Top beginner’s tools for mixology
A mixologist is essentially a bartender, but with a little more flare. 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.
Shop this article: Tovolo Inch Large King Craft Ice Mold Freezer Tray, American Metalcraft Bar Jigger and Kitch Easy Release White Ice Cube Tray
Best 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 percent 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.
Top ice cube tray
Tovolo Inch Large King Craft Ice Mold Freezer Tray
What you need to know: 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.
What you’ll love: It is easy to clean and stacks neatly while freezing, and the ice cubes are very large.
What you should consider: It only holds six ice cubes, which means you may need to buy a few.
Sold by Amazon and Kohl’s
Top ice cube tray for the money
OXO Good Grips Silicone Stackable Ice Cube Tray with Lid - Large Cube
What you need to know: This tray offers smaller ice cubes that fit well and the tray is durable.
What you’ll love: The silicone lid makes it easy to get rid of excess water before freezing.
What you should consider: Unfortunately, the silicone lid is not leakproof and some users say the tray transfers an unpleasant plastic taste to the ice cubes.
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Ice cube tray worth checking out
Kitch Easy Release White Ice Cube Tray
What you need to know: These standard ice trays are easy to use and come in packs of four
What you’ll love: Ice cubes release with minimal effort.
What you should consider: Some users have experienced plastic-tasting ice cubes. The trays may freeze together in the freezer.
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The best cocktail measure, aka “jigger”
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.
Top cocktail measure
OXO Steel Angled Measuring Jigger
What you need to know: This fills at an angle, which makes it easy to get precise measurements.
What you’ll love: The design is reminiscent of traditional measuring cups, which should make it very easy to use.
What you should consider: It’s less stylish than some options, and it’s not as exciting to pour from.
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Top cocktail measure for the money
American Metalcraft Bar Jigger
What you need to know: This jigger is extremely affordable and made with thin but durable stainless steel.
What you’ll love: Outcompetes the competition at its price point in terms of precision measurement.
What you should consider: Not the most comfortable and does not feel balanced in the hand.
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Cocktail measure worth checking out
A Bar Above Bell Jigger
What you need to know: A gorgeous polished metal jigger with clearly engraved measurements. One side is 2 ounces, the other 1 ounce.
What you’ll love: Made with stainless steel, the weight of the jigger makes it rest comfortably in your fingers.
What you should consider: More expensive, might not fit snugly in the dishwasher.
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The best cocktail shaker
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.
Top cocktail shaker
Cocktail Kingdom Leopold Weighted Tin Set
What you need to know: This Boston shaker set of tins separate effortlessly and are made of stainless steel.
What you’ll love: Will not warp in the dishwasher, which should ensure a tight seal even after multiple uses.
What you should consider: Not the most affordable, some other shakers are ornate or colorful.
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Top cocktail shaker for the money
Barfly Shaker Cocktail Tin
What you need to know: Effective Boston shaker set that offers additional stability with a weighted capped bottom. Made of stainless steel.
What you’ll love: Lifetime warranty, and comes in an assortment of flashy colors.
What you should consider: Seals very well which can make it difficult to unseal.
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Cocktail shaker worth checking out
Simple Craft 24 oz Cocktail Shaker
What you need to know: This cobbler shaker seals well and elegantly pours out of the slotted lid.
What you’ll love: Slender base makes it easier to hold for smaller hands.
What you should consider: Three-piece sets become unusable if you lose the cap.
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The best stirring spoon
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.
Top stirring spoon
Barfly Standard Bar Spoon
What you need to know: A durable, stainless steel stirring spoon that should not bend in the dishwasher.
What you’ll love: The other side of the spoon is tapered to be smooth, which lets you handle small garnishes.
What you should consider: Not particularly ornate. The 13-inch stirring spoon can be cumbersome.
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Top stirring spoon for the money
Hiware 12-inch Stainless Steel Mixing Spoon
What you need to know: This is an affordable and well-made spiraled stirring spoon in a nice length.
What you’ll love: The spiral is tight and fits nicely for twirling between your fingers.
What you should consider: While durable, other models can take more wear and tear.
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Stirring spoon worth checking out
Cocktail Kingdom Skull Bar Spoon
What you need to know: Exceptionally durable spoon with a distinct and bold design.
What you’ll love: The unique skull hilt of the spoon is a conversation starter.
What you should consider: Not dishwasher safe, and it is affordable if you buy it with an artistic aesthetic in mind.
Sold by Amazon
The best cocktail strainer
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.
Top cocktail strainer
OXO Steel Cocktail Strainer
What you need to know: This is an extremely durable cocktail strainer that easily rests atop the shaker.
What you’ll love: There is a silicone rest for your finger to give you leverage and reduce spillage.
What you should consider: Some complain that the spring in the strainer is too loose.
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Top cocktail strainer for the money
Winco Stainless Steel 4-Prong Bar Strainer
What you need to know: This strainer uses four prongs to sit atop the drink, which works well and does allow for easy pours.
What you’ll love: Dishwasher safe and extremely affordable.
What you should consider: Not very durable and a bit cumbersome to hold.
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Cocktail strainer worth checking out
Cocktail Kingdom Koriko Two-Prong Hawthorne Strainer
What you need to know: Two-prongs rest on the front of the glass while the rest of the straightener allows for a comfortable and easily controlled pour.
What you’ll love: It is stainless steel and uses a very high-quality, tight coil
What you should consider: High design standards result in a higher price point.
Sold by Amazon
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Chad Vickers is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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