Best Old Fashioned Smoker Kit: Here's What You'll Need

Life is too short to drink bland, boring cocktails. That's why smoking has become such a popular method of cooking, adding rich, complex flavors to drinks, cocktails, and even meat and fruit—all with a little bit of smoke and a lot of patience.

But what do you need to build the best old fashioned smoker kit? In this guide, we'll take you through everything you need to get to build your kit and make sure your drinks taste great. From choosing the right type of cocktail smoker to the best wood chips, we have you covered.

What is an Old Fashioned?

An old fashioned cocktail is a classic cocktail that has been around for many years. It is typically made with whiskey, sugar, bitters, and a twist of citrus peel.

To make an old fashioned, you will need the following ingredients:

• 2 ounces of whiskey (traditionally, rye whiskey is used, but you can also use bourbon)
• One sugar cube (or 1/2 teaspoon of simple syrup)
• 2-3 dashes of aromatic bitters (such as Angostura bitters)
• Orange peel and maraschino cherry for garnish (optional)

To make the cocktail:

• Place the sugar cube (or simple syrup) in the bottom of a mixing glass or old fashioned glass.
• Add the bitters and a splash of water and muddle the ingredients together until the sugar is dissolved.
• Add the whiskey and a few ice cubes and stir well.
• Strain the mixture into a chilled old fashioned glass and garnish with an orange peel and a maraschino cherry, if desired.

Enjoy!

The old fashioned is one of the earliest and simplest versions of cocktails before the creation of more sophisticated bartending techniques and ingredients. It is a timeless classic that has remained popular throughout the years, and it is often seen as a benchmark for other cocktails. 

Many bartenders and cocktail enthusiasts consider the Old Fashioned to be the perfect example of a well-balanced cocktail, with a harmonious blend of sweet, bitter, and spirituous flavors. Whether you prefer your Old Fashioned with rye whiskey or bourbon, this classic cocktail is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Old Fashioned Smoking Kit vs Buying Everything Separately

Smoking a cocktail was once a reserve of patrons who frequented high-end bars and restaurants. The old fashioned cocktail smoking kit is a popular choice for those looking to elevate their cocktail experience.

These kits are typically composed of a type of cocktail smoker,  wood chips, torch, and some with butane. Many of the kits out there DO NOT come with a torch the butane required to fuel the torch, so keep that in mind, or you can just buy our complete Old Fashioned Smoke Top Kit. 😉

The popularity of cocktail smokers can be attributed to the rise in craft cocktails and the desire for unique and sophisticated experiences. The smoke added an additional layer of flavor and aroma to the cocktail, making it a truly sensory experience.

Buying Each Piece Separately

However, for those who are interested in exploring the world of cocktail smoking, there is the option of buying everything separately. This can be a hassle, as it requires sourcing and purchasing each individual component, but it also allows for a greater level of customization.

You can choose your own wood chips to create a unique smoke flavor, as well as invest in a high-quality smoke top and burner or heating device.

While buying everything separately may take more effort and cost more upfront, it allows for a more personalized and tailored experience. It's a perfect option for those who have very specific requirements for how their cocktail is smoked.

Overall, whether you choose the convenience of an old fashioned cocktail smoking kit or the customization of buying everything separately, the experience of smoking a cocktail can be a memorable and enjoyable one.

Things You'll Need to Build Your Kit

When building your old fashioned smoker kit, you'll want to get the right accessories and ingredients in order to achieve the desired result. Knowing what to get in advance will go a long way in making your DIY mixology projects a lot easier and more fun. Now, let's get on with what exactly you'll need to build your very own cocktail smoking kit.

1. A Whiskey Smoker

Of course, you'll need a high-quality whiskey smoker to build an effective and robust old fashioned smoking kit. After tons of research and subsequent tests, we can confidently say that we recommend the Aged and Charred Cocktail Smoker as the best smoking device if you are building your own old fashioned smoking kit. It is one of the most convenient cocktail smokers to use and comes with everything you need to smoke a cocktail easily and reliably.

This whiskey smoker is perfect for bringing a smoky flavor or aroma to your mixology creations! The elegant Aged and Charred Cocktail Smoker brings the perfect finishing touch to your drink in no time. This old fashioned smoker is designed to the perfect size to smoke your drinks with a lot of ease and convenience.

2. Ingredients

Bourbon Whiskey

Make sure to get your best bottle of bourbon when making smoked old fashioned cocktails. We highly recommend spending over $30 on a good bourbon whiskey, if possible. Some of our favorite picks include Weller's Special Reserve or Buffalo Trace.

Simple Syrup

This is a very crucial ingredient and will make all the difference to the final result. We suggest mixing your simple syrup with spices, herbs, and fruit slices. You can take your pick based on your unique preferences, but honey, ginger, cinnamon, chocolate, maple syrup, cherry, apple, lemon peel, and orange peel and all excellent choices for this drink.

You should let these ingredients soak in the simple syrup for at least a full day for the best result. Match and mix the aromas to find the perfect flavored syrup for your smoked old fashioned cocktails.

Bitters

Angostura aromatic bitters are the best choice for smoked old fashioned cocktails. A few dashes and the flavor of the cocktail will have you craving more.

Luxardo or Maraschino Cherries

Mix a bit of simple syrup with one or two cherries. Cherries are loved by many whiskey aficionados because of their simple but elegant taste.

Smoke

Smoke is the final but most important ingredient, as it is what makes a smoked old fashioned cocktail unique and exceptional. If you are entertaining guests or enjoying quality time with your loved ones, we recommend always smoking your cocktails for a remarkable and memorable experience.

3. Whiskey Cube Trays

Last but not least, you will need some whiskey cube trays in order to have your ice cubes ready when you need them. Nothing complements a smoked old fashioned like a few ice cubes to make the drink all that more tantalizing.

Conclusion

So, you now know how to build your very own old fashioned smoking kit from scratch. It's important to remember that the choice on whether to buy a complete all-in-one smoking kit or to build your own kit largely depends on what you are ultimately looking to achieve. If you want to add some class and sophistication to your drinking experience, we highly recommend choosing to do the latter. All the best!