Breville the Smoking Gun: How to Cold Smoke Cocktails, Cheese, and Desserts

Cold smoking is one of the most exciting ways to add depth and drama to your cooking. Unlike hot smoking, which cooks food, cold smoking infuses delicate ingredients with aromatic smoke without heat, making it perfect for cocktails, cheese, and desserts. The Breville Smoking Gun puts this professional technique within reach of any home cook, letting you create bar-worthy drinks and restaurant-quality dishes in minutes.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to use the Breville Smoking Gun to cold smoke a variety of foods and drinks. We’ll cover the basics, share step-by-step recipes, and offer pro tips to help you avoid common mistakes. Whether you’re a cocktail enthusiast, a cheese lover, or a dessert connoisseur, you’ll find everything you need to start smoking like a pro.

What Is Cold Smoking and Why Use a Smoking Gun?

Cold smoking is a technique that exposes food to smoke at temperatures below 85°F (30°C), so the smoke flavors the food without cooking it. Traditional cold smokers are large and require hours of attention, but a smoking gun simplifies the process. It generates smoke by burning wood chips in a small chamber and uses a fan to push the smoke through a tube into a covered container or directly onto the food.

The Breville Smoking Gun is ideal for home use because it’s compact, easy to control, and works with any type of wood chips—from hickory and mesquite to apple and cherry. It’s perfect for adding a smoky twist to cocktails, infusing cheese with rich flavor, or giving desserts an unexpected savory note. Plus, it’s a fun tool for entertaining, as you can smoke drinks tableside for a dramatic effect.

• Cold smoking adds flavor without cooking, preserving the texture of delicate foods.
• The Breville Smoking Gun is portable and easy to use, making it great for home cooks.
• Experiment with different wood chips to create unique flavor profiles.

Getting Started: How to Use the Breville Smoking Gun

Before you start smoking, it’s important to understand the basic setup. Fill the smoking gun’s chamber with your choice of wood chips—don’t overfill it. Then, place the food or drink in a container that can be covered, such as a glass cloche, a large bowl with plastic wrap, or a specialized smoking dome. The smoke needs to be trapped to infuse the food properly.

To operate, simply turn on the smoking gun, let it burn the chips, and direct the smoke into the container. Once the container is filled with smoke, cover it and let it sit for a few minutes to allow the smoke to permeate the food. The longer you leave it, the stronger the smoky flavor. Start with short times and taste as you go—you can always add more smoke, but you can’t take it away.

• Always use dry wood chips for the best smoke production.
• Start with a small amount of chips to avoid overwhelming the flavor.
• Use a container with a tight seal to keep the smoke in contact with the food.

Cold Smoking Cocktails: Elevate Your Happy Hour

Smoked cocktails are a trend that’s here to stay, and the Breville Smoking Gun makes them easy to recreate at home. The smoke adds a complex, aromatic layer that complements spirits like whiskey, mezcal, and rum. A classic smoked old fashioned is a great place to start: simply smoke the glass before pouring the cocktail, or smoke the entire drink after mixing.

To smoke a cocktail, pour the drink into a glass and place it under a cloche or in a large jar. Fill the container with smoke using the smoking gun, then cover and let it sit for 30 to 60 seconds. The smoke will infuse the drink, adding a subtle yet distinct flavor. For a stronger effect, you can also smoke individual ingredients, like the ice cubes or citrus peel, before adding them to the glass.

• Smoke the glass before pouring for a subtle aroma, or smoke the whole drink for a stronger flavor.
• Try using applewood chips with bourbon for a sweet, smoky combination.
• Garnish with a smoked rosemary sprig for an aromatic finish.

Cold Smoking Cheese: A Gourmet Touch

Smoked cheese is a delicacy that’s surprisingly easy to make at home. The key is to use cheese that can handle the smoke without melting—hard cheeses like cheddar, gouda, and provolone work best. Soft cheeses like brie can also be smoked, but they require a shorter smoking time to avoid over-powering their delicate flavor.

To smoke cheese, cut it into smaller pieces to increase the surface area. Place the cheese in a container with a lid, such as a glass baking dish covered with plastic wrap. Smoke the cheese for 5 to 10 minutes, then let it sit in the smoke for another 10 to 15 minutes before removing. The cheese will have a rich, smoky flavor that’s perfect for charcuterie boards, sandwiches, or mac and cheese.

• Use hard cheeses for longer smoking times, soft cheeses for shorter.
• Wrap the cheese in parchment paper after smoking to let the flavor mellow.
• Smoked cheese pairs well with fruits, nuts, and honey for a gourmet appetizer.

Cold Smoking Desserts: Sweet Meets Smoky

Smoky desserts might sound unusual, but they’re a delightful surprise. The smoke adds a savory complexity that balances sweetness, making it a favorite among pastry chefs. Chocolate, caramel, and fruit-based desserts are particularly good candidates for cold smoking.

You can smoke a finished dessert like a chocolate mousse or a slice of cheesecake, or you can smoke individual components. For example, smoke the sugar you’ll use to make caramel, or smoke the cream before whipping it into a topping. A simple idea is to smoke a bowl of vanilla ice cream for a few seconds—the smoke gives it a campfire-like flavor that’s irresistible.

• Smoke chocolate-based desserts with cherry or hickory wood for a rich flavor.
• Smoke the sugar or cream before using them in recipes for a subtle smoky note.
• Serve smoked desserts with a dollop of whipped cream to balance the flavors.

Pro Tips for Perfect Cold Smoking Every Time

To get the most out of your Breville Smoking Gun, keep these tips in mind. First, always use the right amount of wood chips—too many can produce bitter smoke, while too few won’t give enough flavor. Second, control the smoking time carefully. Start with short bursts and add more if needed, especially with delicate foods like cheese or desserts.

Third, consider the intensity of the smoke. Some foods, like cheese, absorb smoke quickly, so a little goes a long way. Others, like cocktails, may need a bit more time to infuse. Finally, clean your smoking gun after each use to prevent residue build-up that can affect future flavors. A quick wipe-down with a damp cloth is usually sufficient.

• Use a timer to avoid over-smoking—you can always add more, but you can’t remove it.
• Experiment with different wood chips to find your favorite flavor combinations.
• Let smoked foods rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the flavor to settle.

Delicious Recipes to Try with Your Breville Smoking Gun

Ready to put your smoking gun to work? Here are a few simple recipes to get you started. For a smoked old fashioned, combine bourbon, bitters, and a sugar cube in a glass, then smoke it for 30 seconds. For smoked gouda, smoke the cheese for 10 minutes and serve with crackers and apple slices. For a smoked chocolate mousse, smoke the mousse for 5 minutes and top with sea salt.

Each of these recipes is easy to customize. You can swap the wood chips to change the flavor profile, or adjust the smoking time to suit your taste. The Breville Smoking Gun is a versatile tool that encourages creativity, so don’t be afraid to experiment.

• Smoked old fashioned: bourbon, bitters, sugar, and smoke.
• Smoked gouda: smoke for 10 minutes, serve with crackers.
• Smoked chocolate mousse: smoke for 5 minutes, top with sea salt.

The Breville Smoking Gun opens up a world of culinary possibilities, from sophisticated cocktails to gourmet cheese and desserts. With the tips and recipes in this guide, you’re ready to start cold smoking like a pro. For more inspiration, explore the full range of Breville appliances to elevate your kitchen game. Check out the Breville the Smart Oven® Air Fryer to pair with your smoking adventures for even more delicious creations.