Cocktail Smoker For Your Whiskey — Fancy Trick Or Total Waste?

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Among the ways to experiment with and enhance cocktails, smoking them is the topic of some debate. On one side, its supporters attest that it elevates the drink's presentation and incorporates further depth into its profile. More than the drink's taste, it also introduces welcoming aromas that complement and lead into the inevitable sip. On the other hand, some believe that there are things to consider before smoking drinks. They find it a potential waste of time and money, as it requires specific tools and the effects are often temporary. Certainly, both sides have some valid points, but it does raise the question of whether smoking a drink is actually worth the effort.

In terms of rewards, smoking drinks can add visual character to the overall presentation. The integration of smoke into a cocktail can result in an impressive, show-stopping experience. This is best exemplified in drinks like Gordon Ramsay's Smoke on the Boulevard at Hell's Kitchen, where the bartenders fill a lantern containing the beverage with smoke before serving it to patrons. The smoke's presence creates an enticing visual, as if beckoning to be sipped as the smoke wafts over the beverage like a magic potion.

Moving past the aesthetics, smoking drinks can upgrade beverages to have a velvety texture, as well as umami notes that play in tandem with the garnish or wood chip being used. This overall combination potentially takes whoever's imbibing the drink on a multisensory journey that checks just about every box of the culinary experience.

Of course, some disagree that smoking cocktails is a worthwhile venture. According to the cocktail community on Reddit, some people find it difficult to actually infuse the smoke with the drink's ingredients. Additionally, others find it played out and gimmicky. Another user posted a concern about the varying cost of a home cocktail smoking kit, which makes sense considering the cost can range from $12 for a basic smoking kit without a kitchen torch to around $200, depending on the preferred smoking device.

Additionally, as enjoyable as a smoked drink is, some bartenders agree that it's more about the initial presentation, as the flavor notes quickly soften and diminish over time. With that in mind, not all cocktails take to smoke equally. In many cases, whiskeys, brown and dark rums, and tequila would benefit best, meaning a classic Old-Fashioned could be easily upgraded with a little smoke. 

Admittedly, most of the smoking options also require a proper heat source and the right aromatic, like an orange rind or a cinnamon stick— and that's without considering what it's being lit on. Thankfully, there's quite a selection of great cocktail smokers out there, as well as kits like Aged and Charred's Whiskey Smoker Kit on Amazon. These can provide home mixologists with everything needed, including flavored wood chips, a kitchen torch, and butane fuel. Ultimately, whether smoking a drink is worthwhile or not is up to the individual. It makes sense to at least try it, no matter where you end up.