Jiggers are among the most basic bartender accessories for preparing cocktails. But what are they? And apart from jiggers, what other tools should every bartender use?
Jiggers are among the most basic bartender accessories for preparing cocktails. But what are they? And apart from jiggers, what other tools should every bartender use?
Jiggers – essential bar tools
Are you wondering how to open a bar? Apart from finding the right premises and a good team of bartenders, the right choice of bar tools and accessories is crucial.
Jiggers are among the most basic bar tools. What are they and what are they used for? A jigger is an hourglass-shaped bartender measuring tool. It is used for precise measurement of a chosen amount of a given drink – alcohol, syrup or juice.
Jiggers come in different sizes, and it is best to have a few sizes to choose from depending on your needs. Double-sided jiggers are more practical, letting you use the same tool for two different measurements, for example 50 and 25 ml.
Jiggers have many advantages. First of all, they let you use exactly the amount of ingredients you intended, which is important not only when it comes to taste.
By controlling the exact amounts of each ingredient you can have full control over your food cost, which is of utmost importance in the case of expensive ingredients. Preparing cocktails according to the recipe using a jigger makes it easier to calculate the exact costs of each ingredient.
Another important issue is that of health and safety. Jiggers are usually made of stainless steel, and their convenient shape makes them easy to grip. Compared to a standard glass, there is a much smaller risk of the bartender dropping the jigger.
Due to the fact that jiggers are made of metal, they will not break, even if dropped. So even if the bartender does drop the jigger during use, they will not cut themselves on broken glass. Stainless steel is also relatively simple to clean and will last for a long time.
Another aspect worth bearing in mind is the image of such tools. A bartender using a jigger will look more professional using standard glasses instead.
Cocktail sets – which tools will you need?
Jiggers are just a part of professional cocktail sets. What else will you need?
A shaker will be necessary to prepare and mix the ingredients. The basic model is a three-piece shaker called a cobbler, consisting of a metal cup, a top with an integrated strainer, and a metal cap to seal the opening.
Another type is the two-piece French shaker with a tall container and a lid. Both of these types can be used by beginners, although they will also come in handy for professional bartenders.
A Boston shaker, on the other hand, will require more experience, as it does not have a lid that you can close before shaking. Instead, you will need to place a bartender glass on the metal shaker.
A strainer will also come in handy with a two-piece shaker. Depending on the type, it can come with or without a coil around the edge. A bartending strainer will let you drain the ice, fruit remains and other ingredients used to prepare the drink, but which should not be in the glass.
Another tool that should be used by every professional bartender is a muddler. It is used to mash—or muddle—fruits, herbs and spices in the bottom of a glass to release their flavour.
Bartender spoons are used for drinks that are mixed, not shaken, as well as to prepare layered cocktails.
Additional bar equipment
Storage equipment is another aspect worth investing in. A bartender container for cocktail ingredients will help you keep everything in order and speed up the process of preparing cocktails, while a stainless steel bucket will let you cool bottles, which is especially important if you intend to serve sparkling wine.
An ice maker will also make a bartender’s job easier. Bottle pourers, on the other hand, will let you precisely pour the right amount of each ingredient.
Cocktail sets – summary
Jiggers and other bar tools are essential equipment if you intend to serve cocktails. Choose tools that are durable, convenient to use, and easy to clean. The right equipment will make your work easier and more efficient, and you will also be able to prepare better quality drinks.
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