Bartending Tools and Equipment

Definition flashcards of essential bartending tools and equipment based on lecture notes.

Cocktail Strainer / Bar Sieve

A tool used with a Boston shaker to strain mixed drinks; it is particularly helpful when straining into several glasses.

Bar Spoon

A spoon with a long handle used to stir mixed drinks in tall glasses; the back can also be used for layering drinks.

Bottle Opener / Bar Blade

A primary tool for a bartender used as an efficient instrument for opening beers at speed.

Bottle Pourers / Tapered Pour-Spouts

Stainless steel tools, specifically the 285-50 model, used to free-pour on regular $750\,ml$ and $1$ liter spirit, liqueur, and cordial bottles.

Boston Shaker / Tin and Mixing Glass

A two-part system where ingredients and ice are placed in a mixing glass, and a stainless steel shaker caps over it to form a seal.

Gas Torch

A small tool preferred by bartenders to brulee foams and caramelize fruit garnishes.

Hawthorne Strainer

A strainer used to remove ice and fruit from a Boston shaker; it can also separate egg yolks by cracking an egg into the spring side.

Jigger / Measurer

A stainless steel thimble measure used for liquids, with sizes typically varying from $5\,ml$ to $175\,ml$ ($1$ tsp to $6\,fl\,oz$).

Juicer (Electrical)

An electrical device that is useful when preparing large quantities of juice.

Julep Strainer

A strainer used in conjunction with a mixing glass for straining out ice and fruit.

Lighter

A versatile tool used for creating flambe garnishes, sprinkling cinnamon through a flame, and lighting candles.

Tongs

Tools used to hold fruit garnishes; larger versions are specifically used for handling ice.

Pineapple Corer

Used to hollow out a pineapple so the remaining shell can be used as a drinking vessel.

Cocktail Muddler

A wooden stick used to crush ingredients like cherries and mint leaves for mixed drinks.

Waiter's Friend

A multi-functional tool used for opening wine bottles as well as beer bottles.

Whisk

A tool mainly used for whipping up egg whites to be used in cocktails.

Citrus Zester / Stripper

A specialized tool that cuts $\frac{1}{4}$ inch wide strips of citrus rinds.

Pens

A bartender's necessity, ideally kept in threes: one to use, one to lose, and one to give away.

Bartender Book

A mixed drink recipe book and guide, such as The Bartender's Black Book, used as a reference for looking up recipes.

Bar Towels

Absorbent towels used to clean spills and maintain bar cleanliness.

Can Opener / Punch

A can opener removes one end of a can, while a can punch is used to create a hole in juice cans.

Blender

A heavy-duty machine essential for making frozen and blended mixed drinks.

Ice Bucket & Ice Tong

A container that holds ice and a specific tool used to pick up individual ice cubes for drinks.

Champagne / Wine Stopper

A special stopper with two wings that clamps over the lip of a bottle to keep champagne sparkling.

Juicer / Citrus Reamer

Manual or electric tools designed for the main purpose of extracting juice from citrus fruits.

Knife & Cutting Board

A sharp paring knife and small board used for cutting various fruit garnishes.

Measuring Cup & Measuring Spoon

Tools used for adding ingredients to punches or measuring dry ingredients like sugar and spices.

Bar Mat (Spill Mat)

A non-slip accessory designed to catch liquid overflows and protect countertops and glassware.

Shoes

Essential gear for bartenders; they must be comfortable and slip-resistant for standing during long, busy shifts.