5 Must-Have Bar Tools for Bartending

As a bartender, having the right barware at your disposal can make all the difference when it comes to crafting delicious and visually appealing cocktails. Whether you’re just starting out or have been in the industry for a while, investing in quality barware is a must.

So come with us as we take a look at the five essential tools that every bartender should have in their arsenal. These bar tools will not only make your job easier, but they’ll also help you create better-tasting cocktails for your customers.

 

A cocktail jigger is a small, hourglass-shaped measuring device used to ensure accurate measurements of ingredients in cocktails. It’s one of the most basic and essential bar tools, and it’s an absolute must-have for any bartender. A jigger typically has two sides with different measurement markings, making it easy to measure out precise amounts of spirits, liqueurs, and other ingredients.

A jigger is crucial for creating consistent and balanced cocktails. Without one, you may end up using too much or too little of an ingredient, which can result in a poorly balanced drink. Additionally, using a jigger allows you to easily replicate a particular recipe, ensuring that your customers receive the same delicious drink every time they order it.

A cocktail mixing glass is a large glass used to stir and mix ingredients for cocktails. It’s typically used in conjunction with a bar spoon, which is a long-handled spoon specifically designed for stirring cocktails. Together, these two bar tools are essential for creating perfectly stirred cocktails, such as spirit-forward classics like the Martini and Manhattan.

Using a mixing glass allows you to properly mix ingredients without diluting them too much with ice, resulting in a smoother and more balanced drink. It also gives you more control over the mixing process, allowing you to ensure that all ingredients are well-combined. Additionally, a mixing glass can also be used for chilling a cocktail before serving it by filling it with ice.

Bar spoons are long-handled spoons specifically designed for stirring cocktails. It’s typically used in conjunction with a mixing glass, which is a large glass used to stir and mix ingredients for cocktails.

Additionally, a bar spoon can also be used for layering cocktails, a technique used to create visually appealing drinks.

 

A cocktail muddler is a small tool used to crush and mash fruits, herbs, and spices in a cocktail shaker or mixing glass. It’s essential for extracting the flavors and oils from these ingredients, which can add depth and complexity to a cocktail. Muddling is particularly useful for creating fresh and fruity drinks, such as Mojitos and Caipirinhas.

Muddlers allow you to easily and quickly crush ingredients, resulting in a more flavorful and aromatic drink. It also gives you more control over the muddling process, allowing you to ensure that all ingredients are well mashed and combined. Additionally, a muddler can also be used for crushing ice, which can be useful for creating frozen drinks.

A bottle opener is a small tool used to open bottles of beer, wine, and other beverages. It may seem like a small and insignificant tool, but it’s essential for any bartender, as it allows you to quickly and easily open bottles without breaking the seal or damaging the contents.

Having an effective bottle opener on hand is crucial for keeping up with the demands of a busy bar, and it can save you a lot of time and hassle. Additionally, a bottle opener can also be used for other tasks, such as removing bottle caps or opening cans without touching the can’s top where a customer’s mouth will go.

When it comes to purchasing a bottle opener, there are several options to choose from. Some popular choices include wall-mounted bottle openers, which can be easily mounted and accessed, and keychain bottle openers, which can be easily carried and used on the go.

 

Having the right barware and bar tools is essential for any bartender. Investing in quality barware is an important step in improving your skills as a bartender and providing your customers with an enjoyable and satisfying drinking experience. Remember to choose the best barware for your needs, whether it’s for durability, ease of use, or design. Happy mixing!