Spring’s Perfect Cocktail
Whether your poison of choice is vodka or tequila or you’re riding the sober wagon, cocktails are a great addition to any dinner, lunch or even just a casual girls night in. But, there are certain tools and tricks that every cocktail chef needs to get it just right. Creating cocktails certainly involves some creativity and we’d argue at least a little bit of skill but frankly, without the proper tools you’re simply not going to achieve that level of cocktail creation that you and all of your friends are craving. You could be crafting a simple virgin margarita or the most “mixologist” inspired bev, and be lost. We’re here to break down all the tools you need for the perfect cocktail and why you need them.
Obvious first tool: a cocktail shaker. A shaker is an essential tool for any cocktail maker. It is used to mix and chill ingredients, giving the cocktail a consistent temperature and texture. There are two types of cocktail shakers: the Boston shaker and the Cobbler shaker. The Boston shaker consists of two metal tins that fit together and are used with a separate strainer, while the Cobbler shaker has a built-in strainer and a cap that fits on top. The choice between the two is largely a matter of personal preference, but we prefer the Boston Shaker for its level of ease to use.
Next level: a jigger. This is a measuring tool used to accurately measure ingredients for a cocktail. It typically has two sides. One that measures one ounce and another that measures 1⁄2 of an ounce. Some may have additional measurements on the sides for other common measurements, such as a quarter-ounce or three-quarter ounce. Measuring ingredients precisely is crucial for creating a balanced cocktail, and a jigger is the best way to ensure consistency from drink to drink.
Next you’re going to want a muddler. A muddler is a tool used to mash ingredients, such as herbs or fruit, in the bottom of a glass to release their flavors and aromas. It is typically made of wood or stainless steel and has a flat bottom with ridges to help crush the ingredients. This is essential for those of you who love a fruit infused cocktail with fruits like strawberries and watermelon.
The last three tools your cocktails are going require are a bar spoon, a strainer and a citrus juicer. A bar spoon is a long-handled spoon used to stir cocktails and is typically made of stainless steel and has a twisted handle that makes it easy to spin in the glass. Stirring is a gentler technique than shaking and is used for cocktails that contain only spirits, such as the Manhattan or the Negroni. If you’ve watched any show ever where there’s a bar scene, then you’ve probably seen this spoon.
A strainer is pretty self explanatory but if you’re a true beginner it is simply the tool used to strain out ice or other solids from a cocktail as it is poured into a glass. There are several types of strainers, but they all basically serve the same function and whichever one you purchase won’t have that durastic of an effect on your drinks. Now, many cocktails call for fresh citrus juice, such as lemon or lime juice. A citrus juicer makes it easy to extract juice quickly and efficiently. Hand-held citrus squeezers are inexpensive and effective for small batches, while electric juicers are more efficient for larger quantities but just like the strainer situation, whichever you choose should be just fine for making casual cocktails for friends and loved ones.
Excited for spring now that you’ve got the proper tools for the perfect cocktail? We know we can’t wait to upgrade our cocktail making sets and get crafty behind the bar, only question is, will you be there? Happy crafting!