Barware - Your Tools of the Trade
For weeks now Beverage Experts, via the Cocktail of the Week, has been suggesting that you shake, strain, and muddle your way to refreshment. Some of you have a well equipped bar and a familiarity with the tools of the bar trade. Many have sent us emails asking us to offer explanations and descriptions of equipment and techniques.
Today, in lieu of an actual cocktail, we have provided a list of common bar tools. Luckily, all of these tools are relatively inexpensive and can be found at most kitchen supply stores and via the World-Wide-Web (of course).
Jigger. The jigger is vital as it allows you to make accurate measurements when building your cocktails. The common jigger is made of stainless steel and offers two ends, back-to-back, vessels of differing volumes.
Shaker. The shaker is an essential tool. Without a shaker you cannot make any variety of a sour (whisky sour and so on…), a daiquiri, or a proper margarita (no blenders please). BevX recommends a metal shaker (typically stainless steel) as this material conducts the cold, rapidly chilling your cocktail to its optimum temperature. If you don’t have a shaker and you love to make and drink cocktails, buy one today!
Strainer. A bar strainer is a handy tool as it allows you to quickly and efficiently strain away ice and hard fruit or herb pieces from your shaker or mixing glass.
Juicer. Chances are that you already have a juicer of some kind in your home. The style of juicer is not important. What is important is that you have one, and have one that you find easy to use, as making a cocktail with pre-packed juice is heresy! On this note, if you have been buying limejuice in a bottle rather juicing the limes yourself you have never experienced the cocktail as it was intended.
Muddler. A muddler is the most commonly forgotten bar tool. This is a mistake as the mojito and the caipirinha have never been more popular. Like all of the above bar tools, the muddler is rather inexpensive and easy to operate. If you have ever worked with a potato masher, muddling mint and lime is well within your grasp.
Today, in lieu of an actual cocktail, we have provided a list of common bar tools. Luckily, all of these tools are relatively inexpensive and can be found at most kitchen supply stores and via the World-Wide-Web (of course).
A selection of Essential Barware
Jigger. The jigger is vital as it allows you to make accurate measurements when building your cocktails. The common jigger is made of stainless steel and offers two ends, back-to-back, vessels of differing volumes.
Shaker. The shaker is an essential tool. Without a shaker you cannot make any variety of a sour (whisky sour and so on…), a daiquiri, or a proper margarita (no blenders please). BevX recommends a metal shaker (typically stainless steel) as this material conducts the cold, rapidly chilling your cocktail to its optimum temperature. If you don’t have a shaker and you love to make and drink cocktails, buy one today!
Strainer. A bar strainer is a handy tool as it allows you to quickly and efficiently strain away ice and hard fruit or herb pieces from your shaker or mixing glass.
Juicer. Chances are that you already have a juicer of some kind in your home. The style of juicer is not important. What is important is that you have one, and have one that you find easy to use, as making a cocktail with pre-packed juice is heresy! On this note, if you have been buying limejuice in a bottle rather juicing the limes yourself you have never experienced the cocktail as it was intended.
Muddler. A muddler is the most commonly forgotten bar tool. This is a mistake as the mojito and the caipirinha have never been more popular. Like all of the above bar tools, the muddler is rather inexpensive and easy to operate. If you have ever worked with a potato masher, muddling mint and lime is well within your grasp.