A mixologist is essentially a bartender, but with a little more flair. Making a good drink comes down to a good recipe, a bit of practice and the right tools. We’ll break down the key home mixology tools, and how to use them. Most of these tools will become staples of your home bar and are rather inexpensive. Whether you're looking for a mixology set or standalone items, we rounded up the best bartender tools for beginner mixologists.
In this article: Tovolo Inch Large King Craft Ice Mold Freezer Tray, American Metalcraft Bar Jigger and Kitch Easy-Release White Ice Cube Tray
Aside from the Hot Toddy, the entire cocktail category is chilled and frosty. Ice cubes are an integral and often underlooked part of the mixologist’s toolkit. It varies by drink, but approximately 25% of all cocktails are water, most of which comes from the ice diluting when it’s shaken or stirred. Quality ice cubes can improve your drink dramatically.
Tovolo Inch Large King Craft Ice Mold Freezer Tray
This ice cube tray is food-grade silicone which makes it pliable, easy to use, and creates slow-melting ice. Plus, large cubes of ice look great in a highball or Collins glass. It is easy to clean and stacks neatly while freezing, and the ice cubes are very large. Since it only holds six ice cubes, you may need to buy a few trays.
OXO Good Grips Silicone Stackable Ice Cube Tray with Lid - Large Cube
This tray offers smaller ice cubes that fit well and the tray is durable. The silicone lid makes it easy to get rid of excess water before freezing. While it's highly rated, keep in mind that the silicone lid is not leakproof.
Kitch Easy-Release White Ice Cube Tray
These budget-friendly ice trays are easy to use and come in packs of four. The ice cubes release with minimal effort. Be aware that some users have experienced plastic-tasting ice cubes, and the trays may freeze together in the freezer.
Unlike cooking which finds balance in complementary ingredients, many cocktails find balance in contrast. Key considerations for a jigger are comfort, readable measurements and minimal spillage.
OXO Steel Angled Measuring Jigger
This fills at an angle, which makes it easy to get precise measurements. The design is reminiscent of traditional measuring cups, which should make it very easy to use. It’s less stylish than some options and not as exciting to pour from, but it's still a solid pick.
American Metalcraft Bar Jigger
This jigger is extremely affordable and made with thin but durable stainless steel. It outcompetes the competition at its price point in terms of precision measurement. However, it's not the most comfortable and does not feel balanced in the hand.
A gorgeous polished metal jigger with clearly engraved measurements. One side is 2 ounces, the other 1 ounce. Made with stainless steel, the weight of the jigger makes it rest comfortably in your fingers. On the downside, it's more expensive and might not fit snugly in the dishwasher.
When considering which cocktail shaker to get, you have two major styles to choose from. The Boston shaker has a larger metal bottom tin and a smaller metal or glass top tin. The cobbler shaker is a three-part tin with a large metal bottom tin, a curved metal top tin and a cap with a built-in strainer on top. Both styles are effective and it ultimately comes down to preference.
Cocktail Kingdom Leopold Weighted Tin Set
This Boston shaker set of tins separate effortlessly and are made of stainless steel. They won't warp in the dishwasher, which should ensure a tight seal even after multiple uses.
This is an effective Boston shaker set that offers additional stability with a weighted capped bottom. It's made of stainless steel, has a lifetime warranty and comes in an assortment of flashy colors. This shaker set seals very well, which can make it difficult to unseal.
Etens 24-Ounce Bar Cocktail Shaker
This cobbler shaker seals well and elegantly pours out of the slotted lid. It features a built-in strainer and jigger cap. Made of dishwasher-safe stainless steel, it comes in a silver, gold or black finish.
Many cocktails require careful dilution to be delicious and silky smooth. A long stirring spoon, often spiraled and decorative, allows the mixologist to stir from a distance, thereby keeping warm hands away from the glass. The right stirring spoon feels good in the hands, does not break or bend easily and looks rather dashing.
Barfly 13-Inch Standard Bar Spoon
This is a durable, stainless steel stirring spoon that should not bend in the dishwasher. The other side of the spoon is tapered to be smooth, which lets you handle small garnishes.
Hiware 12-inch Stainless Steel Mixing Spoon
This is an affordable and well-made spiraled stirring spoon in a nice length. The spiral is tight and fits nicely for twirling between your fingers. While durable, other models can take more wear and tear.
Cocktail Kingdom 13-Inch Skull Bar Spoon
An exceptionally durable spoon with a distinct and bold design. With a unique skull hilt, its artistic aesthetic is a conversation starter. Keep in mind that it's not dishwasher-safe.
All of that ice will continue to dilute the drink and can make the drink taste unbalanced and texturally undesirable. Right after we have shaken or stirred our beverage, we then strain out the liquid contents into the appropriate glassware.
This is an extremely durable cocktail strainer that easily rests atop the shaker. There is a silicone rest for your finger to give you leverage and reduce spillage. While it's a popular choice, be aware that some complain that the spring in the strainer is too loose.
Winco Stainless Steel 4-Prong Bar Strainer
This strainer uses four prongs to sit atop the drink, which works well and does allow for easy pours. It's dishwasher-safe and extremely affordable, but it's not very durable and a bit cumbersome to hold.
Cocktail Kingdom Koriko Two-Prong Hawthorne Strainer
Two prongs rest on the front of the glass while the rest of the strainer allows for a comfortable and easily controlled pour. It is stainless steel and uses a very high-quality, tight coil. With high design standards comes a higher price point.
Some mixologists prefer the convenience of an all-in-one bartending kit. The essential components are a cocktail shaker, strainer, jigger cup, ice tongs and a bar spoon. More comprehensive sets may contain pourers, shot glasses, bottle stoppers, a corkscrew and a garnish knife.
Barillio Elite 24-Ounce Cocktail Shaker Bartender Kit
This complete mixology kit includes both essentials and extra cocktail accessories with quality stainless steel construction. The set contains a cobbler shaker with a built-in strainer lid, a cocktail muddler, a mixing spoon, a double-size jigger, a lemon squeeze, ice tongs, cocktail picks, a strainer, corkscrew and liquor pour spouts. You also get a bamboo stand for storing the accessories, a carry bag to take the shaker on the go and a cocktail recipe book. The kit comes in a silver, black, gold or rose copper finish.
AOZITA 24-Ounce Cocktail Shaker Bartender Kit
This bartending kit is a bit more comprehensive than the previous one, with a higher price tag to boot. It has all the same components in stainless steel, including a carry bag, stand and cocktail recipes. Unlike the other cobbler shaker kit, this one also contains a corkscrew and cleaning brushes.
Highball & Chaser Boston Cocktail Shaker Bar Set
This high-end bartending kit is as sleek as they come, available in antique gold, antique copper, gunmetal black and two silver-finish options. It's a basic set containing a larger 28-ounce Boston shaker, a muddler, a bar spoon, a jigger, a bar knife, two strainers, a scoop, two pourers, a zester/peeler and bottle opener, complete with stand and online recipes.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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