A cocktail smoker traps a puff of wood smoke over a glass so the drink picks up a toasty, campfire edge in about 30 seconds. It's the easiest way to make a home Old Fashioned taste like a bar version, and it's one of the most popular gifts of the season. These are the kits worth buying.
Our picks at a glance
- Best overall: ComboJoy Whiskey Smoker Kit with Torch
- Best premium gift: Aged & Charred Premium Cocktail Smoker Kit
- Best budget: Aumpkin Cocktail Smoker Kit
- Best handheld: Breville Smoking Gun
- Best no-flame option: Electric cocktail smoker (butane-free)
1. ComboJoy Whiskey Smoker Kit with Torch
Best for: A complete gift that's ready to use
ComboJoy's kit comes up again and again as the most-reviewed set in this category, and it's a complete package: smoker top, torch, six wood chip flavors, two glasses and two ice ball molds. Open the box, add butane and you're making smoked drinks.
What we like
- Glasses and ice molds included
- Six wood flavors to experiment with
- Strong owner reviews
Keep in mind
- Butane sold separately
3. Aumpkin Cocktail Smoker Kit
Best for: Trying smoked cocktails for less
Aumpkin's oak smoker kit covers the basics (smoker top, torch, wood chips and small tools) for less money than the gift-box sets. It's a smart pick for a Secret Santa or for trying the hobby before upgrading.
What we like
- Low price for a full kit
- Oak construction
Keep in mind
- No glasses or ice molds
- Butane not included
4. Breville Smoking Gun
Best for: Smoking food and drinks beyond one glass
Instead of a lid that sits on one glass, the Breville Smoking Gun is a handheld smoker with a hose. You can fill a pitcher, a cloche, a bowl of butter or a plate of cheese with smoke. It's the most versatile tool here and the favorite of people who use smoke in cooking, not just cocktails.
What we like
- Smokes food, pitchers and plates
- No butane torch needed
- Trusted kitchen brand
Keep in mind
- No glasses or gift extras
- Pricier than lid-style kits
5. Electric cocktail smoker (butane-free)
Best for: People who'd rather skip the torch
Rechargeable electric smokers, from brands like Smokpub, light the chips with a heating element instead of a torch. No butane to buy, no open flame on the bar cart. They're a good fit for apartments and for anyone nervous about torches.
What we like
- USB rechargeable, no butane
- Safer for small spaces
Keep in mind
- Newer category; quality varies by brand
Lid kit or handheld smoker?
Lid kits sit on top of a glass. You load chips into the chimney, light them, set it on the glass and wait 15–30 seconds. They look great and make the best gifts.
Handheld smokers like the Breville push smoke through a hose. They work on anything you can cover, which makes them better for food.
If it's a gift for a whiskey drinker, get a lid kit. If it's for a cook, get a handheld.
Which wood for which drink
| Wood | Flavor | Try it with |
|---|---|---|
| Oak | Classic, toasty | Old Fashioned, Manhattan |
| Cherry | Sweet, fruity | Bourbon, rum, Boulevardier |
| Apple | Light, sweet | Whiskey sour, cider cocktails |
| Hickory | Bold, bacon-like | Rye, smoked Bloody Mary |
| Pecan | Nutty, mellow | Bourbon, coffee cocktails |
| Mesquite | Strong, earthy | Mezcal and tequila drinks (use sparingly) |
How to smoke an Old Fashioned
- Build the drink in a rocks glass: 2 oz bourbon or rye, a sugar cube or 1/4 oz simple syrup, 2 dashes of bitters, and a big ice cube.
- Fill the smoker chimney with a pinch of oak or cherry chips.
- Light the chips with the torch for a few seconds until they smolder.
- Set the smoker on the glass and let the smoke sit for 15–30 seconds.
- Lift, garnish with an orange peel and serve.
Start short. Too much smoke tastes like an ashtray, and you can always add more on the next round.
Safety tips
- Torch away from your body and anything flammable.
- Let the smoker top cool before packing it away.
- Keep butane upright and away from heat.
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