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Here
are a few essential tools to have on hand for making
almost any cocktail, and recipes that utilize this
indispensable equipment.
By
CocktailsandWines.com
Bar Spoon
A
long-handled metal spoon used to mix and chill
cocktails. Stirring doesn’t create cloudy air
bubbles, so it’s preferable for spirits-only
drinks, like martinis, which look best crystal
clear. It’s also useful for measuring small
amounts of liquid.
Recipes:
in the works •
Boston
Shaker
The
bartender’s choice, consisting of a pint glass
with a metal canister that covers the top to create
a seal. Measure ingredients into the glass and shake
with the metal half pointing away from you. Strain
the drink from the canister
More:
in the works •
Cobbler
Shaker
The
most commonly used shaker, with a metal or glass
vessel for mixing drinks with ice, a built-in
strainer and a fitted top. Individual shakers
accommodate less ice, so they don't chill drinks as
well as larger shakers do.
Recipes:
in the works •
Channel
Knife
A
small spoon-shaped knife with a metal tooth used for
peeling long, thin fancy spiral twists from citrus
fruit for garnish. A sharp paring knife or vegetable
peeler works best for the wider citrus twists that
are flamed.
Recipes:
in the works •
Citrus
Juicer
A
shallow dish with a reaming cone, a spout and often
a strainer that’s used to separate juice from
pulp. Juices are best the day they’re squeezed,
but orange and grapefruit juices can hold for up to
two days in the refrigerator.
Recipes:
in the works •
Hawthorne
Strainer
The
best all-purpose strainer. This round metal device
has a semicircular spring that ensures a snug,
spill-proof fit on top of a shaker. Look for a
tightly coiled spring, which will keep muddled fruit
and herbs out of your drink.
Recipes:
in the works •
Jigger
A
two-sided stainless steel measuring instrument.
It’s indispensable for quick, precise mixing. Look
for one with 1/2- and 1-ounce cups. A shot glass
with measurements works well, too.
Julep
Strainer
The
preferred device for straining cocktails from a pint
glass. Fine holes keep ice out of the finished
cocktail, and the shape fits securely inside a
mixing glass. In a pinch, though, a Hawthorne
strainer will do the trick.
Recipes:
in the works •
Muddler
A
sturdy baseball bat-shaped tool that’s used to
crush herbs, sugar cubes and fresh fruit. Look for a
muddler long enough to reach the bottom of your
cocktail shaker; in a pinch, you can use a
long-handled wooden spoon.
Recipes:
in the works •
Waiter’s
Corkscrew
A
pocketknife-like tool with a bottle opener and a
small blade used for cutting foil from wine caps.
Bartenders prefer this model to the bulkier winged
and mechanical corkscrews available.
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