The Best Cocktail Smokers In 2023
While infusing liquors with smoky flavors and aromas was once the prerogative of fancy cocktail bars, anybody these days can add a finishing touch to their beverage with a cocktail smoker right in the comfort of their own home. From simple glass lid tops to more elaborate dome set-ups, cocktail smokers are available in various designs and sizes. "When you smoke a cocktail, it entices multiple senses. Not only does it look great and smell amazing, but it also gives the drinker a unique 3D experience. It's almost like you're tasting the spirit itself," per Can Can Beer Wine and Spirits Awards.
Cocktail smokers are also great conversation-starters. It seems that there's something fascinating about watching an adult beverage transform right in front of our eyes. As such, you can rest assured that your guests are bound to appreciate both the dazzling display and a touch of wood-fired smoke in their boozy creations. And smokers don't just add depth to your favorite cocktails. They can also be used to add a new twist to your favorite culinary creations, whether those might be desserts, cheeses, or appetizers. And if you're stuck for a gift idea for your spouse, a family member, or a friend, cocktail smokers make great presents.
Ready to take your cocktail-making craft to the next level? Check out our list of the best cocktail smokers in 2023.
How we selected products
From old fashioneds and Manhattans to something more simple such as whiskey on the rocks, smoke rinsing can bring a whole new dimension to your beverage. Not only does it add character and depth to cocktails, but it also lets you customize them with different flavor variations. All you have to do is select the type of wood flakes for your smoker and the length of time you infuse your drink.
With an increasing interest in home mixology, the market has been flooded with cocktail smokers. Unfortunately, there are plenty of lousy products out there just waiting to trip you up and take your money. Not to worry, however. To help you select the perfect cocktail smoker for your specific needs, we scoured the internet to find the best gadgets for your home bar. We also consulted both expert and community reviews to ensure that our selection mirrors the opinions of those who have actually tested the products.
When composing our list of the best cocktail smokers on the market, we took into account a number of factors. For starters, we looked at each gadget's power source — smokers can be battery-operated, rechargeable, or fueled with wood chips. Next, we zeroed in on each smoker's materials, whether it be wood, stainless steel, or even ceramic. We included the price for those budget-conscious consumers. Lastly, we considered each infuser's size, which can be important if you want to smoke multiple cocktails at the same time.
Best overall cocktail smoker
Designed for both professional bartenders and amateur mixologists, the PolyScience Breville pro smoke infuser lets you imbue your cocktails with mouth-watering flavors. Made from stainless steel and battery-operated, the smoke gun features a robust stand and removable anodized aluminum burn chamber and barrel — both of which are dishwasher-safe. Plus, the gadget lets you customize fan speed for varying degrees of smokiness. The PolyScience Breville pro smoke infuser comes with a 17.5-inch silicone hose with a nozzle that delivers the smoke exactly where you need it as well as hickory and applewood wood chips (via Amazon).
Wired rates the PolyScience Breville pro smoke infuser a 9 out of 10, calling the gadget "showy and fun." And while the platform highlights that an infuser isn't a necessity in every kitchen, it also praises the PolyScience Breville smoker for its stable base, variable speeds, and durability.
Amazon shoppers agree that the PolyScience Breville pro smoke infuser is a worthwhile investment, giving it an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars. One buyer praises the product, saying, "I used this specifically for smoking drinks, incredible amount of smoke and extremely great flavors from the smoke. ... High grade materials used, simple to clean, easy to adjust flow." On the downside, some reviewers complain about the product's price tag, speculating that they could have purchased a comparable product for less.
At the time of this writing, you can purchase the PolyScience Breville pro smoke infuser from Amazon starting at $149.95.
Best budget cocktail smoker
Costing about $30, the TMKEFFC smoking gun II is a great investment and a great value for those eager to concoct imaginative cocktails without making a substantial financial commitment. The stainless steel smoker comes with pretty much all you need to start imbuing your beverages with smoke. This includes a smoker with a rubber tube, a smoke nozzle, applewood chips, a glass cover, and two mesh screen replacements. The TMKEFFC smoking gun II is powered by two AA batteries (via Amazon).
In addition to its affordable price, the TMKEFFC smoking gun II has received solid ratings on various platforms, garnering 8.3 out of 10 stars on Best Views Review and 4.4 out of 5 stars from over 775 Amazon shoppers. One happy Amazon customer says, "We had a smoked cocktail at an upper-end restaurant a few weeks ago, and my husband was intrigued. He decided this would be his theatrical prop when we had guests. ... It is very easy use and clean, and takes up next to no space in the bar area." Another Amazon user called it a find, saying, "wish I would have found sooner." On the downside, some buyers complain that the smoker can be tricky to use, with one Amazon shopper saying, "Holding the cover on the drink and holding the fan button is a challenge for one person."
At the time of this writing, you can purchase the TMKEFFC smoking gun II from Amazon starting at $29.99.
Best cocktail smoker for a splurge
While it may be a little pricey for the average cocktail enthusiast, the Crafthouse by Fortessa professional smoker is nothing short of a showstopper. Composed of a smoking gun with a tube and a transparent smoking box with a walnut base, the nifty set has been designed in collaboration with Charles Joly, a world champion bartender, James Beard Award winner, and certified mixologist. The smoking gun can be either held by hand or placed on a flat surface. Meanwhile, the glass smoking box with a stainless steel frame is ideal for viewing the infusion process and features double-sided "pass through" doors, per Amazon.
Amazon reviewers have awarded the Crafthouse by Fortessa professional smoker 4.4 out of 5 stars, with many describing it as an exciting addition to their home bar. "Yes there's the taste, but the endless entertainment is priceless!" an Amazon reviewer wrote. Another Amazon shopper, who purchased the smoker for her husband to replicate the experience of the smoked old fashioneds they had at a restaurant, says, "It's easy to set up, easy to use. I do like the smell downstairs in the bar when it's used. Can't wait to offer smoked drinks to guests some day." On the downside, some Amazon buyers complain that the smoker gun stopped working shortly after purchase.
At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Crafthouse by Fortessa professional smoker from Amazon starting at $298.95.
Best top lid-style cocktail smoker
A stylish and compact addition to any home bar, the Thousand Oaks Barrel Foghat cocktail smoking kit makes easy work of infusing your cocktails and liquors with flavors and aromas. Simply place the white oak lid on top of a glass, add some wood chips to the burn chamber, and singe them with the smoking gun. After 15 to 30 seconds, place the top over the smoke lid to trap the smoke in the glass. The Foghat smoking gun runs on butane, which comes in the kit. Also included in the bundle are a tin of bourbon oak flakes, which are made from aged bourbon barrels and contain no chemicals or preservatives (via Amazon).
Overall, Amazon shoppers give favorable marks to the Foghat cocktail smoking kit, rating it 4.6 out of 5 stars. One Amazon buyer says that the gadget was a hit at their Christmas gathering, adding, "This was really fun! I was impressed with the smooth taste of the whiskey after smoking!" While most Amazon reviewers seem impressed with the smoker, some complain that the gadget is a little pricey, with one buyer saying, "This was a great gift to buy my SO, but it is overpriced. It's fun and works great, but it could definitely be cheaper for what it is."
At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Thousand Oaks Barrel Foghat cocktail smoking kit from Amazon starting at $94.95.
Best cocktail smoker for a gift
The Aberdeen Oak cocktail smoker kit makes a great gift for those who like experimenting with their adult beverages. More specifically, the set includes all the essentials to start making smoked cocktails, including a wooden cocktail smoker with a lid, a smoking torch, two mesh screens, and hickory and oak wood chips. The collection also comes with thoughtful extras such as a cleaning brush, three nozzles, stainless steel tongs, two whiskey balls, a velvet freezer pouch, and a stylish gift box (via Amazon).
The Aberdeen Oak cocktail smoker kit has garnered a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars from Amazon buyers, many of whom have purchased the product as a gift. One reviewer, who got the set for her boyfriend, says, "Bought this and a bottle of whiskey from a local distillery and it was a perfect gift. It's very simple to use, and it's a fun way to make a cocktail a bit more interesting or impress friends. Not as fancy as other ones, but a reasonable price for what you're getting." This being said, some shoppers complained that the wood chip tins lacked proper seals and had opened during transit. Manufacturer Aberdeen Oak also pointed out that customers will have to buy the butane to fuel the torch separately from this kit.
At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Aberdeen Oak cocktail smoker kit from Amazon starting at $52.97.
Best portable cocktail smoker
Housed in a handy carrying bag, the Smoke Boards cocktail smoker kit is ultra easy to transport, making it perfect for taking along to parties. No matter the occasion, the set comes with most of the bits and pieces you'll need to make a standout wood-fired cocktail, including an American oak smoke board, an infusion jar, and a refillable torch (butane isn't included). The bundle also comes with enough cherry, pecan, and applewood flakes to whip up 300 cocktails so you're bound to be a hit, no matter the size of the gathering, via Amazon, where consumers gave the kit 4.6 out of 5 stars.
Slightly Pretentious is fond of the Smoke Boards cocktail smoker kit, highlighting that the product bridges the gap between the expensive and the budget smokers. The platform praises the gadget for its effectiveness, pointing out that the accompanying mason jar retains quite a lot of smoke after it's lifted from the smoke board. "I really appreciated this method of just smoking it on the board itself. Not only does it make the process easier, but there's more visual flare involved which makes it a lot of fun to use when hosting guests," the writer enthused. In addition, according to the blog, all of the kit's components fit neatly into the accompanying carry bag, making it easy to both store and transport.
At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Smoke Boards cocktail smoker kit from Amazon starting at $89.99.
Best cocktail smoker for beginners
Ultra easy to use, the battery-powered Gramercy Kitchen Company cocktail smoker kit is perfect for the uninitiated. At just under $60, the gadget is also a great value. Made from aluminum, the smoker comes with an in-built burn chamber and a plastic injection tube. To infuse your favorite cocktails with wood-fired smoke, simply place the tube underneath the edge of an inverted bowl and set the wood chips on fire. Once the bowl is full of smoke, pull the tube out to trap the smoke in the utensil. The smoker bundle comes with wood flakes, a cleaning brush, replacement mesh filters, and a stylish storage bag (via Amazon).
The Gramercy Kitchen Company smoker kit has received an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars from BlackTailNYC and 4.4 out of 5 stars from over 1,900 Amazon customers. One Amazon shopper says the gadget was a hit at their party, adding, "Easy to use. Small [and] easy to clean and put away. The wood gives off a good flavor and yummy smell. You don't need a lot of wood to make this smoke." Another reviewer agrees, commenting, "This is a simple hand smoker. It is not intended for heavy duty work, but for adding smoke flavor to cocktails or a little edge on already roasted or steamed fruits or veggies, this is the perfect tool."
At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Gramercy Kitchen Company cocktail smoker kit from Amazon starting at $59.97.
Best smoking box cocktail smoker
Made from white oak, the Oklahoma Joe's cocktail smoking box is perfect for enhancing the flavor of your favorite cocktails. It's also very easy to use. To add a touch of smoke to your beverage, light some wood flakes on the stainless steel fuel tray, place your cocktail inside the box, close the lid, and position it over the burning wood chips. Each Oklahoma Joe's cocktail smoking box is handcrafted in the U.S. so you can rest assured that your purchase is supporting the local economy, via Amazon.
The Oklahoma Joe's cocktail smoking box is certainly an interesting product, but it hasn't done as well as some other cocktail smokers with Amazon shoppers. While 62% of the platform's reviewers give the product 5 out of 5 stars, others say that while sturdy, the smoking box doesn't come with any accessories, like a torch or any fuel for lighting the wood flakes.
At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Oklahoma Joe's cocktail smoking box from Amazon starting at $59.99.
Best novelty cocktail smoker
If you're looking for a conversation piece for your next gathering, the Anmyox cocktail smoker kit has you covered. Complete with a smoker in the shape of a human skull, the quirky bundle also comes with a butane torch (butane not included), a stainless steel filter, and two cleaning brushes as well as four 20-gram bundles of wood flakes, including cherry, apple, oak, and pecan. Simply add a pinch of wood chips to the chamber located on top of the porcelain clay skull smoker, and watch as your glass becomes infused with rich smoke, via Amazon.
While the Anmyox cocktail smoker kit has been flying under the radar on Amazon, the bundle has received 4.8 out of 5 stars from those who have tried it. One Amazon shopper, who purchased the smoker for her boyfriend, says, "He absolutely loves it. He tried it last night and thinks it is the coolest thing ever. The smoky flavor just adds a little something to the whiskey. He can't wait to pull it out at his next guys night." Another Amazon customer says that the smoker is great for making old fashioneds, adding, "[It comes with] different wood chips to add smoky flavor and a cool little holder and compact design. Great for a party and also makes a nice gift for any bar!"
At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Anmyox cocktail smoker kit from Amazon starting at $49.94.