Cocktail Equipment
When it comes to making cocktails, the process is not as complicated
as many people think. It really is just mixing alcohol with sweet and
bitter ingredients. However, you do need some special equipment to get
started.
Perhaps the most vital piece of cocktail ware is the shaker. A
cocktail shaker is essentially a closed canister that can quickly mix up
drink ingredients. With a shaker, everything is evenly blended without
the mess of stirring or blending. To use a shaker, simply add ice and
all your liquids, cover, and shake it up for five to ten seconds.
There are actually three types of cocktail shakers. First, the “Boston
Shaker” is made up of two pieces; a bottom and a mixing cup. Since this
shaker doesn’t have a strainer, drinks needing to be strained will
require a separate piece of equipment. Similarly, the “French Shaker”
also has two pieces; a base and a cap. In contrast, the “Cobbler Shaker”
has three pieces and a strainer. The third piece, a cap, is also ideal
for measuring ingredients.
If you don’t plan to use a shaker, or if you are making clear drinks,
you will need a stirrer. Sure, a spoon might seem like a great
alternative, but many bartenders like to dress up their drinks with
decorative stirrers, which as sometimes called “swizzle sticks.” You may
actually want to get a special, long-stem spoon made for drink stirring,
which is also great for adding garnishes and pulling olives from a jar
(for martinis).
Next up, you will need the strainer we discussed above. A strainer is
used to remove the ice after a drink has been mixed. They are sized to
fit over the mouth of a shaker and have flexible rings to ensure a
secure fit. This prevents spillage and ensures the entire drink makes it
from the shaker to the glass. The best strainers are made from stainless
steel. However, there is some debate over the ideal shape. There are
both two-prong and four-prong strainers. The prongs help hold the device
in place while the drink is poured. Ultimately, though, the type of
strainer you prefer is based upon the shaker you use.
Finally, there are a bunch of other useful tools you may want to add
to your bar. For example, some people like to get special picks to
remove garnishes, like olives, from drinks. Another important piece of
cocktail equipment is the jigger. Jiggers are perfect for measuring
drink ingredients. They are essentially double-sided with a larger
measurer at one side and a small one, used for the actual liquor, on the
other. You will probably also want a small cutting board for additions
like lemons or limes. For keeping ice, consider a simple ice bucket and
tongs. Some people also keep a juicer on hand so they can use fresh
fruit juice in their drinks.
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