The cocktails you drink don’t have to have simple flavors, even if the process to make them is simple. All cocktails, especially the classic ones like the old fashioned, can be enhanced with innovative flavors that keep the integrity of the drink intact.
While some cocktails have evolved with different fruits or liqueurs, one flavor has sparked a mixed drink movement: smoke.
Adding smoke to your cocktails can add a nostalgic touch to your evenings reminiscent of sitting around a campfire.
This can be done with a cocktail smoker kit, but not all of these devices are made the same.
We’ll be taking a look at several cocktail smokers to see which are the best for an old fashioned, the best for any drink, and the best cocktail smoker overall based on our findings.
The 5 Best Whiskey Smoker Kits in 2023 by Category
Each of the cocktail smoking kits in the list is examined based on several variables, including their designs, cost, effectiveness, and customer feedback. Despite the vast amount of cocktail smokers online and in stores, we’ve narrowed it down to these five products.
Note: this article contains affiliate links, meaning if you click and purchase, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Best Old Fashioned Smoker Kit
If there’s one drink that pairs well with smoke, it’s the old fashioned. These drink smokers are the top of the line for this sophisticated cocktail, each with their own unique selling and smoking point.
1. Aged and Charred
A drink as timeless as the old fashioned deserves a smoking kit that carries the same rustic spirit, and the Aged and Charred Smoking Kit is certainly up to the task.
This product is the brainchild of a few friends from North Kansas City who were looking to take the concept of smoking kits to the next level.
Aged and Charred features multiple smoking kit options ranging from $89 to $239 at the time of this writing, with their signature smoking kit being $99.
This whiskey smoker kit includes an oak smoke lid, a four-burner torch, wood chips, and butane for fuel. The tapered design makes it ideal for any glass, including the rocks glass for your old fashioned.
Using the Aged and Charred Smoking Kit is simple: just place the smoke lid on top of your drink, put in the wood chips, and begin heating with the torch’s thumb trigger.
The flavor created does not overshadow the spirit, sugar, or bitters in the old fashioned, but rather fills a gap for the drink that you may not have known existed.
Aged and Charred routinely receive 5-star reviews on their website, with most customers enjoying its easy design, its versatility with multiple glass sizes, and the lingering flavor it leaves in an old fashioned that resembles the great outdoors.
The gift box itself is also mentioned frequently as eye-catching as the smoke effect, and we certainly have to agree.
2. Foghat Cocktail Smoker
The equipment you use in the kitchen or at the bar should have quality assurance, meaning that its concept, construction, and testing should be vetted by industry leaders who strive for perfection. With the Foghat Cocktail Smoking Kit, it surpasses all expectations.
From the Thousand Oaks Barrel Co., in Manassas, Virginia, this product currently sells for $69.95 for just the smoker kit, $89.95 with a fuelless torch, or $99.95 for the full ensemble.
Our focus is on the last version, which features a handspun white oak smoker and a cleaning brush to keep you and your drinks neat. However, it is their selection of wood chips that they boast about the most, touting their curation as gourmet and in conjunction with the finest chefs and bartenders in the UK and Europe.
Each set of wood chips is air dried and lightly toasted prior to packaging to accentuate the flavor profiles, with popular variations including whiskey barrel oak, red wine barrel, and old hickory wood available to purchase from Thousand Oak Barrel Co. directly or from their Amazon page.
The Foghat Cocktail Smoking Kit sits comfortably at 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon, and customers are raving about how well the wood chips pair with the old fashioned and adds a “great aroma to the room.”
Best Cocktail Smoker Kits for Any Drink
While the old fashioned is a prime drink to include smoke, other cocktails can benefit from this exhilarating flavor just as well. To do that, we recommend these cocktail smokers.
3. Breville Smoking Gun
If you’re looking for clear evidence of how versatile a smoking kit can be, then look no further. The Breville Smoking Gun has perhaps the simplest design of these featured kits but its ability to provide flavor stands out.
Currently, at $99.95 on most retail sites, this product includes an integrated stand, a silicone extender hose, and a stainless steel burn chamber.
While the other smokers generate warm smoke, the Breville Smoking Gun uses a cold smoke system to delicately apply the flavor. This also means that it’s gentle for spirits that you enjoy on the rocks.
With that said, the smoking gun does not have its own heating element, so you will need to light it with a match or lighter.
The Breville Smoking Gun is just shy of 5 stars on Amazon, but it has received hundreds of positive reviews. Customers have responded positively to the “clean smoke” it produces, as well as the simplicity of its design for novices and expert cocktail enthusiasts.
4. Crafthouse by Fortessa Smoking Box
Who doesn’t love a good luxury item? Sometimes the tasks you need to do need some additional flair, and the Crafthouse by Fortessa Smoking Box is perhaps the best example of sophistication meeting efficiency.
Coming in at $298.85 as of this writing, this might be the Rolls-Royce of cocktail smoking kits. Visually, it is eye-catching, and that’s without starting it.
It features glass and stainless steel frames that support double-sided pass-through doors, giving you a thorough look as the smoke is spread through the drinks.
A walnut base creates a sturdy place to sit your glass and provides a nice contrast between the modern framing and concept. The handheld smoker allows for wood smoking chips among other spices and herbs that can complement your drink.
A larger version of the Smoking Box is also available if you need to smoke more than one drink at once.
This product is currently at 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon, so the other products on this list are rated higher. However, those who have left positive reviews are thrilled with the results, with customers citing its usage as a talking point at parties along with the speed at which the flame sparks.
The Best Cocktail Smoker On the Go
When you’re on the move, you want to make sure that your tools are secure without being a nuisance to carry. Luckily, this whiskey smoker can give you the flavor you want and the space you need.
5. Smoke Boards Smoked Cocktail Kit
A variable that’s mentioned throughout the previous cocktail smoking kits is how effective it is to store among the rest of your bar and kitchen equipment. With this goal, the Smoke Boards Smoked Cocktail Kit delivers.
This drink smoker kit is on sale for $99 on Amazon and also strives for a design that’s not complicated. Along with a butane torch, the kit includes an American oak smoke board, a mason jar mixing glass, and pecan, cherry, and apple wood chips for a diverse flavor profile.
However, the big draw for the Smoke Boards Smoked Cocktail Kit is the compact bag that carries all of these components, meaning that you can take your new or established drink smoking skills with you wherever and whenever.
To use, you just light the wood chips on the board, place the glass on top, pour your drink into the glass, then shake to mix – a departure from the other methods of smoking mentioned above.
At 4.6 stars, this product is popular among customers and whiskey enthusiasts. Among the common high points are the multiple wood chip options, the convenient travel bag, and how well it works with the old fashioned.
The Best Overall Cocktail Smoker Kit
After much thought and research, there’s only one cocktail smoker kit that stands out above the rest, and it’s undoubtedly the Aged and Charred Smoker.
We’ve explained in detail how this product is unique, but its high points cannot be overstated. Its easy setup makes it very user-friendly for both novice and experienced bartenders, while the price point is perfect for those who are looking for something high-quality without breaking the bank.
Add in the tapered lid for various glass sizes along with the four-burner torch for precise lighting and you’ll definitely find the Aged and Charred Smoker Kit to be the ideal addition to your bar or as a gift.
The best cocktail is the one in your hands, and the next best one is enhanced by smoke from an effective smoking kit.
Whether you choose the Aged and Charred Smoker Kit or any of the other fantastic products above, just know that you’re getting connected to nature with every sip.
The Ultimate Guide to Upgrading Your Home Cocktail Game with a Smoker Lid
Ah, the seductive dance of smoke wafting from a freshly poured cocktail. For those of you aspiring to elevate your at-home mixology, the cocktail smoker lid is your ticket to that opulent smoky nirvana.
With a bevy of options shimmering on store shelves, how do you pick the diamond from the rough? Dive in as we serve the deets on cocktail smoker lids that’ll take your home bar from nay to YAY!
1. Durability: The Strong Spine of Your Smoker Lid
For all you fabulous hosts and cocktail connoisseurs making smoky concoctions on the regular – your smoker lid is bound to see some action. And action demands strength! Look out for materials that laugh in the face of warping or rusting.
A tip from the top? Stainless steel is your forever friend. Beyond materials, give a nod to the construction. Hinges, handles, and other moving parts should be solid, secure, and ready for those cocktail nights that turn into mornings.
Durable lids are the real MVPs – offering consistent smokiness, sip after sip.
2. Quality: It’s All in the Seal
While durability and quality are two peas in a pod, the seal of your smoker lid is where the magic (or tragedy) happens. A top-notch lid seals in that sultry smoke, ensuring your drink gets a full-bodied infusion, making every sip a smoky embrace.
Less smoke escaping means fewer wood chips or herbs wasted – win-win! Ease of use is the cherry on top. No one wants to wrestle with a lid when there’s a cocktail waiting.
Those in the know? They opt for lids lauded by professionals or ones with rave reviews about build and function.
3. Value: Get the Bang for Your Buck
While it’s tempting to either penny-pinch or splurge like you’ve won the lottery, remember – it’s about getting the most glamour for your gold.
Don’t just eye the price tag; it’s the dance between what you shell out and the stellar performance you get in return.
Keep an eye out for snazzy features – think adjustable vents or easy-peasy cleaning. A swanky accessory or two doesn’t hurt either.
4. Style: Make a Statement with Your Cocktail Smoker Kit
Your cocktail smoker isn’t just a tool; it’s an accessory/
Whether your home bar vibes are “sleek and chic” or “retro and fabulous,” there’s a lid to match your flair. Take a moment to admire finishes, colors, and designs – after all, a cocktail is as much about presentation as it is about taste.
There you have it, cocktail aficionados! Armed with this guide, may your cocktails be ever smoky and your parties legendary. Cheers! 🍸
