BAR EQUIPMENT & TOOLS
If you use the appropriate tools, you don't have to be a
professional bartender to be able to mix original drinks.
You may find some utensils listed below already
in your home, and you can always improvise with everyday kitchen gadgets.
However, if you go shopping to stock up on bar gadgets, the important thing to
remember is that the utensils should be easy to clean after use. Keep in mind
that stainless-steel and glass items are the easiest to clean.
A cocktail shaker is an absolute must for your home bar. It
is primarily used to mix drinks with ingredients that are difficult to combine
smoothly, such as egg yolks, liqueurs, fruit juices, and cream. Any good
bar-supply store will stock a variety of shakers and you are certain to find one
to fit your budget and needs.
One standard version, is a three-part shaker, which consists
of a beaker, a lid, and a built-in strainer, to hold back pieces of ice fruit
pits and seeds when pouring the
cocktail. Its disadvantage is that the strainer
is very difficult to clean and the liquid pours out slowly.
The two part Boston shaker consists of a large
stainless-steel beaker and a smaller one made of lead crystal, which fits inside
and has the advantage that the glass beaker is also suitable for use as a mixing
glass.
When you use a two-part shaker or a mixing glass, you will
need a round, stainless-steel bar strainer. This features an edge like a coiled
spring, and it should fit exactly into the top of the shaker or mixing glass,
making it indispensable when straining
cocktails so ice and piece of fruit or
pits do not fall into the glass. If necessary, you can use a new tea strainer
instead.
You will need a mixing glass, sometimes called a shaker
glass, for every drink which is
stirred, not shaken, such as clear drinks and
those made from easily blended
ingredients. When shopping for a mixing glass,
look for one with capacity of about 1 quart (enough for 3 or 4 drinks).
A long-handed bar spoon is a versatile tool used by
bartenders to stir the ingredients in the mixing glass, as a measuring spoon to
add the correct amount of ingredients to many
cocktails, and to crush flavoring
ingredients. Most bar-spoon handles are 10 inches long and made of stainless
steel or silver.
At the top of the handle there is usually a disc called a
muddler used to "muddle", or crush, pieces of fruit, herbs, or sugar cubes. The
spoon on the opposite end holds /6 ounce of liquid, or the same amount as a
standard kitchen teaspoon. The rounded back of the spoon is also useful for
slowly pouring layers of liqueurs into a
glass when you do not want the
layers
to mix.
This is truly an indispensable item for your bar, because exact quantities of ingredients are needed for every drink.
This tools is usually made of stainless steel with a 1-ounce cup at one end,
called a pony, and a 1½ to 2 ounce measure at the other end, called a jigger.
Alternatively you can use a standard shot
glass with markings on it. If you do
not have either measure, use a standard set of kitchen measuring spoons — 3
teaspoons, or 1 tablespoon, equal ½ ounce, 4 teaspoons equal Ύ ounce, and 2
tablespoons equal 1 ounce.
An electric blender is useful, especially for drinks like
frozen daiquiris and those with
ingredients that are not easily combined, but it
is not essential.
To purιe fruit, whip cream, or prepare frozen drinks, frappιs,
and milk shakes, you need a blender with continuous speed adjustments, or you
can use an everyday food processor.
If drinks with crushed ice become a regular
request consider investing in an electric ice shaver.
Use a standard ice bucket, widely available in various sizes
and materials, to keep frozen ice cubes conveniently at hand for the duration of
the party or cocktail session. Ice tongs or an ice shovel are ideal to remove
ice from the bucket (do not use your fingers), but if you do not have either,
use a large spoon.
Fresh fruit juices can be prepared using a lemon squeezer or
juicer. Many long drinks contain soda water, which is best added to the
glass
using a siphon. To use one, you simply fill the siphon with water from the
faucet or use still mineral water. A carbon dioxide cartridge will make sure the
water is always carbonated when you want it.
Another very useful tool is a pair of bar tongs, which can
be used to loosen tight corks in champagne and other sparkling wines. A bitters
or dash bottle has a doser cap and is good for storing ingredients that are only
used in small dashes.
Additional Supplies
The other pieces of equipment that help to make your job
enjoyable are:
Lemon Squeezer
Chopping Board
Nutmeg Grater
Sharp Knife
Citrus Zester
Small Dishes
Cork with Pouring Spout
Can Opener
Bottle Opener |
Corkscrew
Bottle Cooler
Toothpicks
Drinking Straws
Drinks Stirrers
Coasters
Towels and Hand Cloths
Glassware |
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