Cocktail equipment

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What do I mean by cocktail equipment?

By cocktail equipment, I basically mean anything that helps me make cocktails faster and makes them taste better. That ranges from everyday household items to specialised cocktail sets.

Believe me when I tell you: some of these are going to change your world. Let’s dive right in.

Cocktail shaker

Cocktail shakers are essential to improving the taste of your cocktails. They’ll take your cocktail-making game up a notch, so it’s important you get the best cocktail shaker.

Jigger

It’s important to get the mix of any cocktail right. The measurements are set for a reason: to give you a tried, tested and tasty drink. A jigger helps you get those measurements perfect. After all, it’s what the pros use.

Hawthorne strainer

If you (or the person you’re buying for) don’t have a Hawthorne strainer as part of a cocktail shaker set, it’s a great, and incredibly useful, addition to your cocktail toolbox. The strainer holds back the ice (and any other bits you don’t want) as you pour your cocktail from the shaker into your glass.

Bar spoon

Bar spoons are great for cocktails you’re supposed to stir, rather than shake. Sure, you can probably stir your drink with any spoon, but bar spoons are the real deal. They’re long enough to reach the bottom of any glass, so you can stir properly. Their twisted spiral handle gives you a better grip. And they’re stainless steel, so they’re durable, won’t corrode and are easy to clean.

Mixing glass

If a cocktail recipe says to stir rather than shake, a mixing glass is the way to go. Why? Because it’s designed to make stirring and pouring easier. Also, it’s cooler.

Lemon squeezer

This one may sound a little strange, but it saves us hours. So many cocktails want lemon or lime juice, and squeezing them by hand is a pain. You don’t get all the juice out either, which is wasteful (nothing annoys me more!). If you feel the same way, a lemon squeezer is exactly what you need.

Blender

For the most part, we steer clear of blenders when it comes to making cocktails. Why? Because we specialise in quick and easy cocktails, and blenders don’t usually come into it. BUT if you want to make a killer Piña Colada, it has to be done.