Crafting the perfect cocktail requires a great amount of skill and practice. It’s an art that demands you to pay attention so that you can get the best outcome. Just like art, there are techniques that can help you refine the taste of your cocktail and straining is one of them. It’s a pretty simple method but an important one that you should know. Keep reading to know how to strain a cocktail so that you can add another feather to your bartending skill hat.
Why Strain Cocktails In The First Place
We need to know the why before we come to the how. From mint leaves to egg whites, cocktails are made with a wide variety of ingredients to offer a unique flavor. We all enjoy the complex flavors layered together but a lot of ingredients are involved behind the final taste. Now imagine one of these ingredients like a mint leaf or a piece of clove getting stuck in your gullet while you’re busy savoring the elements of the cocktail. Not fun, right? Straining comes as a rescue for such situations.
The process exists to separate the ingredients from the cocktail so that the person drinking has an unspoiled experience. When it comes to cocktails poured over ice, the straining process is crucial since it separates the old ice in the shaker and just allows the mixture to be poured into the glass, preventing the cocktail from becoming watered down.
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Types Of Strainers
Julep Strainer
The julep strainer is the first cocktail strainer that came into existence in the early 19th century. History states that bartenders of the day used all kinds of tools such as tea strainers and slotted spoons before a designated cocktail strainer was developed. But an even more astonishing fact about this stainer is that it was used by the drinkers! Yes, The julep strainer was put over the glass to prevent crushed ice from falling and protect the beards of men from developing icicles in the winter.
It was only later in that century that the julep strainer became an official bar tool. As you chew on this little piece of history, let’s talk about this equipment a bit more. When we look at the physical features, a julep strainer is an oversized, oval, spoon pierced with small holes in it. These holes have one job and that is to prevent shards of ice from flowing. It’s mainly used when a cocktail is strained from a mixing glass since it fits better. Let’s now look at how we can put this strainer to use.
How To Strain Using A Julep Strainer
You don’t require a special skill to use a julep strainer but some patience will come in handy. While pouring, pay attention to the liquid and try to not spill it. Don’t worry if you end up spilling the first time because as they say, the first times are bound to be messy! Just like in any other life situation, practice is the key here as well. Simply give the technique a few tries, and you’ll be good to go. Here is how to strain a cocktail using a julep strainer:
- Put the strainer in the mixing glass with the cocktail and ice. Make sure that the bulging part, that is the bottom of the strainer, is cupping the glass. To explain better: think of it as a bowl that’s being placed upside down.
- Now, hold the glass and bring it closer to the strainer’s rim.
- With your index finger, firmly hold the strainer so that it blocks the ice from falling.
- Tilt the mixing glass and gently pour it into the serving glass.
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Hawthorne Strainer
If you go behind any modern bar, the Hawthorne strainer will be included among the other set of bar tools. You can say that the Hawthorne strainer is an upgraded version of the julep strainer since it holds back more bits of ice and other ingredients than the latter.
Looking back in history, this strainer was developed by Nathaniel Hawthorne in his bar in Boston to provide a better straining process. This strainer was modified to look like a flat spatula with attached springs to efficiently trap ice and other ingredients. The head was perforated with holes and had two tabs alongside it so that it could clip well onto the tin. This is the standard design that’s used even now.
Over the years, Hawthorne strainers have come with many variations such as smaller holes, tighter coils, and longer handles. In the end, it all boils down to personal choice, so see which strainer suits you the best and decide accordingly.
How To Strain Using A Hawthorne Strainer
The secret to using a Hathorne strainer is to not rush the process. Use it gently and don’t haphazardly pour the cocktail into the serving glass. Although the technique is easy, you might need to practice a few times before you get it right. Here is a step-by-step process on how to strain a cocktail with a Hawthorne strainer so you can start practicing:
- Hold the strainer on top of the mixing tin or glass with the coil facing downward.
- Grip the strainer firmly with your middle and index finger while you gently lift the tin.
- Slowly pour the liquid from the tin into the serving glass.
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Double-Straining Or Fine-Straining
At times, ingredients can spill even from a Hawthorne strainer, and that’s why many bartenders double-strain their cocktails. The process is especially used for some cocktails that contain solid ingredients. To do this process, you can use a standard tea strainer as it does the job just fine. Double-straining will ensure that your cocktail has a smoother texture and will prevent those thinner pieces of mint leaves from entering your cocktail. Here is how you can double-strain:
- Follow the Hawthorne straining process as stated above.
- Before pouring the drink, ensure that the tea strainer rests on the rim of the serving glass.
- Now, pour your drink gently, and voila!
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Summing Up
As we said, the process of straining a cocktail is quite simple and now you know how to do it. Just be gentle with the pouring otherwise you’ll end up spilling your cocktail. Keep trying and practicing till you get it right because patience is key to the perfect pour!
FAQs
Which Equipment Is Used To Strain A Cocktail?
A julep strainer or a Hawthorne strainer is used to strain a cocktail. They’re pretty easy to use and are of great help when it comes to separating solid ingredients from your drinks.
Why Do You Fine Strain Cocktails?
Fine-straining cocktails prevent smaller fragments of fruit, shards of ice, and any other solid ingredient from entering the serving glass.
Can I Use A Mason Jar Instead Of A Cocktail Shaker?
A mason jar can be used if you don’t have a cocktail shaker. Just make sure that the glass of the jar is heavy-duty and not brittle. There might be a risk of the glass shattering if the jar is not sturdy enough while shaking the ingredients.
Does A Cocktail Shaker Have A Strainer?
Cocktail shakers such as the Boston shaker don’t come with an in-built strainer and often use a Hawthorne strainer to separate ingredients. If you’re looking for a shaker with a strainer, you can go for the cobbler shaker, known as the 3-piece shaker. It comes with a built-in strainer but do remember that it’s not as efficient as a Hawthrone strainer.
How Many Times Should You Shake A Cocktail?
You should shake a cocktail for at least 15 to 20 seconds so that the ingredients mix thoroughly.
What Happens If You Don’t Shake A Cocktail?
Not shaking a cocktail will cause an imbalance of flavors in the cocktail. You’ll find your cocktail tasting boozy on one sip, and on the second sip, it might taste fruity. Shaking the cocktail helps to layer the ingredients perfectly and in turn, you can enjoy a consistent flavor.
