Bar Tools

Atomizer

A small spray bottle used to mist spirits or bitters over a cocktail or into a glass for a rinse. Creates an even, fine distribution of aromatic ingredients with minimal liquid.

Bar Spoon

A long-handled spoon with a twisted shaft, used for stirring cocktails, layering drinks, and measuring small amounts of ingredients.

Also: cocktail spoon, mixing spoon

Blender

An electric appliance used to combine and puree ingredients, essential for frozen cocktails and drinks requiring a smooth, uniform texture.

Also: bar blender, drink mixer

Cheesecloth

A loosely woven cotton gauze fabric used for straining. In cocktails, it's essential for milk clarification and making clear cordials or shrubs. Multiple layers provide finer filtration. Coffee filters can substitute for very fine straining.

Citrus Juicer

A manual or electric tool designed to extract juice from citrus fruits like lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruits for use in cocktails.

Also: Mexican elbow juicer, citrus press

Cocktail Shaker

A cocktail shaker is the bartender's primary mixing vessel for shaking cocktails with ice. The three main types are the Boston shaker (two-piece: tin and glass), the Cobbler shaker (three-piece: tin, strainer, and cap), and the French or Parisian shaker (two-piece: all metal). The Boston shaker is preferred by professional bartenders for speed and efficiency.

Also: shaker, Boston shaker

Fine Mesh Strainer

A small conical strainer with very fine mesh used for double-straining cocktails. Essential for removing ice shards, fruit pulp, and herb fragments from shaken drinks.

Fine Strainer

A small mesh strainer used in conjunction with a Hawthorne strainer to remove fine particles like ice chips, fruit pulp, and egg white foam from cocktails.

Also: tea strainer, mesh strainer

Jigger

A double-sided measuring tool used to precisely measure liquid ingredients for cocktails, typically with two different capacities on each end.

Also: measure, shot measure

Lewis Bag

A canvas bag used to crush ice by hand with a mallet, creating the irregular crushed ice preferred for drinks like Juleps and Cobblers.

Also: ice bag, crushing bag

Mixing Glass

A large, heavy glass vessel used for stirring cocktails that should remain clear and silky, typically spirit-forward drinks without citrus or dairy.

Also: yarai glass, stirring glass

Muddler

A pestle-like tool used to crush fruits, herbs, and sugar in the bottom of a glass or shaker to release their flavors and essential oils.

Also: pestle, masher

Nutmeg Grater

A small grater specifically designed for freshly grating whole nutmeg. Essential for drinks like the Brandy Alexander, Atholl Brose, and various flip cocktails.

Peeler

A tool used to remove thin strips of citrus zest for garnishes and expressed oils, creating elegant twists and flavor accents for cocktails.

Also: Y-peeler, channel knife

Pour Spout

A tapered spout inserted into liquor bottles that allows for controlled, consistent pouring and faster service.

Also: speed pourer, bottle pourer

Strainer

A bar tool that separates ice and solid ingredients from the liquid cocktail when pouring into a serving glass.

Also: Hawthorne strainer, julep strainer

Swizzle Stick

A stirring rod with forked branches at the end, traditionally carved from the Quararibea turbinata tree native to the Caribbean. Spun rapidly between the palms to mix and chill drinks directly in the glass.