Being a bartender is more than just pouring drinks. It’s an art that requires skill, knowledge, and the right tools. Whether you’re a professional mixologist with years of experience or a hobbyist looking to test out your own creations at home, here are the must-have tools for every bar.
Jigger – A jigger is a tool used to measure out exact quantities of liquor when making drinks. A good jigger has two different sized cups or cones – one side measures out 1.5 ounces of liquor while the other side measures out 3/4 ounces. Having a jigger in your toolkit will help ensure that you get the perfect ratio of ingredients every time you make a drink.
Shaker – A shaker is an essential tool for mixing cocktails and creating new drinks. You can use it to muddle ingredients like fresh herbs or fruits as well as mix up classic cocktails like martinis and Manhattans. If you plan on making drinks with ice, you’ll need both an ordinary shaker cup and an ice bucket to keep your ingredients chilled and ready to pour.
Strainer – Once your drink is made, it’s important to strain out any excess ice or fruit pieces before serving it to guests (or yourself). A good strainer will help catch these pieces so that all that remains in the glass is a delicious concoction ready for sipping!
Muddler – If you love craft cocktails, then you need a muddler in your arsenal! This tool helps mash up fresh fruits, herbs, and spices so that their flavors can infuse into whatever drink you’re making. Muddlers come in various sizes and shapes depending on what type of ingredients you want to muddle – just make sure to choose one that fits comfortably in your hand!
Pourers – Pourers are essential tools for bartenders who want precise control over how much liquid they pour into each glass or bottle. High-quality pourers are designed with tapered spouts which allow bartenders to easily measure out exactly how much alcohol they need without spilling or wasting any precious liquor!
Whether you’re a professional bartender or just getting started at home, having quality tools will help take your craft cocktail game up a notch! From jiggers and shakers to strainers and muddlers, having these essentials in your bartender toolbox will give you everything you need for creating lip-smacking libations every time. So what are you waiting for? Get mixing!