To make cocktails like a mixologist, you need a few basic bar tools. Below is a list of a few essential tools with their uses. All of the items on the list is available from The Spirit Merchant Trading Company. Be sure to read this post for more info on this exciting company who stocks more than 100 quality hand sourced bar products. Their motto “by bartenders, for bartenders”, says it all!
- Bar spoon – A bar spoon is a specialized spoon designed to simplify the mixing process when making a cocktail. Fabricated from stainless steel, these tools are durable, easy to clean and won’t affect drink flavors like other tools might. Bar spoons are used in many different ways. Since some of those uses might be foreign to an aspiring mixologist, here are a few uses:
- Cocktail Stirring – Some cocktails need to be stirred not shaken, and the bar spoon is the perfect tool. Whether using a cocktail shaker or tall glass, the long handled spoon will make quick work of mixing any cocktail.
- Measuring Ingredients – One bar spoon is more or less equivalent to one teaspoon and bartenders will use it to measure small quantities.
- Layering Drinks – Mixologists interested in displaying an artistic flair use the flat bowl of the bar spoon to layer different spirits in one drink. Often used for shots like a B-52 or an Angel’s Kiss, the appearance is definitely striking.
- Garnishing Drinks – As one of the one of the most useful bar tools, the spoon is often called upon to remove extra pulp from fruit garnishes.
- Muddling – Although the use of a specialized Muddler is ideal, some bar spoons have a “hammer” at the end of the handle that can be used to lightly muddle fruit and herbs in a pinch.
- Cocktail strainer – also known as a bar strainer, the cocktail strainer is typically used after a drink has been shaken or stirred to remove the ice, fruit or other solids that shouldn’t find their way into the cocktail.
- Jigger = a piece of barware used to measure spirits in the mixing of cocktails. Although the term “Jigger” also refers to a shot of liquor (25 ml), the measuring device traditionally is two-sided or double-ended with uneven measures and looks like an hourglass. Jiggers come in a variety of sizes and styles an is essential to prepare drinks quickly and consistently. There are two types of Jiggers that vary based on their capacity:
- Single Jigger – A simple drink measure with a single bowl to contain the spirit. These can range from a basic shot glass to something with multiple graduations to allow refined measurements.
- Double Jigger – a double jigger (pictured below) looks like an hourglass, i.e. it has a bowl on either side. Typically constructed of metal, this is the style of measure used in most bars.
- Juicer – A juicer extracts juice from fruit. Juicers come in many different shapes and sizes which all can vary based on the intended use. For making cocktails, manual juicers are most frequently used to juice citrus fruits (lemons, limes, oranges).
- A Citrus Reamer is a handheld tool which is used to juice lemons, limes and oranges. Reamers are made from metal, wood or plastic, this tool is used to ream the fruit while collecting the juice in a separate container.
- A Countertop Citrus Reamer has an integrated collection bowl. Typically made from tempered glass or plastic.
- A lemon squeezer (pictured below) is a popular type of juicer found in many kitchens and bars. Known by many other names like hand squeezer, citrus squeezer and Mexican juicer, this device uses a levered construction with a hinged bowl with handles to more easily extract the juice. These are relatively compact, not to mention easy to use and clean. It works especially well to juice small citrus fruit such as limes.
- Muddler – a muddler is a tool used to mash ingredients like fruit and herbs to infuse fresh flavor into your finely crafted cocktails. Resembling a pestle, it can be made from wood, metal or plastic.
- Pourer – a speed pourer streamlines the flow of liquid coming out of the bottle (helping to avoid spills and splashes) while giving you greater control over the amount of alcohol that is poured.
- Shaker – Cocktail shakers are used to quickly and efficiently blend cocktails. Also known as a bar shaker, it’s a sealed cylinder to which ice and ingredients are added for the purpose of shaking. Among the many ways to mix drinks, shaking is often used and the cocktail shaker is designed for this purpose. Cocktail shakers come in all shapes and finishes. Cocktail shakers are typically made of stainless steel and classified into three different types.
- The Cobbler Shaker, also known as the Three-Piece Shaker (pictured below), has a completely integrated design and consists of a large metal shaking tin, a tight-fitting lid and a strainer that is integrated into the lid.
- The French Cocktail Shaker aka the Parisian Cocktail Shaker is a simplified version of the Cobbler. The French Shaker is a two-piece shaker without the integrated strainer in the lid.
- The Boston Shaker is a two-piece device that is simple and effective. Typically there is one larger tin that is accompanied by another smaller mixing vessel which can be made of glass or metal.
The Spirit Merchant’s Bar Bag has everything you need for making bar-tender quality cocktails while e.g. on holiday.
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Source: https://thecocktailnovice.com