Bar Tool
Muddler
Also known as: pestle, masher
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.
Muddlers come in wood, stainless steel, and plastic varieties. The flat or textured end presses against ingredients to extract juices from fruit and release aromatic oils from herbs. Wooden muddlers are traditional but require more care; stainless steel versions are more hygienic for commercial use. The key technique is pressing and twisting rather than pounding.
💡 Pro Tips
- Press and twist gently for herbs - don't shred them
- More pressure is fine for fruits
- Use the flat end for herbs, textured end for fruit
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Over-muddling mint and releasing bitter chlorophyll
- Not muddling sugar enough to dissolve it
- Using too much force and pulverizing ingredients
