| eat Tools Maketh A Great Bartender - That, and | | | | do is add the ingredients and ice to the tumbler, |
| the deft art of shaking a cocktail while flashing | | | | close tightly with the lid as well as the additional |
| your megawatt smile a la Tom Cruise in the | | | | cover, shake well. When its done, simply open the |
| movie "Cocktail". While he may not exactly be | | | | outer cover and pour the drinks out through the |
| famous for bartending any more, this is the | | | | strainer. |
| movie that launched him into superstardom. If | | | | Corkscrew |
| that's what nifty bartending skills can do for you, | | | | Take your pick - there's plenty to choose from in |
| it's definitely worth equipping yourself with some | | | | a wide range of styles, from the zaniest to the |
| great bartending tools. | | | | most staid. You'll need it to open up that bottle of |
| While great tools may make a GREAT bartender, | | | | bubbly and for all kinds of wines as well. Buy the |
| don't forget it is practice that will make you a | | | | best one you can afford; it's worth it. |
| PERFECT bartender. Here are some of the tools | | | | Jigger |
| you'll need if you intend impressing your guests | | | | More popularly called a bar measure because |
| with your bartending skills. | | | | that's exactly what it does; a jigger is |
| Shaker | | | | indispensable for measuring your ingredients |
| Used to mix two or more drinks that normally do | | | | accurately. Pouring the various alcoholic and |
| not easily combine together, a shaker is an | | | | non-alcoholic components in approximate quantities |
| absolute must in any bartender's tool kit. Two of | | | | does not a good cocktail make. Too much alcohol |
| the most popular types of shakers are the | | | | will ruin a drink as much as too little will. Glass |
| two-piece Boston shaker and the three-piece | | | | jiggers allow you to measure out only 1 oz at a |
| Cobbler shaker. | | | | time whereas steel jiggers are calibrated to |
| The Boston shaker comprises of two tumblers; a | | | | measure a 'pony' or ¾ oz at one end and |
| glass tumbler that has a 500-ml capacity and a | | | | a 'jigger' or 1 ½ oz at the other. |
| stainless steel tumbler that can hold up to 900 ml. | | | | Can/Bottle Opener |
| Measure out the various ingredients including the | | | | You'll need it for opening all kinds of bottled drinks |
| spirits, liqueurs, mixers and ice and add them into | | | | from beers to coolers and juices. |
| the glass tumbler. When the metal tumbler is | | | | Champagne Stopper |
| placed over the glass container, it forms a tight | | | | Not to be confused with other kinds of bottle |
| seal, allowing you to shake the cocktail without | | | | stoppers, champagne stoppers are specially |
| the fear of anything spilling. Most professional | | | | designed to keep the bubbly, well… bubbly. |
| bartenders favor this shaker because of its ease | | | | If champagne is a must at most of your parties, |
| in cleaning, which can be of great importance | | | | the champagne stopper cannot be far behind. |
| when you know you are going to be spending the | | | | Ice Bucket and Tongs |
| night shaking cocktails. | | | | Using tongs to pick up one ice cube at a time and |
| The Cobbler Shaker is easier to use and is the | | | | drop it into your glass may test your guest's |
| one you will see in most households. This shaker | | | | patience to the limit, especially if your guest is |
| is made up of three parts; a metal tumbler, a | | | | drinking scotch on the rocks, but it sure beats |
| snug-fitting lid with a built-in strainer and a small | | | | having anyone reach in and grab a few handfuls |
| cap that fits tightly over the lid. All you need to | | | | of ice. |