Bar tools play a crucial role in the art of cocktail making, allowing bartenders and enthusiasts to create well-crafted drinks with precision and flair. Among these tools, the cocktail mixer stands out as a versatile and essential instrument in the world of mixology. There are several essential tools that aid in the creation of delightful cocktails.
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While the focus is often on shakers, jiggers, and muddlers, another unsung hero of the bartender's toolkit is the wooden cutting board. Although it may seem inconspicuous, a wooden cutting board serves a vital purpose in the bartending realm. A bartender cutting board is primarily used for the preparation of garnishes and fruits for cocktails. It provides a clean and safe surface on which bartenders can cut ingredients, ensuring the hygiene and presentation of the drinks they serve .
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The concept of mixing drinks dates back thousands of years. Fragments of gourd with traces of alcohol, identified as early as 7000 BCE, were used in South America to mix beverages [3]. However, the modern cocktail shaker, as we know it today, emerged in the mid-19th century. Before the invention of the shaker, the preferred method of mixing drinks involved tossing them back and forth between two glasses [3]. It is believed that the cocktail shaker was developed when someone, possibly an innkeeper, put two glasses together and shook them, resulting in cleaner and more thorough mixing [3].
By the 1850s, all-metal cocktail shakers had become standard equipment in bars, leading to their rapid adoption both in professional establishments and among home cocktail enthusiasts [3]. The shaker's popularity was further propelled by the publication of cocktail books that promoted its usage. In his seminal 1862 book, "How To Mix Drinks," Jerry Thomas already instructed readers to shake drinks using a tin egg-nog shaker [3]. This marked the beginning of the cocktail shaker era.
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Throughout the late 19th century, inventors and bartenders introduced various modifications and improvements to the cocktail shaker. Patents were filed, offering a wide range of tweaks, twists, and even some questionable ideas [3]. From this period of innovation, three types of shakers endured the test of time: the French shaker, the Boston shaker, and the cobbler shaker [3]. These shakers each had their unique design and functionality, catering to different mixing techniques and preferences.
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The French shaker consists of a metal tin and a mixing glass that fit together. Bartenders commonly use it for "dry shaking" cocktails, where ingredients are shaken without ice first, followed by shaking with ice to chill and dilute the drink. The Boston shaker, on the other hand, features a metal tin and a separate mixing glass, which are fitted together by forcefully tapping the glass into the tin. This shaker is known for its versatility and is favored by professional bartenders for its larger capacity and ease of use. Finally, the cobbler shaker incorporates a three-piece design, consisting of a metal tin, a built-in strainer, and a cap that doubles as a measuring device. The cobbler shaker is often favored by home bartenders for its simplicity and all-in-one functionality.
Beyond the cocktail mixer, a range of other bar tools have contributed to the evolution of cocktail culture. Strainers, jiggers, muddlers, bar spoons, and citrus squeezers are just a few examples of the tools that bartenders utilize to create perfectly balanced and visually appealing drinks.
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The history of bar tools, including the cocktail mixer, is closely intertwined with the development of the cocktail culture. From the early days of tossing drinks between glasses to the invention of the cocktail shaker, bartenders and mixologists have continually sought ways to refine and enhance the art of mixing cocktails. Today, these tools continue to play a vital role in creating the vibrant and diverse world of cocktails.
References:
- Drink mixer. Wikipedia. Retrieved from [2]
- A Brief History of Cocktail Shakers, Part 1 - Tales of the Cocktail Foundation. Retrieved from [3]
- The Golden Age Of Cocktails: When Americans Learned To Love Mixed Drinks. NPR. Retrieved from [4]
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