We Tested the Best co*cktail Smokers—Here Are the Results (2024)

Smoking a co*cktail was once a trick limited to fancy bars with mixologists who like to put on a show. You can still find smoked co*cktails in these establishments, but nowadays, it’s also something you can do at home.

co*cktail smokers can be easy and affordable or complicated and expensive, but the basic idea behind them is simple. You put some kind of combustible wood chip or sawdust into the device, light it, and allow the smoke to infuse your drink, usually after putting it into a box or underneath a dome. You can smoke a simple glass of whiskey, a classic drink like an Old Fashioned, or any popular co*cktail you can think of. The result depends on what type of wood you’re burning and for how long, but it can often add layers of savory flavors to your drink of choice.

If you’re looking for a versatile smoker, this smoking gun from Breville is the best overall option. At around $100, it’s not the cheapest, but it makes up for it with its reliability and efficiency.

During testing, we found this device to be well-made. It was packaged neatly, the instructions were clear, and all the parts were clearly laid out, well-labeled, and neatly packaged. It had everything to get started—including batteries—and requires a pretty minimal setup. During testing, this was incredibly simple to use—once we attached the tube and started up the smoker, we were smoking a co*cktail within minutes of the unit arriving.

While we found this smoker to be one of the easiest to use, it did take some trial and error to receive a smooth stream of smoke. The first few times we tested, the smoke was a bit tough to control. But, once we got the hang of it, it was a smooth smolder.

This smoker came with several different types of wood chips and some replacement screens, and because the design is intuitive, we found the results dependable and consistent. You can use this device to smoke a variety of co*cktails, such as a (plus snacks, fish, meat, and other foods), and it’s easy to store and clean once you are finished using it. Plus, the battery-powered unit doesn’t require butane or any other propellant—just a match or lighter. This makes it extra portable, as well.

A couple of caveats, however: this unit isn't ideal for batching co*cktails, and it comes with a very small amount of wood chips, so you might need to have a backup if you plan on smoking a lot of co*cktails.

Since our first round of testing, we have since tested the PolyScience Breville The Smoking Gun Pro. As the name implies, this model is geared toward the professional cook, which is noticed even before use by the way it is packaged: less gift-worthy and more functional. That being said, our tester found it easy to use. The PolyScience unit features a dial to adjust the smoke, while the Smoking Gun uses a switch; the dial allows for a much smaller amount of smoke and more control. The PolyScience Breville The Smoking Gun Pro does cost a little bit more, but our tester said it seems like it should be priced closer to $300, so you are getting great value.

Fuel Source: Match/lighter | Power Source: Batteries | Portability: Yes

If you’re looking for a cheaper option, check out this smoking gun from TMKEFFC. This gun is small and battery-operated but does the job well and for far cheaper than many other options out there; it's efficient. Add your wood chips or whatever material you are using to the top of the device, light it, cover the lid of the glass, and allow the smoke to travel down the hose to infuse your co*cktail with rich campfire flavors. This smoker works by placing the smoking tube directly in the glass, so it requires minimal counter space.

In our tests, we found this budget option came packaged in a budget manner—just cardboard and brown paper wrapping each part, and the woodchips came in a small plastic bag. The unit also didn't arrive with batteries—those will have to be purchased separately. We also found the instructions challenging during testing—they felt translated haphazardly from another language—but once we sifted through some YouTube and Instagram tutorials, we found this unit quite easy to use. It was similar to the Breville in how you're fueling the smoke via a match.

Unlike the Breville model, we liked that there was a small plate with a fan to place over the drink. With the Breville unit, the best form of smoking is to flip the glass over and smoke before making the drink (or place the tube in your shaker tin). We found we could smoke a complete co*cktail with this unit, thanks to the small plate that fits over a glass—but that it was only usable with co*cktails. Ultimately, this is a great entry-level option that takes up very little space, which makes it portable, too.

Fuel Source: Match/lighter | Power Source: Batteries | Portability: Yes

This smoking gun and glass cloche kit is a great way to show off your bartending skills in style. The base is made from black walnut, and the bell top is all glass, allowing your drink to be on display as the star of the show.

Our tester appreciated that there was a bit of pizzazz to this unit. If you’re one for making co*cktails for guests, this adds a bit of showmanship to smoking co*cktails. The larger cloche is spacious enough not just for Old Fashioned glasses (note that many units only fit a rocks glass) but also coupe glasses, Martini glasses, highball glasses, and other co*cktail vessels.

This was the best-performing unit we tested. As soon as we flipped the switch, it poured out smooth, consistent smoke. We found the gun easily attached to the box and filled the inside with smoke, adding layers of intensity to the co*cktail. Once it was filled, we simply lifted the cloche to remove the drink, and we were ready to sip and enjoy. The smoke was consistent, though because the bowl was so large, it took quite a lot of smoke to impart any flavor. We liked that it was large enough to smoke multiple drinks at once, however. Just be aware that the tube tends to kink easily, and the unit itself takes up a lot of space.

Fuel Source: Match/lighter | Power Source: Batteries | Portability: No

This co*cktail smoking kit from Mitbak has everything you need to whip up some excellent smoked co*cktails, like a Smoke Break, including a smoke infuser, smoking gun, wood chips, dome lid, and recharger cable. (The rechargeable aspect is a nice touch.)

While testing, we found the packaging to be incredibly thoughtful. Everything was carefully placed in specific spaces in Styrofoam, and it was very sturdy–we wouldn't worry about this breaking during shipping. We also liked that the box was sturdy enough to double as a place to store the smoker when not using it; it's not the most easily transportable set-up so you'll need to find a spot for storage.

Our tester appreciated how easy this was to use; there's pretty much no learning curve involved. Simply place your glass (or plate—there’s plenty of space) under the dome, rev up the gun, light the wood, and within an instance, you’re getting big pillows of smoke.

It was easy to use and effective, and while this kit ranks up with some of the other options in terms of cost, we consider it worth it. With this kit, you don’t need to buy any supplemental equipment—it all comes as part of a set, and the quality of the materials is very good.We liked that the unit was adaptable for co*cktails and food.We found, however, it does have a couple of flaws, including the size of the cloche (it's not large enough to accommodate larger glasses such as highballs and coupes) and the quality of the chips.

Fuel Source: Match/lighter | Power Source: Charging cable | Portability: No

Related: The Best co*cktail Shakers, According to Experts

If you have not tried smoking a co*cktail before, you’ll probably want to find a kit with everything included, preferably one that doesn’t have a steep learning curve. Smoke Boards is a good option for the novice home bartender because the kit contains everything you’ll need: a butane torch, a mason jar to cover the drink, a board to set it on, several different types of good-quality wood chips in large quantities, and a carrying case in which to pack it all up if you want to take the kit on the go (think: backyard barbecues) or store in a cabinet. This is really one of the easiest smoking kits to practice with and learn how to create your own smoked co*cktail concoctions, but note that this can't be used with food.

Our tester appreciated that this kit can be packed in a bag and put away compactly when not in use. She found the butane torch difficult to use, but once she got the hang of it, it was efficient and reliable. Note that butane can be dangerous to use, so proceed with caution.

Fuel Source: Butane | Power Source: Butane | Portability: Yes

Related: The Best Ice Makers

This new smoking box comes from the smoker and grill company Oklahoma Joe’s and feels like it's great for those who are into BBQ. Our tester found this to be a sturdy unit, beautifully grained and stained (it's made with the same white oak used for whiskey and bourbon barrels) and carefully constructed. She appreciated the very smart design, from the fuel tray that slides out to the door to easily access your chips. It’s compact but big enough for one drink, so you can bring it with you on the go (note that you’ll need a lighter and wood chips as well).

While testing, our tester found it fairly difficult to light the chips, which she borrowed from another unit since they were not included. She tried with a butane torch, then with a match, and still had difficulty getting a consistent burn. She liked the appearance, however, and the fact that you're containing the smoke in the box rather than trying to smoke a glass. One other bonus for this particular smoker and one of the reasons we liked it for co*cktails? You can customize the levels of smoke. Keep in mind, however, that you can only smoke one drink at a time.

Fuel Source: Match/lighter | Power Source: N/A | Portability: Yes

Related: The Best Flasks