Posts Categorized: Cocktails

The Hawthorn Strainer: Make More Professional Drinks

A Hawthorne strainer is a bar tool that you will often see in use by professional and amateur bartenders alike. It’s usually used for solid ingredients like fruit, vegetables, and ice. There is an easily removed spring on the inside of the strainer that helps to keep bits of fruit pulp, shards of ice, and other unwanted particles from getting into the cocktail. The spring on the inside of the hawthorn strainer makes it easy to use without spilling anything over the side. 

It can take some practice before using a Hawthorne strainer becomes second nature but once you have mastered how they work, you’ll find them indispensable at your home bar!

Anatomy of the Hawthorne Strainer

There are several components to your standard Hawthorn strainer that make them the go-to strainer for many shaken drinks. 

There is a disc-shaped piece that is perforated with small holes or slits that allow liquid to pass. The coiled spring is attached to the underside and is intended to catch the ice, fruit, or other particles and stop them from entering the serving glass. There is a handle on the side that makes it easy to hold and use, as well as a finger tab to help with “closing the gate”, or pushing the strainer down to the rim of the mixing glass or shaker tin.

There are some other variations of this type of cocktail strainer like the size of the handle, type of finer tab, tightness of the coil, and more depending on their application. Typically you will find Hawthorne strainers are made out of stainless steel but occasionally you might see one made from more durable materials like nickel-plated brass or polished copper alloy as well!

How To: Hawthorn Strainer Edition

The Hawthorn strainer is a little piece of barware that can really come in handy when it comes to cocktails. Follow the steps below and you’ll be straining cocktails like a pro in no time!

Steps

• Add your ingredients to the shaker or mixing glass and shake your cocktail until all elements have combined nicely together.
• Then take your Hawthorne Strainer and insert it into your Shaker so that the coil fits snuggly around the rim.
• Strain your cocktail into your serving glass by securing the strainer and the tin with one hand and pressing the finger tab downwards with your index finger to nudge the strainer into position.
• Gently hold the strainer over the glass and pour your cocktail into the serving glass and add any remaining ingredients including additional ice, or garnishes.

Pro Tip: Hawthorn Strainer Style

There are two different styles of Hawthorne Strainers – the “over-rim” and the “vertical.” The vertical type is best for straining cocktails that have ingredients with a lot of pulp such as muddled mint or berries. It’s also great to use when you want more control over how much ice goes into your drink.

The over-rim style is perfect for everything else! Learn how to distinguish between the types by holding them in front of you, parallel to one another. If they both look like ‘A’ then it’s an Over Rim Style Hawthorne Strainer; if only one looks like A, then it’ll be Vertical Style instead.

Double Straining Your Cocktails

In combination with a fine mesh strainer, otherwise known as a tea strainer, you can sift out the smallest of particles including berry seeds and crushed ice from getting into your cocktail. Using double straining in this way will not take away from your beverage’s consistency or texture and you can be sure that all of those unwanted flavors and specks are gone with just this simple step. 

Want to Learn More About Home Barware?

For more information on the accessories and tools you may need for your home bar, check out our blog for great articles and tips! You can get the details on julep strainers, bar spoons, shakers – plus cocktail recipes and so much more!

The Secret to Fixing Your Perfect Cocktail – the Fine Mesh Strainer

Most of us have had a drink ruined by bits of fruit or tiny egg whites that made it through a single strainer. It’s frustrating to take one sip and be greeted with something you didn’t want in your drink. Fine mesh cocktail strainers, otherwise known as tea strainers, are bar and kitchen tool necessities. These strainers are small circular wire mesh screens that fit into a metal ring or globe and are often used in combination with a Hawthorne strainer or Julep strainer as an extra precaution.

How Fine Mesh Cocktail Strainer Works

Tea strainers can be used to make drinks without the worry of herbs, egg whites, fruit pieces, etc ruining their texture. Add your primary strainer to the cocktail shaker to remove the larger particles such as ice cubes, whole herbs, etc. Hold the fine mesh wire strainer over your glass by its handle and pour your cocktail through both strainers into the serving glass!

We have so many uses for this classic cocktail accessory these days—let Learn how to use a fine mesh cocktail strainer. It’s simple, and we’ll show you all the proper techniques that make your drinks taste better with fewer bits of fruit or other unwanted items floating in them.

The Right Way to Double Strain With a Fine Mesh Strainer

We all know that sometimes our Juleps and Hawthorne strainers just don’t get everything. But have no fear, the Fine Mesh Strainer is here to save the day! Simply pour your drink through it for a smooth beverage like nothing you’ve had before.

There are many fine strainer types, but the one we want to talk about is a fine mesh strainer. It’s small and circular with little holes in it so you can’t see through them. The idea of using this type of fine mesh strainer is that when fruit pieces or other undesirable substances get into your drink, they will get caught in the fine mesh and not make it to your glass. 

Adding a second strainer to the bar process can help you create an even smoother drink. The Fine Mesh Strainer is specifically designed for this purpose and will ensure all of your hard work in perfecting that cocktail has paid off!

How to Use a Fine Mesh Strainer:

• Attach your main strainer (either Hawthorne or Julep) to the shaker or mixing glass.
• Then hold the fine mesh cocktail strainer by its handle over the rim of your desired glass.
• Pour the drink through the main strainer and the fine strainer into your glass.
• The large particles, such as ice or chunks of fruit are caught by the primary strainer while anything that comes through it will be caught by your secondary mesh.
• Enjoy your perfectly smooth cocktail!

Fine Mesh Strainers for a Perfectly Clean Cocktail

The Fine Mesh Strainer is perfect for when you want to get every last drop out of your drink ingredients. It won’t ruin the cocktail by causing ice cubes or fruit pulp in it like other strainers might do! Plus, this tool makes cleaning up after yourself much easier than ever before because all you have to do is rinse it off instead of dealing with a bunch of wet messes. 

The metal ring, or globe, is usually made of good quality stainless steel, copper, aluminum alloy, or brass material that helps ensure that your cocktails are as clean and clear as possible! This means no fruit pieces sneaking by because they were too small to get captured on their own but big enough to slip past some other types of strainers.

Fine mesh cocktail strainers are used in combination with other types of bar strainers to ensure that your drink is well-filtered and without unwanted sediment.

Learn More About Stocking Your Home Bar Essentials

A home bar is a great place to entertain friends, relax with your family members or just have some time for yourself. A drink can be the perfect way of loosening up and getting in an even better mood! For more information on all the accessories you may need at your home bar, check out our blog where we talk about everything from Hawthorne strainers to cocktail recipes like Mint Juleps.

How to Use a Julep Strainer: A Mad Men-era Solution for Modern Cocktails

Ah, the julep strainer. The quintessential cocktail bar tool for a true bartender – amateur or professional. The perfect size to fit into a beaker or pint glass, it’s made of stainless steel and has a spoon-like bowl with holes that you use to remove unwanted ice or fruit pulp from your drink. We have so many uses for this classic cocktail accessory these days—let us show you how to put it to work in your own home bar.

If you use julep strainers, you know how hard it is to keep the darn thing balanced on top of your shaker or mixing glass while draining. If not then prepare yourself for a nail-biting experience as these things are slippery!

Does anyone remember how to use a julep strainer? We’ve got the 411.

Julep strainers are best used to strain larger bits from your drink, including shards of ice, fruit, and herbs. Similar to a slotted spoon these strainers can be used in the mixing process as well as when drinking. The julep strainer is also used to double as a makeshift bar spoon. It’s like two tools in one! 

We have so many uses for this classic cocktail accessory these days—let us show you how to put it to work in your own home bar:

“BOWL” FACING DOWN

• Place the Julep strainer in the glass or mixing tin, with the bowl of the spoon “cupping” the ice, like a bowl placed upside down. 
• With the index finger of your dominant hand, hold the strainer against the ice and slowly pour the liquid over it.

“BOWL” FACING UP

The Europ

• place the strainer in the mixing glass bowl side up, where the convex surface of the strainer will rest on top of your ice. 
• Gradually pour the liquid over the julep strainer, making sure to cover as much surface area as possible with liquid.

5 Drinks You Can Make with a Julep Strainer

The appropriate strainer for stirred cocktails – There are a plethora of drinks that can be made with a Julep strainer, so it is always a good idea to have a few on hand in your home bar. Here are just a few of our favorites:

• Manhattans
• Negronis
• Rob Roys
• Sazeracs 
• Mint Juleps

Julep strainers come in a variety of sizes, materials, and colors!

It’s easy to see how the julep strainer became a staple in many bars. Built for bartenders of all experience levels, it’s an essential tool that makes life so much easier when you are working at speed with multiple drinks or want your customers to have their preferred drink consistency.

This classic cocktail accessory is available from any reputable bartender supply company and can be purchased online or offline depending on what suits your needs best! The spoons come in different sizes, materials (stainless steel), colors, designs – even textures!

Interesting Factoid: Prior to the invention of modern dentistry, these spoons were used to hold back the crushed ice from drinkers’ sensitive teeth.

Now that we know the basics, let’s put it to work in your own home bar.

Our blog has tons of great articles on home bars that can be applied whether or not you’re entertaining guests. From cocktail recipes that are perfect for summer evenings outside with friends and family to tips on stocking up your home bar kit with bar spoons, cocktail strainers including Hawthorne strainers & fine mesh strainers, plus a lot more – it’s all waiting for you there! Check it out to learn more about julep strainers and other essential tools that will make your drink-making experience even better!

If you’re a bartender or cocktail enthusiast, check out our cocktail boxes and virtual cocktail classes!

What are the essential bar tools for a home bar? That’s a question that many people ask themselves when they’re setting up their first home bar. It would be hard to imagine not having any liquor or mixers, but what about cocktail shakers and glasses? Believe it or not – bar spoons are one of the most important tools in your bartender’s arsenal.

An Introduction to Bar Spoons: Choosing the Right One

Mixing drinks is about more than just alcohol. You’ll want to be sure you have the tools, no matter how basic they are! These include things like mixing containers, jiggers, straws, stirrers, garnishes, umbrellas, pepper shakers, ice trays, muddlers, toothpicks, and more!

If you’re like most people, your bar has a few bottles of liquor and some mixers. What else do you need?

Bar spoons are an essential tool for both inexperienced and professional bartenders. There are three main types of spoons to choose from, although the variations of each are endless from materials, like stainless steel or brass, to decorative design. Read below to learn more about these three most commonly found bar spoons for your home bar.

American Bar Spoon

The American Bar Spoon is the most basic of the three spoons. It’s typically a long-handled spoon with a rounded bowl and often features a slightly garish red cap on the end. Though it may not be as lavish as other spoons, this type is very durable and perfect for stirring in ingredients to drinks that will sit on ice like sodas, fruit juices, and liquors.

European Bar Spoon

The European Bar Spoon is a long-handled spoon with a flat bowl, perfect for breaking up pieces of ice. It’s also the most popular style among professional bartenders and may feature more flair in design than other spoons. European Bar Spoons have a spoon rest when not being used to avoid picking up bacteria from sitting on unclean surfaces.

Japanese Bar Spoon

The Japanese Bar Spoon is a long-handled spoon with a curved, flat bowl. This style of spoon is perfect for stirring drinks that need to be mixed vigorously and features the same benefits as European Bar Spoons in terms of sanitation. The extra-long stem works particularly well with tall mixing glasses and is a favorite of bartenders around the world.

The Story of the Humble Bar Spoon

The earliest British mention of spoons appeared in a legal document from 1279, and it’s around this time that one style of bar spoon emerged in Germany – the sucket fork – used to eat the fruit that was added for garnishing drinks. The sickle-shaped spoon is an old French apothecary tool that was popularized during the 1700s. It might also have served a similar function to spoons with heavy ornaments that date back as far as ancient Greece, but there are no records. 

The familiar bar spoon with a muddler on one end can be traced back to this humble device and helped it gain popularity in American bars around the 1800s when they started using them for stirring mixed drinks containing fruit, ice cubes, and herbs.

Bar Spoons: the Most Important Tool in a Bartender’s Arsenal

The bar spoon is the cherry on top of a well-made cocktail. Whether you’re looking for stainless steel, brass, or decorative spoons, there is something that will fit your needs and help make mixing drinks easier than ever before! 

So whether you want to be an expert bartender with all the right tools at your disposal or just get started making more professional cocktails in your home – these options are perfect for anyone who wants to learn how easy it can be. Reach out today if any of this sounds like what you need – we’re happy to provide some insight into which type would work best for you!

Essential Tools to Mix Drinks Like a Pro!

Whether you’re an experienced bartender or just looking to get started with mixology on a more professional level, these options will have something for everyone. So whether you want stainless steel or brass spoons, decorative designs like filigree, or engravings – there’s no wrong choice when it comes down to picking out which spoon is right for you!

Ever wonder how to shake a cocktail? You might be thinking, “isn’t shaking a drink the same as stirring?” but there is actually a real difference in how that affects the finished product. With so many different types of cocktail shakers on the market, it can get confusing what’s best for you. It’s not always as easy as pouring into a glass and adding ice but there are some basic rules you need to know before shaking up your next drink.

A History of the Cocktail Shaker: From Ancient South America to Modern Day

The ancient people of South America were the first to use a jar gourd as an enclosed container for mixing drinks. The earliest examples can be found around 7000 BCE, where early peoples would mix together cocoa beans with water or milk from animals that inhabited their region. 

In 1848 the New York Times credits George Foster with the first description of the modern cocktail shaking style: “With his shirt sleeves rolled up and in a fiery glow he seems to be pulling long ribbons out of tin cups.” However, it is likely that the metal-on-metal style that came to be known as the Boston shaker was around before then.

The way a person shakes their drink has come to symbolize an entire culture. By the dawn of the 20th century, cocktail shakers had solidified their position as bar necessity while evolving to 3 different types: one which dominated the American market known as Boston Shaker; then a Parisian version emerged in London; while a third type, cobblers, came last with the inclusion of a tiny metal perforated screen on top.

The Debate Over Which is the Best Cocktail Shaker

Boston Shaker

The Boston Shaker is the most widely used style of cocktail shaker in America. It consists of 2 metal cups with a larger and smaller tin, typically made from stainless steel that are fitted together. The metal tins are not connected and must be clinked together by hand when shaken for the seal to form between them while creating a more secure surface on which to shake things up inside.

Parisian Shaker

The French, or Parisian Shaker, developed in London,  England in the 1960s, is a two-piece metal item that fits snugly and tightly over one another to form a nearly air-tight seal when clinked. In general, this style of shaker has become more popular around the world than any other due largely to its versatility; it can be used with both wet or dry ingredients.

Cobbler Shaker

The Cobbler Shaker is a 3 piece shaker tin typically made from stainless steel that has a metal Hawthorne strainer built into the opening at its top to filter out any ice or other particles. The size, shape, and interior polish are what make it so appealing for bartenders to use in their craft as they can have more control over cocktails with this tool than without one.

Shake It Up: The Right Way to Shake a Cocktail

A lot of people might think the process is just as simple as dumping everything in a glass and adding fresh ice cubes but that’s not exactly how it works. The key to the perfect shaken cocktail is ensuring you shake long enough for your drink to get really cold before pouring into your pint glass – this will ensure a smoother texture overall. 

Shaking a cocktail for the perfect amount of time is key to ensuring that it tastes good. For most drinks, like Mojitos, 10 seconds in the shaker should be enough and produce an excellent drink. However, there are some recipes that either have loads of ingredients or that don’t usually mix well (like egg whites) where shaking longer, up to 30 seconds, will give you a better result.

Your shaking technique is also very important. Make sure to hold the shaker using your dominant hand with the palm facing the bottom of the shaker. If you are shaking drinks like martinis or iced tea then use an “up-and-down” shaking technique, but if you’re making something frothy such as a milkshake make sure to shake from side-to-side so that there are bubbles created inside. 

One thing no matter what drink recipe you’re using: be careful not to over mix when adding ingredients! This will cause too many fizzy bubbles which can ruin the final product.