Shaken, Not Chunky: Why Strainers Need To Be Part Of Your Home Bar
Of the different bartending tools that are used for blending drinks, one of the most essential equipment is the cocktail strainer. Used for removing the herbal, citrusy and fruity residue from drinks, as well as for taking out stray chunks of ice that remain in a drink after it is shaken or stirred, cocktail strainers are important for both texture and aesthetic in mixology.
As a novice mixologist or bartender, you can use different kinds of strainers like a fine mesh strainer for catching the micro bits in egg white or herb-infused drinks, or you can go for the classic spring-coiled Hawthorne strainer which is used for shaken drinks. There is also the julep strainer to consider, for straining stirred cocktails as it can be used directly over bowl-shaped mixing glasses. Knowing why strainers are important in mixology can thus go a long way in determining which one to use while blending specific drinks and the effect it will have on the cocktail blend.
Read on below to know more about the function of cocktail strainers and some of the reasons why this bartending equipment needs to be part of your mixology apparatus:
Textural Effect
One of the primary and most apparent effects that strainers have on cocktails is influencing their textures. When a drink is strained to remove all of the residue from the blend, it acquires a clear and smooth composition and a very refined touch that is ideal for serving such a cocktail at a party or gathering. Straining also removes small bits of herbs or little fruit seeds and peels which might have seeped into the cocktail making it rather chunky. This process filters out any other leftovers which might hamper with the precise, finished look of the cocktail.
Presentation Matters
If a cocktail is served in a rocks glass or bowl-shaped cocktail servingware immediately after it is shaken or stirred, it can appear a little bit cloudy and lose out on its aesthetic appeal. Such a drink served without straining contains a lot of excess foam, shards of ice and muddled herbs just floating in the glass, leading to a clumsy look. So, cocktail strainers become important for bettering the presentation of drinks such that a strained martini cocktail acquires the most sophisticated and elegant, clear and crisp look when it is served at the bar.
Cocktail Proficiency
Along with presentation, what strainers also impact is the overall feel and make of the cocktail blend. Sometimes, mixologists double strain a drink, first using a Hawthrone strainer to take out ingredient residue, and then using a fine mesh strainer in order to serve a clean drink. This is essential for showcasing a more polished texture which stands out for its advanced and detailed craftsmanship.
Controlled Dilution
Another role that strainers have to play revolves around the science of blending drinks. Dilution, or the process of adding ice to drinks for tapering down some of the more robust flavours in blends, is integral to cocktail craft. However, once the drink’s flavours are sufficiently balanced, leftover ice cubes might hasten the dilution process to deliver a flat mix. Cocktail strainers come in handy here because they take out all the excess ice to retain the flavour balance in drinks while keeping them chilled.
Layering Essentials
Cocktail strainers are also crucial for layering mixes. Once a drink like a whisky sour is shaken properly, a good Hawthorne strainer can be placed over the serving glass to add the drink cleanly and slowly into the container, gradually building its foamy layer. Strainers are also useful while blending mixes containing multiple spirits because they enable smooth serving to avoid spirits of different densities from mixing prematurely.
Also Read: Build A Home Bar Cabinet To Entertain In Style
Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
