Mixology is the art of blending various products to create cocktails that are as delicious as they are original. If you’re one of those planning to get into this discipline, know that it’s essential to invest in quality and specific equipment to enhance each ingredient, develop your skills, and offer cocktails with a thousand and one flavors. In addition to the ice machine, which saves a lot of time, other utensils can be very useful when it comes to making your cocktails!
The #1 essential piece of equipment: the shaker
A shaker isn’t a must-have for making every type of cocktail or drink, but it’s the ultimate must-have for any budding mixologist. Likewise, bartenders who want to be able to create the most popular cocktails, such as the Blue Lagoon or the Cosmopolitan, among others, will need this tool.
To choose the right equipment, it’s a good idea to consider your mixing skills. If you’re just starting in the wonderful world of mixology, consider a three-piece model, which is extremely handy while offering a smaller mixing surface.
If you’re past the discovery stage and have already mastered the basics, you can start with a two-piece shaker, such as the Continental or the Boston. You can also turn to a cocktail kit if you don’t want to build your set of utensils piece by piece.
Other essentials for successful cocktails: the jigger and the strainer
Once you’ve found the right shaker for you, you’ll need to get a jigger and a strainer.
A jigger is a device that allows you to measure the quantity of each ingredient with great precision. It helps prevent preparation errors and compromises the success of your cocktail. Models with units of measurement in milliliters and centiliters are preferred. You can also opt for an aesthetically pleasing model that will allow you to put on a real show for your guests!
Unlike the jigger, the strainer is used at the end of each cocktail preparation. It’s a metal strainer that will be used to filter each mixture without letting any residue pass through, which could alter the final result of your drinks. You can choose a strainer with a large spoon shape like the Julep strainer or in the form of a strainer like the Hawthorne model. The latter has the appearance of a disc surrounded by a spring. It has a more stylish design than the Julep and has the advantage of adapting perfectly to all types of shakers, even those with a large cup.
Additional equipment useful for all bartenders and mixologists
Once you have your shaker, jigger, and strainer, you can get started and make your cocktails or draw inspiration from existing recipes. It’s still recommended to supplement your cocktail equipment with other items such as: mixing glasses and spoons, scales, a siphon, an ice mill, an electric mixer, a mallet, a zester or citrus press, etc.
