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To make the perfect cocktails you need a collection of essential bar tools, a cocktail shaker to mix, a jigger to measure and a strainer to pour smooth. A bar spoon to stir and a muddler to extract flavours from fruits and herbs are also useful.
Good glassware makes your drinks look and taste better. Get these bar tools and you’ll level up your cocktail game and be ready to go further into the world of mixology.
A cocktail shaker, whether Cobbler, Boston or standard, is a must for mixing ingredients together. You’ll also need a jigger to measure accurately and a strainer to pour smooth and bit free.
When setting up your home bar don’t forget the importance of a good cocktail shaker. This tool is essential for blending the flavours and textures of your ingredients together.
A cocktail shaker isn’t just for mixing, it’s also for diluting and chilling your drinks. Chilling is key as it brings out the flavours so each sip is perfect.
When you mix spirits, juices and syrups the cocktail shaker blends them together into a cohesive drink.
On top of a standard cocktail shaker let’s look at the Cobbler Shaker, a bar tool favourite among those just starting their mixology journey. It’s super user friendly.
Why you’ll love the Cobbler Shaker:
Having a cobbler shaker in your bar tool collection makes the cocktail making process easier so you can focus on flavour and technique.
If you’re serious about your craft, the Boston Shaker is an essential tool in your bar setup.
Pros use this two piece shaker, a mixing glass and a larger flat bottomed tin. It’s perfect for making precise and fancy cocktails.
Unlike other types, the Boston Shaker allows for a more vigorous shake so your ingredients are mixed, chilled and aerated.
Its larger capacity is great for making multiple drinks at once, it’s a favourite during busy nights.
It may take some practice to master it but once you do you’ll be making beautiful, well balanced drinks with ease.
A jigger is essential for making cocktails with precision and balance. This measuring tool ensures consistency every time you make them. The key is in its design: it’s double sided, with different measurements on each end so it’s more versatile.
Here’s why you’ll want a jigger in your tool kit:
Get a good quality jigger with clear, durable markings and you’ll level up your mixology. It’s a small tool, but it makes a big difference!
When setting up your cocktail tool kit, don’t forget the strainers like the Hawthorne and Julep.
These strainers are essential to make your drinks smooth and debris free. Each type has its own features to suit different bartending needs and elevate your cocktails.
One of the must haves in your cocktail making kit is the Hawthorne Strainer, it’s versatile and fits perfectly over shaking tins and mixing glasses.
Here’s why you can’t miss it:
Beyond the versatile Hawthorne, the Julep Strainer is your go to for stirred cocktails, it fits perfectly into your mixing glass.
It’s designed to strain your mixtures smoothly.
The Julep strainer is a must have When you want clarity and smoothness in your stirred drinks.
It’s not just a tool; it’s your partner in cocktail perfection.
A long handled bar spoon is an essential tool in the art of cocktail making. It’s for stirring and layering drinks.
Here’s why you need one:
Get a good quality bar spoon, and you’ll turn simple mixes into crafted cocktails.
You’ll need a muddler to get the most out of your fresh ingredients in your cocktails. This must have bar tool is used to press herbs and fruits to extract the flavours needed to make a perfect drink.
When choosing a muddler go for a sturdy wooden one or a sleek stainless steel one. Both materials have its benefits but both will release the deep, subtle flavours hidden in your ingredients.
Make sure the muddler has a comfortable grip to improve your control and efficiency as you press and twist. Whether you’re mashing mint for mojitos or berries for a bramble, the right muddler will get the full flavours out of your cocktail ingredients.
Beyond the basics, you’ll need more tools to take your cocktail game to the next level.
A mixing glass is for stirring, not shaking, to get clarity and smoothness in your drinks.
Also a citrus juicer and a sharp peeler or zester to add fresh zest and juice, to enhance flavour profiles and ice moulds and pour spouts to control dilution and precision.
Every mixologist needs a mixing glass in their tool kit, especially when making classics like Martinis and Manhattans.
Here’s why you need a mixing glass when you make drinks:
A mixing glass is essential for stirred cocktails, but a citrus juicer is also important if you want to add fresh zest to your drinks.
Having a citrus juicer at hand is crucial when making drinks that require the bright, citrusy notes of citrus fruits. This tool allows you to extract fresh juice efficiently so your cocktails have the vibrant flavours and aromas that only fresh citrus can give.
Whether a zesty lemon for a classic whiskey sour or a sweet orange for a mimosa, a citrus juicer will help you add these essential elements to your drinks, take them from good to great with every squeeze.
A peeler or zester should be in your cocktail tool kit if you want to create visually appealing and flavourful drinks.
These tools are for adding the final touches that take your drinks from good to great.
Here’s how to use them:
To take your cocktail experience to the next level, consider adding ice moulds to your bar setup. Unlike ice cubes from your ice machine, ice moulds produce perfectly shaped ice that melts slowly so your drinks stay cold without diluting quickly.
You’ll find various shapes and sizes, from large spherical ice for whiskeys to intricate designs for craft cocktails. Using these in your drinks not only looks good but also keeps the integrity of your drink’s flavours longer than regular ice.
Pour spouts are a must have for any serious cocktail enthusiast.
They’re for controlled pouring, so each drink is consistent.
Here’s why you need them:
Adding pour spouts to your tool kit will make your cocktail crafting more efficient and the experience better for you and your guests.
Now, let’s get to the types of glassware you’ll need to serve your cocktails.
Rock glasses, Collins glasses and coupe glasses are essentials for serving many drinks.
Each one looks good and suits different cocktails.
Rocks glasses are for classic short drinks like the Old Fashioned.
When you’re crafting perfect cocktails, the glassware isn’t just about looks; it enhances the drinking experience by matching the drink’s flavours and aromas.
Here’s why you should use rocks glasses:
Add rock glasses to your bar setup and your cocktails will look and function great.
They’re a must have for any serious cocktail enthusiast.
Collins glasses, named after the classic cocktail, are for anyone who likes to make taller drinks like Gin and Tonics or Tom Collins.
These tall and thin glasses allow you to build your cocktails in the glass with plenty of room for ice, spirits and mixers. Their design keeps the fizzy bits of your cocktail fizzy from first sip to last.
When you’re getting into cocktail making, add Collins glasses to your tool kit and the presentation and drinking experience will be better.
They’re for layered drinks, as their clarity shows off the layers of your cocktail, so each drink is a taste and a visual treat.
While you’re getting into cocktail making don’t forget the elegance of coupe glasses, for serving drinks “up” without ice.
Here’s why you need them:
Add coupe glasses to your bar setup, and the presentation and experience of making cocktails will be better.
Investing in good bar tools is a must if you want to be a cocktail making master. Good bar equipment isn’t just about looks; it makes your drinks more efficient and consistent.
You’ll want to start with the basics: a shaker, jigger, strainer and bar spoon. These are the foundation of any well stocked bar.
Don’t skimp on the materials – go for stainless steel, they’re durable and easy to clean. Remember good tools can last a lifetime if you look after them.
Think of this as an investment in your bar and every cocktail you make. It’s about setting yourself up for success, one drink at a time.
Now you have the basic bar tools, you’re ready to shake up the cocktail world. From jiggers to muddlers, each piece isn’t just a tool; your ticket to making drinks that will amaze your friends. Invest in good gear, and your mixing skills will take off.
Remember, every great mixologist starts with the basics. So grab your shaker, let your creativity flow and get mixing! Cheers to your
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