Behind The Scenes Of Bartending: How To Wield Mixology Tools Like A Total Pro
One of the most essential elements in building cocktails is the bartending equipment including cocktail shakers, muddlers, jiggers and bar spoons – each of which performs a distinct and significant function while blending drinks. Over time, mixologists have been working with these bartending tools to their full capacity for extracting maximum flavours and textures out of spirits, juices, syrups and other mixers that are used to prepare drinks.
For an amateur new to the world of mixing drinks, all of these tools might seem a tad overwhelming to use. Yet, with a bit of practice and a few handy hacks, it might just become possible to use these bar tools like a total pro.
Read on below for some simple tips and hacks that you can pick up to use mixology and cocktail blending tools just like a bartender would:
Listen To The Shaker’s Sounds
A very interesting technique for using the shaker like a pro is to actually listen to the sounds it is making. When all the ingredients are brought together in a cocktail shaker along with ice and given a thorough shake for 15-20 seconds, the sounds of the ice will change slowly from a rough rattle to a slightly dense tone which is indicative of the drink being mixed and chilled. Moreover, it is also possible to feel the condensation on a steel shaker that enables a mixologist to gauge whether the drink has cooled adequately.
Use Jiggers Fully
Without being too hesitant about repeatedly measuring ingredients, use jiggers to their fullest for using precise proportions of each and every element of the cocktail, especially if you are new to mixology. Ingredient proportions such as the golden ratio are very significant for blending a drink which is a perfect mix of tart, sour and fizzy flavours. So, use jiggers to measure out everything from the liquors being added to the drink, to the amount of citruses and syrups being used to build the cocktail.
Stirrers For Certain Cocktails
While most cocktails are shaken and not stirred, there are certain drinks such as the martini cocktail, which contrary to popular conception, is best served stirred. To make such cocktails like the manhattan or the martini cocktail, glide the spoon gently around the insides of a mixing glass to chill and dilute drinks without building too much air into them. To use a bar spoon for stirring like a pro, hold it loosely and spin using just your fingers instead of your whole arm.
Strainers Are A Mixologist’s Best Friend
One of the most important bar tools that you can master as a mixologist is the strainer. It is generally used to catch unwanted pulp, fruit skins or little strands of herbs that float around in the cocktail once it is shaken as they create a slight textural disturbance. Strain cocktails to smooth the drink out by holding the strainer firmly at the edges right over the serving glass and strain the drink into it. For a more professional touch, double strain the drink using both a Hawthorne and a mesh strainer especially while blending herbs and citrus-infused cocktails.
Muddle Herbs Gently
Muddling involves pressing down on the herbs and citruses that are being added to cocktails using a small bartending muddler that releases their essential oils, aromas and juices into drinks. To muddle like a proper pro, gently press on these ingredients using a muddler in slow, circular motions without smashing them because too much muddling can make herbs and citruses taste really bitter. So, gently press on a sprig of mint or a lime wedge placed at the bottom of the cocktail shaker to bring out their essence and then add the required spirits, syrups and mixers for bringing the drink together.
Also Read: 5 Super Essential Bar Tools For Crafting Perfect Cocktails And Mocktails At Home
Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
