Up to 40% off
Glassware
Shop
Bar Accessories
Get 30% off
Tableware
Shop
Refrigeration
Save Up To 30%
Front of House
Shop
Kitchen Accessories
Shop
Catering Equipment
Shop
Cleaning
Get 30% off
Disposables
You’ve likely marvelled at the skill behind your favourite cocktails, yet the evolution of bar tools through history is equally fascinating.
Early bartenders used basic implements like the toddy stick, which evolved into today’s muddlers.
The introduction of the jigger in 1893 standardised liquid measurements, marking a significant leap in mixology precision.
Shakers evolved from glass to metal combinations, enhancing durability and style, while strainers improved the smoothness of served drinks.
Bar equipment development reflected broader changes in cocktail crafting, from large-format punches to refined, individual servings.
This journey from basic tools to intricate devices underpins the art you see in modern mixology, hinting at even deeper layers of innovation.
In the 19th century, bartending tools were basic but essential for the drinks of the time. You’d find bartenders starting out with just a few basic tools on the bar.
A knife for cutting, a reamer for extracting juice from citrus and a toddy stick (the precursor to the muddler) were the main tools of the trade.
These basic tools may have been few but were critical in applying traditional techniques to mixing drinks. As bartenders experimented and refined their methods these tools were key.
Each tool, basic but essential, was the foundation for the complex art of mixology that would follow.
As you delve into the history of cocktail culture you’ll find it started in the early 16th to 18th centuries, a time of experimentation with new drinks.
In the mid-19th century, Golden Age bartenders started to refine their craft, and big innovations in technique and tools followed.
This was also the age of the ice revolution and how drinks were served and consumed, and how societal changes influenced cocktail evolution.
In the 16th to 18th centuries, cocktails were much simpler than today.
You’ll find the roots of cocktails in the basic but effective bar tools of the time. Bartenders had a knife, a reamer for extracting juice and a toddy stick (the precursor to the muddler).
These tools were key to the cocktail making process especially for big format punches that were popular back then.
This was the foundation of traditional bartending where the art of mixing began to take shape and the classic cocktails would follow.
Each tool had a purpose, a time when things were simple in the early days of mixed drinks.
While the early days of cocktail creation were basic, the mid 19th century was a big change as bartenders started to adopt and refine special bar tools.
This was the Golden Age of cocktails, where many classic cocktails were born. As cocktail culture took off, the cocktail shaker became an iconic symbol of sophistication.
Bartenders refined their skills, experimenting with new combinations and flavours, making cocktail creation an art form.
These changes weren’t just about looks, they improved the consistency and quality of the drinks and set a standard that modern mixologists still follow today.
Mass production of ice changed cocktail culture, bartenders could serve drinks that were not only delicious but also cold and refreshing.
Now you could have cocktails with precise temperature control, and that changed the drinking experience. The ice revolution led to new bar equipment and ice machines became a staple of modern bars.
With these tools mixing became an art form, you could experiment with many cocktail recipes. The cold environment improved flavours and added a new texture to the drinks.
So modern tools now have technology to manage and use ice so your cocktail is always perfectly chilled, and that’s taken the mixology scene to the next level.
As cocktail culture got more sophisticated, bartenders’ toolkits changed significantly during this period.
You’d see the toddy stick turn into more specialised tools like the muddler and bar spoon, essential for making the perfect cocktail.
The jigger introduced in 1893 was a game changer for the cocktail industry by standardising measurements.
Here’s how these tools affect modern mixology:
As cocktails took off bartenders started to get creative and an era was born where iconic drinks like the Rob Roy and Morning Glory Fizz were invented.
You’ve noticed the emphasis on well made drinks with high quality spirits mixed in a glass designed for the job. Let’s take a look at how this era affected classic cocktail recipes:
| Drink | Key Ingredient |
|---|---|
| Rob Roy | Scotch Whisky |
| Morning Glory Fizz | Irish Whiskey |
| Martini | Gin |
| Manhattan | Rye Whiskey |
Cocktail creation wasn’t just about the spirits it was about the whole experience. With a mixing glass bartenders could control dilution and temperature so every sip was perfect.
As cocktail creation reached new heights the Martini and Manhattan Prohibition in the US forced bartenders to get even more creative.
The era sparked a mixology boom as underground speakeasies became the secret hubs of cocktail culture. Here hidden bars flourished and a speakeasy culture thrived despite the law.
After Prohibition was repealed, cocktail culture surged again in the US.
Bars and lounges were eager to revive and innovate in the world of mixed drinks and an era of cocktail consumption and complex recipes began.
The craft cocktail movement started to take shape, drawing from old recipes and modernising them.
| Era | Trend |
|---|---|
| 1930s-1950s | Rise of Tiki Culture |
| 1960s-1970s | Convenience with ready-to-drink |
Tiki bars, with their exoticism and intricate cocktails, became the epitome of leisure and escape.
At the same time the trend towards convenience was reflected in the rise of canned cocktails making cocktail making easier and more accessible to everyone.
The late 20th century saw a cocktail renaissance where bars worldwide went back to craft and quality.
You’ve noticed how craft cocktail bars are everywhere and each one has a list of beautifully made drinks.
Here’s how your experience in these bars is rooted in modern mixology:
Each one of these factors contributes to the environment and drinks you enjoy today.
As you go into the world of cocktail making you’ll see a dynamic evolution driven by changing tastes, technology and society.
The journey from simple mixed drinks to craft cocktails shows significant tool evolution.
Bartenders started with basic tools like a knife and a toddy stick.
As cocktail classes became more popular the demand for better tools grew.
This led to the creation of specialised equipment like muddlers, bar spoons and jiggers.
These tools not only made cocktail making easier but also raised the craft to an art form.
Each tool was a reflection of the era’s culinary trends, proof that society and cocktail culture are deeply connected.
As you go into the history of classic cocktails you’ll find timeless drinks like the Old Fashioned, the Manhattan and the Martini.
Each of these cocktails show unique flavours and tool evolution.
Knowing how the Mojito and the Negroni were made can give you insight into the cultural and historical context of their creation.
Few classic cocktails have a history as long and deep as the Old Fashioned. As you go into its history you’re going into the heart of American cocktail culture.
This cocktail is an old-fashioned way of making a drink, a journey through cocktail trends through the centuries.
The Old Fashioned isn’t just about tasting a drink, it’s about going back in time and thinking about how classic cocktails like these shaped bars around the world.
The Manhattan is the epitome of glamour, New York City.
Born at the Manhattan Club in the 1870s this classic cocktail is rye whiskey or bourbon, sweet vermouth and Angostura bitters, one of the most famous drinks in the world.
When you’re making cocktails like the Manhattan the cocktail shaker is your best friend.
This tool in the history of classic cocktails is essential. It’s a smooth mix, the spirit and finesse of a drink like this.
Whether you’re a seasoned bartender or a newbie, using the Boston shaker will level up your cocktail game and every Manhattan you pour will be a classic and full of flavour.
While the cocktail shaker is a key tool for classics like the Manhattan, another cocktail that shows the art of mixology is the Mojito.
Born in 16th century Cuba this tropical drink didn’t become popular until the 20th century and was even a favourite of Ernest Hemingway.
The classic Mojito recipe uses fresh ingredients: white rum, fresh lime juice, sugar, mint leaves, and soda water.
The Negroni, a bold and bitter classic, was born in Florence, Italy in 1919 for Count Camillo Negroni.
You’ll find this drink a mix of complex drinks and exotic cocktails, a drink from the prohibition era. Made with equal parts gin, Campari and sweet vermouth the Negroni is a taste sensation.
Imagine making your own gin to heighten the flavours and put your own spin on this classic cocktail.
For a twist try the Negroni Sbagliato which replaces the gin with prosecco and makes it bubbly and lighter.
Get into the world of classic cocktails with the Negroni, a cocktail salute.
Among the classic cocktails the Martini is the epitome of elegance.
Born in the late 19th century the classic recipe of gin, dry vermouth and an olive or lemon twist has been loved by drinkers for generations.
Making a Martini is a dance of precision and showmanship, whether you like it stirred for smooth or shaken for a bit of oomph.
Imagine sipping a Daiquiri, the rum based cocktail from the sun kissed shores of Cuba.
Born in the late 19th century, possibly during the Spanish-American War the classic recipe is white rum, lime juice and simple syrup.
As you drink this classic cocktail think about how the cobbler shaker has changed the way we make it.
Tiki and bespoke cocktails benefit from these innovations so bartenders can mix with precision and showmanship.
With its simple yet elegant formula the Daiquiri often uses fresh fruit to take it from basic to bespoke.
Ernest Hemingway was a fan and had one named after him.
Get into the world of the Bloody Mary, a classic cocktail of bold flavours and hangover cure.
Born in the 1920s or 30s possibly at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris this iconic brunch cocktail is vodka and tomato juice with a dash of lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce and a blend of spices.
It’s savoury and often garnished with so many things it’s like a mini meal.
Try this drink and the classic recipe at your next brunch.
Dive into the history of the Gin and Tonic and you’ll find it was born in the British colonial era.
British officers in India mixed gin with tonic water which contained quinine to make an antimalarial drink more palatable.
You’d use a jigger to measure the gin precisely so the balance with tonic water is perfect.
Not traditionally a layered drink like a Gin Rickey or a tiki drink but the Gin and Tonic is the epitome of cocktail simplicity and elegance.
No orange liqueur needed here just a slice of lime to garnish and marry the bitter quinine with the crisp botanicals of the gin.
Few cocktails are as iconic as the Margarita. A modern bar staple this tequila based drink is tequila, lime and triple sec often served with a salted rim.
The origin of the Margarita is unknown with several stories from the 1930s and 40s. Its simplicity and bold flavours made it a favourite during the prohibition era and in secret bars where its exoticness thrived.
Born in the historic city of New Orleans the Sazerac is possibly the oldest American cocktail.
You’re drinking a drink that was born in the mid 19th century and named after a brand of cognac that was the original star of the show.
As you mix you’ll use rye whiskey or the original cognac, sugar, Peychaud’s bitters and an absinthe rinse to add mystery.
Louisiana made the Sazerac its official state cocktail in 2008.
This is more than just a taste of history it’s a glass of America’s cocktail heritage, a swirling mix of the evolution of mixology and bar tools over the centuries.
As you dig into the history of bar tools you’ll find each one, from the toddy stick and muddler to shakers and strainers has a story.
These tools aren’t just functional they’re part of the craft of mixology and influence both the technique and the taste of the drinks you make.
Knowing how jiggers and bar spoons evolved helps you appreciate the precision and art behind every cocktail.
In the early days of cocktails the toddy stick was one of the first tools used by bartenders. This simple wooden tool was used to mash ingredients directly in the glass.
As drinks evolved so did the tools. By the mid 19th century the toddy stick gave way to the muddler, a tool to crush ingredients to release their flavours and essential oils and the bar spoon to stir concoctions more efficiently.
After the muddler bartenders found new ways to mix their concoctions.
By the early 19th century the method of pouring drinks between glasses was common. But as cocktails got more complex the need for better tools arose.
In the 1840s the Boston shaker was born, a glass and metal tin combination for a snug fit to make mixing easier and quicker.
By the 1850s all metal shakers were the norm in bars, praised for their durability and effectiveness.
In the later part of the century the various types, the French (or Parisian) shaker and the Cobbler shaker gave bartenders more options to craft the perfect cocktail.
Before the 1893 introduction of the double sided jigger you might have seen bartenders using wine or sherry glasses to measure ingredients for cocktails.
This wasn’t always precise and could lead to inconsistent drinks.
With the double sided jigger you finally had a tool designed for the job and accuracy and consistency in your cocktail making.
Use the jigger as your partner in cocktail making where precision meets passion.
Strainers have changed the way we filter cocktails from the simple slotted spoons of early bartending to more advanced tools.
Bartenders used these simple spoons to remove ice and solids but as cocktails got more complex so did the need for better straining methods.
By the mid 19th century the Julep strainer, originally called an “ice spoon” was the first strainer marketed for cocktails.
In 1889 a patent was filed for a Julep strainer with a spring and more holes for better filtration.
This led to the late 19th century introduction of the Hawthorne strainer with a spring edge which gave a tighter seal and finer strain and made the cocktail making process much more refined.
While strainers refined the filtering of your cocktails the bar spoon has done the same to the stirring process making it more precise and efficient.
The bar spoon which originated in the mid 19th century evolved from the toddy stick and became an essential tool for mixologists.
The long handle and twisted stem aren’t just for show, they mix ingredients without excessive agitation and preserve the integrity and clarity of your drink.
To help you understand better here are some key points about the bar spoon:
Glassware in all its forms has changed the way we drink cocktails. During the early 20th century the Golden Age of Cocktails a standardisation of classic glass shapes like the martini glass, coupe and highball emerged.
These classic shapes weren’t just about looks they improved the drinking experience, the vessel was tailored to the cocktail and its style.
As you go through these different glasses you’ll notice how each shape complements the drink it holds, from the broad rim of the coupe enhancing the aroma of a delicate cocktail to the tall slender highball preserving the fizz and chill of a gin and tonic.
Glassware is still evolving with new designs emerging all the time to improve your cocktail experience.
In recent years a whole range of specialist bar tools have emerged and changed the art of mixology for the better.
You’ve seen how bartenders craft your cocktails with tools that ensure consistency and style.
Here’s a look at some of the modern innovations:
These innovations not only improve the cocktail experience but also simplify the process so bartenders can focus on creativity.
As you’ve gone through the history of mixology you’ve seen how bar tools have gone from basic to high tech.
This isn’t just about technology it’s a reflection of societal changes and the evolution of tastes in the cocktail world.
Now you’re better equipped to appreciate the artistry behind every shake or stir. Remember every tool in your bartender’s arsenal is a page in the cocktail story.
Stay connected with Ascot Wholesale for more insights, tips, and industry trends. Whether you’re looking to elevate your business or simply stay informed, we’ve got you covered.
Contact us to learn how we can support your business with our extensive range of quality products and exceptional service or, explore more blogs for additional valuable content.
