Cocktail Making Tools You Can’t Live Without

If you’re an aspiring mixologist, it’s essential that you have the right tools to help you create delicious cocktails. Whether you’re making a simple gin and tonic or an intricate Manhattan, accuracy is key.

A jigger is the perfect tool for measuring spirits and is a must-have when it comes to making great cocktails. The smallest imbalance can ruin the whole drink.

Jigger

Jiggers are a must-have bartender tool, helping to ensure you measure out cocktails correctly. They are hourglass shaped, usually stainless steel, with uneven cones on each end for portioning out spirits.

There are many different types of jiggers available, some designed for specific measurements and others for general use. They all come in a range of sizes, but a standard-sized jigger holds 1.5 ounces on one side and one ounce on the other.

Another type of jigger is the Japanese-style, which features a more angular design and offers multiple liquor measurements on the inside rim. This allows you to easily get an exact pour every time, regardless of the amount of liquor you’re measuring out.

Finally, you can also get a bell jigger, which features cups with rounded curves and a slim midsection for ease of pouring. These are also designed with straight rims, making them easy to empty and providing a stable base when they’re standing on your bar. This is an ideal choice for beginners or those with limited experience in using jiggers.

Strainer

If you’re a new bartender or want to improve your cocktail making skills, a strainer is an essential tool. It can help you create smooth, delicious cocktails by sifting out ice, fruit pieces, or other solids that may make their way into the drink.

There are several different types of cocktail strainers, but most are made from metal and come in a variety of shapes. The most popular is the Hawthorne strainer, which features a spring-loaded arm that fits over the edge of a glass.

Another common type is the julep strainer, which has a bowl-shaped handle that fits tightly into a mixing glass or shaker. Liquid passes through holes or slits in the strainer and then out of the rim.

Finally, there are fine mesh strainers that are used by mixologists to make drinks with ingredients that have a lot of pulp. These are perfect for things like rum, vodka, or gin, which can contain a lot of juice and small pieces of pulp. A good quality fine mesh strainer should do the trick for most drinks, but you might need a more expensive one if your recipes call for a lot of pulp.

Stirrer

When you’re making drinks at home, you need a few basic tools to help you create your signature cocktails. One of the most important is a stirrer, which helps you mix your drink ingredients together.

A stirrer is a versatile tool that you can use to combine a wide range of drinks from classic cocktails to specialty cocktails. You can also use it to muddle fresh ingredients like mint, sugar or orange peel.

There are many different stirrers on the market, but you should choose a model that’s durable and easy to clean. You can choose a stainless steel model or a plastic one.

The stainless steel model is a good choice for any bartender because it’s affordable and durable. It’s a great choice for mixing egg white-based cocktails because it helps you whip more air into the mix.

A Hawthorne strainer is an essential cocktail accessory for stirring your drink. It helps to remove any bits of ice and fruit so that your drink is ready to serve to your customers.

Ice Tongs

Ice is a vital ingredient to any successful cocktail, but it can also be dangerous to the bartender if not handled with care. A few gizmos on the market are designed to make the job a little easier. The best ones are made of high-grade stainless steel and are easy on the hands. They also come in a variety of colors and sizes to suit any budget.

Using the right type of ice in the right way can make or break your drinks. A quality ice maker can provide you with the perfect cubes at the correct temperature and consistency to get your drink ready to sip. You might also want to consider adding a dry ice shaker to your cocktail arsenal. It may be a bit on the pricey side, but it will definitely make your drinks stand out from the crowd.

In fact, one of the most important tools for a discerning bartender is the right tongs. Besides being a useful cocktail making tool, they can also double as a hazard detection device to keep your employees safe from contaminating their beverages. The best ice tongs are ergonomically designed with a grippy grip and feature a tamper proof notch.

Knife

A well-designed bartending knife is essential for every mixologist. The perfect tool for creating a wide range of garnishes that enhance the flavour of your cocktails, it should also be strong enough to handle chopping up large fruit.

Bartenders will usually use a chef’s knife for cutting up citrus, but a general purpose paring knife is the ideal weapon for chopping and shaping cocktail ingredients. Most bartenders will opt for a stainless steel one but a ceramic version can be equally effective for chopping up soft fruit and other items.

The only drawback with a ceramic knife is that it can’t handle flexing and twisting movement like a steel blade can. This doesn’t mean that it can’t be used, but it does need to be adapted accordingly.

If you’re looking for a stylish, yet affordable knife to add to your bartending arsenal, we recommend this R. Murphy x Jackson Cannon blade with a squared-off edge and square tip, which can be used to remove seeds from lemons or notch citrus peel. Its black walnut handle makes it an elegant addition to any bartender’s toolkit.

Chopping Board

Whether you’re just getting started making cocktails or have an established bar at home, the right tools can make all the difference when it comes to mixology. To help you decide what’s best for your home bar, we asked some of the world’s best bartenders to weigh in on the most essential tools they can’t live without.

A chopping board is a handy tool for home cooks to keep around the kitchen, as they’re great for cutting up vegetables, meats and even dry ingredients like nuts or grains. They’re also a great way to prevent cross-contamination in the cooking process.

It’s important to choose a chopping board that is sturdy and can withstand constant use. You’ll also want one that is easy to clean.

The most durable chopping boards are made of end-grain wood. This means that the entire surface of the board is composed of cut ends of the wood, giving it extra strength and flexibility. They’re also more hygienic than other types of cutting boards, as they don’t have the same number of cuts and dents that can spread germs and bacteria.

Channel

Getting all the right tools to make your cocktails is the key to making them a hit. These items will make preparing your drinks easier, saving you time and energy in the long run.

When it comes to cocktail making, a channel knife is a great tool to have on hand. A small spoon-shaped knife, it can be used to create long spirals of citrus peel for garnishing your cocktail.

A muddler is also a must have to unlock the flavours of fresh ingredients. This wooden bar tool crushes ingredients to release their juices and aromas, which is useful for adding a twist to your cocktails.

Lastly, a juice press is an essential tool for mixing fresh fruit juice in your cocktails. This is especially helpful if you are trying to make more than one drink at a time, since a juice press allows you to quickly and easily squeeze fresh citrus and fruits into your drinks.

Funnel

A funnel is an ideal tool for creating batch cocktails. They fit perfectly into Mason jars and help you quickly and easily pour ingredients in. They are also great for storing drinks in the fridge until you’re ready to serve them.

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