Flavour Blaster Review - Is It Worth It?

drinksreviewdrink reviewguidehome bar equipment

8 Mar

The Flavour Blaster. You’ve seen it on Instagram, you’ve seen it on TikTok, all your favorite influencer bartenders are using it. But the question remains - is it worth it?

More than ever these days when people find out I write and make drinks for a living I get the the usual “oh I seen this cocktail video with a smoke bubble on it! ”. Or even more so, people asking what that smoke bubble on cocktails is and how it’s done. In case that’s how you ended up here, let me save you some time. It’s Flavour Blaster.

What The Heck is a Flavour Blaster

Simply put, the Flavour Blaster is an aroma bubble maker. Meaning it uses flavored vapour smoke (not wood smoke like a classic smoke gun) to be blasted on top of a drink. When dipping the nozzle in a special mix, you get a bubble that traps the smoke inside. Meaning you can place that bubble on top of a cocktail to trap in the flavor of the vapour and also, well, you know, for theatrics.

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Basically it just makes drinks look really cool. It’s a theatrical gadget. Cocktails are like 70% based on how cool they look. It impacts the way you perceive flavor as well as whether or not you remember the drink and speak about it later. Which the Flavor Blaster is pretty perfect for. But largely it depends on your needs - are you a home bartender or professional bartender?

Here’s a nicely edited and put together sales video to give you an idea of the coolness of this…

Rad. Now…

Is the Flavour Blaster Functional?

I could sit here for hours banging on about how the way a drink looks and how immersive the drink is impacts the way we perceive flavor and how our minds decide whether something is good or bad. That alone makes this highly functional. But let’s be honest, we need more, right? Especially for that price. So does it actually add anything to the drink?

The answer is yes. It works much like a smoke gun which you can learn all about here. And you can use it exactly like a smoke gun. You can trap the smoke in a bell jar or decanter to infuse a cocktail, in-fact they even sell little cute lids for glasses that you can trap the vapour with.

Which also answers the question of do you need the bubble - no you don’t, you can use it as a smoke gun.

But it really becomes function in the sense of aroma. Did you know around 80-90% of what we understand as taste is made up of aroma? Meaning the way you taste something is more about what it smells like then what it’s doing in your mouth. Isn’t that crazy? However once again I’m banging on about the science of flavor. I’ll stop.

But side note: If the science of flavor does interest you, I did this cocktail course with an entire lesson on that science here.

Anyway… behind the theatrics of popping that cute little bubble is the vapour, which has an aroma. You can use 20 different aromas to flavor your bubbles, each one flavoring your cocktail by adding that aroma to the top.

What Aromas Do They Have?

Aroma wise they have everything from vanilla and rhubarb to cinnamon and even truffle. What I do find interesting is that I’m constantly banging on about this not being a smoke gun, instead it’s a gadget that just looks like one and works like one but it’s not one, yet… they do have a smoke flavored aroma. So essentially just get rid of a smoke gun because this can do everything a smoker can and more.

By the way if you like cool unique cocktail glasses like that one, check out this list.

Different Types of Flavour Blasters

So it’s a nifty little gadget. But is it a passing trend or should you be investing in one? Or better yet, is it even suitable for you? For that, we need to run through the 2 different types, the pros and cons and who they are suitable for.

Flavour Blaster Mini

flavour blaster banner mini kit for home bartenders

First up is the flavour blaster mini. Who is the flavour blaster mini suited for? Home Bartenders.

This is basically the cheaper version of the main flavour blaster. And how do they make it cheaper? By making it smaller and not as powerful. Which isn’t a bad thing because hey, like I said, it’s cheaper. It comes in a bunch of different colors and looks great. All you need to do is load it, charge it, and get bubbling.

This kit here has everything you need to get started including;

1x Flavour Blaster Mini
1x Micro USB Charging Cable
2x Tank (Disposable Only)*
2x Aroma (10ml) Citrus & Passion Fruit
1x Bubble X 60ml
1x Bubble X Bowl
1 year limited guarantee covering parts & labour on the Flavour Blaster

The no baloney review here is that it’s really good… for home bartenders. Do not use this in a professional setting, it is a waste. If you work in a bar with a flavor blaster, everyone is going to want whatever cocktail you use it for. Trust me. It’s like the Espresso Martini, once one person see’s it, they want one.

The problem with that is that this mini isn’t made to be used again and again and again. It’s not built like that. It’s going to cut out. It won’t have the charge. Just stop - say no.

But for home bartenders who are going to use it for some photos, a social media post, a website, or there own parties. Perhaps you’re hosting a birthday party - this will be PERFECT.

And don’t get me wrong, when I say it’s not meant to be used again and again it doesn’t mean you get one use. For a party of like 20-30 people it will be fine. It’s just in a bar you’ll be expected to use this every 2 minutes for 8 hours straight. That won’t work.

The Flavour Blaster Pro 2

Now if you are a professional, you need this one, the Flavour Blaster Pro 2. This is made for professional settings, this is going to make bubbles quick and be super reliable.

For home bartenders, no need. You’ll be buying a powerful gadget that you’re going to use when? once a month? Save your money.

And whilst we’re on the subject of money, let’s go deeper;

Money, Money, Money

This pro kit will cost about £449.94 including VAT. Which has everything you need to get started. In a professional bar you can easily add 15% GP on every cocktail this uses and people will still buy it. If your cocktails are £8 then you can get away with the flavour blaster cocktail being £9. If they’re £10 you’ll get away with 12-13 easily.

If it’s the latter, that means the entire kit will pay itself off after 225 cocktails. Which is basically a busy week in a 30 cover bar. You wouldn’t of even ran out of the first aroma yet at that point.

So the real question isn’t is the flavour blaster worth it for professional bartenders and bars?. The question is will the flavour blaster make my bar money? and the answer is yes. Cocktails are going to give you a much higher GP then beer or wine. Once people see the flavour blaster in use they will be ordering more cocktails. Not only that but people WILL be sharing photos online, there friends will see it, they’ll want to come for a drink and the cycle continues.

So that £449 you spend is an investment which will pay off within a month of using the flavour blaster.

But if you’re a home bartender? Then no. Unless you have a higher disposable income or a birthday coming up, I’d stick with the cheaper mini which is perfect for home bartending.

But by all means, go for the pro kit if you want to show off.

What does the flavour blaster pro kit come with?

With that price you get quite a lot so it works out well. You get;

1x Flavour Blaster Pro 2
1x Micro USB-C Charging Cable
1x Tank (Reusable)
4x Tank Coils
5x Aroma (10ml) (Lemongrass, Passionfruit, Neutral, Rosemary, Smoke)
1x Bubble X (180ml)
1 x Bubble X Bowl
1 x Atomiser
1 x Bubble Spoon (New)
1 x Cocktail Book (New)
1-year guarantee covering parts & labour on the Flavour Blaster

How does Flavour Blaster work?

People are often curious about the mechanics behind the flavour blaster so let’s run through that briefly.

Once you start blasting, it heats the contents in the tank (which is the flavour liquid you put in), this produces vapor similar to the steam from a cup of tea. As for the bubbles, if you dip the nozzle into the special solution named Bubble X that will trap the flavor inside the bubble. Which is very similar to blowing bubbles but with an edible solution.

How do you make smoke bubbles without a Flavour Blaster?

Can you make these bubbles without the flavour blaster? Absolutely. Though you will need the flavour blasters Bubble X solution which you can buy separately here. Once you have it you’ll also need a cocktail smoker with a nozzle. Dip the nozzle into the solution and use it as normal.

However, word of warning as I’ve mentioned a lot - The Flavour Blaster creates aroma bubbles not smoke bubbles. You will be limited with your bubbles and they will be less structured. But still, it will work.

Hidden Costs involved with the Flavour Blaster

Everything has a hidden cost these days and quite honestly it’s annoying.

I say this after just buying a ring doorbell only to find out that you have to pay a monthly subscription to use it?… Excuse me? WTF did I pay for, a useless device? Why did no one tell me you need a subscription to watch and answer the bloody door?

Anyway… Moving on. What are the hidden costs with the flavour blaster?

Bubble Mixture

First is the bubble mixture which makes the actual bubbles. This is about £30 here however it will make 1,000 bubbles. So in a professional setting, you’re looking at purchasing once a month for large bars and once every like, 6 months, for small bars. And for home bartenders that will be like once a year if that.

Aromas

Then the actual aromas that are about £5 and will last around 250 cocktails. So pretty good again.

For the pro kit that is all you’ll need which as far as on-going costs, is actually really good. Like, REALLY good.

Disposable tanks

However for the mini, you’ll also need to purchase tanks as they are disposable. They’re about 30 quid and need to be changed when you change aroma. So with every 250 cocktails. Which for home mixology isn’t bad at all. I mean, how many cocktails are you making if that’s going to be a problem?

With the pro kit you just wash out the tank. Simple.

Is the Flavour Blaster Worth It?

If you’re a cocktail or mixology enthusiast who enjoys making cocktails at home, or sharing them online or you host parties then yes the Flavour Blaster is completely worth it. It’ll make a great addition to your home bar.

For bartenders, bar managers, or bar owners even more so yes. In the long run it’s a great gadget to help increase your cocktail orders, brand recognition and social following. You’ll be in the footsteps of some of the worlds best bars so it’s more then a gimmick. Trust me. But only if you get the flavour blaster pro. The flavour mini however cute it is does not belong in a bar.

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**Hi, I’m Cameron, guv’nor of Smartblend.** If you liked this then you’re in luck, I have a bunch more recipes like it. I share only vegetarian and pescatarian food recipes, cocktails, and drink guides with a sprinkling of wellness and mindful drinking. If that sounds like you, then stick around!