Smoke infusing is a unique and tasteful way to add a smoky flavor to your food and even cocktails. This method involves using smoke from wood chips, herbs, or other natural materials to add and enhance the taste and flavor of your food and drinks. In this article, we’ll talk about how it began and its impact today as a modern trend from the olden days.

A Smoking History

While there is no specific timeline that sets the record for when smoke infusing started. It was believed that distilling in Scotland began in the 18th century. Peat, an earthy soil-like substance that comes from decomposed vegetable matter, was the first smoke flavor to have been infused into a spirit. It was used to dry Barley in the early days. The dried barley then absorbs the peaty odor. In 1950, peat may have been the best fuel alternative for Whisky production in Islay, and other areas in Scotland with very few fuel sources. 

How the Trend Began

Eben Freemen, then working as a barkeep at Manhattan Taylor’s in New York, started the smoky trend in 2007 when he infused a coke and a bourbon with a smoked cherry and alder wood. Since then, many have been in awe of the distinct effect of smoke infusing into drinks. Many have tried the technique and explored various flavors and wood chips that birthed the now many types of smoke infusers.

How Does it Work?

Smoke infusing can be used to add a smoky flavor to drinks, such as cocktails and spirits. This is done by exposing the drink to smoke from wood chips or herbs or by adding a smoky flavor to the drink through the use of a smoke gun.

You must use a smoke infuser to start smoking and infusing your cocktails. Different types of smoke infusers are available in the market, including electric smoke infusers, handheld smoke infusers, and even DIY smoke infusers that can be made at home.

When using a smoke infuser, it is always wise to choose the right type of wood chips or herbs to infuse your drinks. Some popular selections include mesquite, hickory, apple wood, and alder wood. Herbs such as rosemary, thyme, and sage can also be used to infuse your cocktails with a smoky flavor.

Smoke Infusers

PolyScience Breville Gun Pro Smoke Infuser, Commercial, 0.5 Oz, Black

A smoke handheld gun for an easy smoke flavor infusion to your meat, desserts, and cocktails! It’s a one-piece gun with a removable smoking chamber, an extended nozzle hose, and a built-in heavy-duty blower fan weighing 2.04 lbs., perfect for any kind of smoking technique. 

Gramercy Kitchen & Co Cocktail Smoker Kit

A portable smoking device that fits anywhere. It’s an 11.2 ounces smoke infusion machine that includes smoke screen replacements, a cleaning brush, and a detachable smoke hose for an easy infusion! All you have to do is prepare your cocktail, insert the extended hose, and cover. They ignite the chips, wait for a bit and reveal that freshly smoked cocktail.

Homia Smoking Gun Wood Smoke Infuser Birner PRO

A complete all-in-one set for your absolute smoked cocktail drinking experience. The package includes a smoking gun with a convenient stand, a flexible extended hose, a disk lid, four kinds of wood chips, a nozzle for bubbles, extra mesh, tweezers, a screwdriver, and a smoking bubble mixture! Smoking your cocktails will definitely leave your guests in awe, seeing some gorgeous bubbles served in their drinks.

AnchorChef Cocktail Bubble Maker, Flavour Blaster Cocktail Smoker Kit

Easy to carry smoke infuser that includes bubble mixture for a more fun way of smoking and serving your cocktails. The handheld machine uses aromatic oils as a flavor, and what’s even cooler? It does not need to be ignited, and no burning of wood chips is needed! The set includes a smoking gun, five scented aroma oils, bubble water, and a spare essential oil storage glass. 

MITBAK Cocktail Smoker with Dome Lid and Woodchips

This indoor smoke infuser is perfect for your delicious food and cocktails. The sleek design that can infuse smokey flavor for seconds comes with a smoke infuser, wood chips, a dome lid for a more aesthetic and easy way of infusing, a rechargeable cable, a burn chamber, a detachable hose, and a tweezer. It’s everything you need for an exceptional smokey drink that you deserve.

Smoke infusing is a fun and delicious way to add a smoky flavor to your food and drinks. Whether you are a professional chef or a home cook, smoke infusing is a great way to enhance the flavor of your food and drinks and take your culinary creations to the next level.