The kit drawer
Equipment
The tools and glassware behind the recipes, what each one does, and which drinks use it. Amazon links search Amazon.co.uk so you can compare options; we don't list prices or ratings.
Bar tools
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Cocktail shaker
A sealed metal shaker for chilling, diluting and aerating drinks with ice. The three-piece 'cobbler' style has a built-in strainer and cap.
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Boston shaker
Two tins (or a tin and a glass) that fit together to make a large-capacity shaker that is quick to open and rinse.
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Jigger
A double-ended measure for pouring spirits and mixers accurately. Measuring every ingredient is what makes a drink taste the same each time.
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Hawthorne strainer
A flat strainer with a coiled spring that sits over a shaker tin to hold back ice as you pour.
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Julep strainer
A perforated, spoon-shaped strainer used over a mixing glass for stirred drinks.
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Fine strainer
A small conical mesh sieve used with a Hawthorne strainer to 'double strain' out ice chips, herbs and pulp.
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Bar spoon
A long, thin, twisted spoon for stirring drinks smoothly and for measuring 'barspoon' quantities.
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Mixing glass
A heavy, wide glass for stirring spirit-led drinks such as the Martini and Manhattan with ice.
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Muddler
A sturdy stick for pressing fruit, herbs and sugar in the glass or shaker to release juice and oils.
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Citrus press
A hinged hand press for squeezing fresh lemon and lime juice quickly, straight into the jigger.
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Y-peeler
A wide vegetable peeler for cutting neat strips of citrus peel for twists and expressing oils.
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Large ice cube moulds
Silicone moulds for big cubes or spheres that melt slowly in drinks served on the rocks.
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Lewis bag and mallet
A canvas bag and wooden mallet for crushing ice. The canvas absorbs meltwater, giving drier crushed ice.
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Bottle opener
For crown-capped beer and soft-drink bottles.
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Cocktail picks
Reusable metal or bamboo picks for olives, cherries and fruit garnishes.
Glassware
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Coupe glass
A stemmed glass with a shallow, rounded bowl for drinks served 'up' (without ice), such as the Daiquiri.
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Martini glass
The V-shaped stemmed cocktail glass, used for the Dry Martini and Cosmopolitan.
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Nick and Nora glass
A small, tulip-shaped stemmed glass for stirred drinks served without ice.
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Rocks (old fashioned) glass
A short, heavy tumbler for drinks served over ice, such as the Old Fashioned and Negroni.
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Highball glass
A tall, straight glass for long drinks with lots of ice and a mixer, such as the G&T and Mojito.
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Champagne flute
A tall, narrow stemmed glass for sparkling wine and sparkling cocktails.
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Wine glass
A stemmed glass with a generous bowl, used for wine-based drinks such as the Spritz and Kir.
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Copper mug
The traditional mug for a Moscow Mule.
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Hurricane glass
A tall, curvy glass for tropical and blended drinks such as the Piña Colada and Singapore Sling.
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Julep cup
A metal cup that frosts on the outside when filled with crushed ice. The traditional vessel for a Mint Julep.
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Irish coffee glass
A heat-resistant stemmed glass with a handle, so you can see the layer of cream.
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Nonic pint glass
The classic British pub pint glass, with a bulge near the top for grip and stacking.
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Tulip beer glass
A stemmed glass with a rounded bowl that narrows at the top, often used for aromatic and stronger beers.
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Weizen (wheat beer) glass
A tall glass that narrows at the bottom and widens at the top, giving room for a wheat beer's big head.
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Heatproof glass mugs
Toughened glass mugs for hot toddies, mulled drinks and herbal infusions.
Tea & matcha
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Teapot
A pot for brewing loose tea or tea bags with room for the leaves to move. Ceramic keeps heat well.
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Tea infuser
A mesh basket or ball that holds loose tea in a cup or pot so the leaves are easy to remove.
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Tea strainer / fine sieve
A fine-mesh strainer for pouring loose-leaf tea, sifting matcha and straining syrups.
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Temperature-control kettle
A kettle that heats to a set temperature, useful for green tea and matcha (about 80°C) and coffee (about 93°C).
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Matcha whisk (chasen)
A bamboo whisk with many fine tines for whisking matcha into a smooth froth.
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Matcha bowl (chawan)
A wide tea bowl with room to whisk matcha properly.
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Matcha scoop (chashaku)
A bamboo scoop for measuring matcha. Ippodo gives about 1.5 heaped scoops for 2 g.
Coffee
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Burr coffee grinder
Grinds beans between two burrs for an even grind size, which helps coffee extract evenly.
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Digital kitchen scales
Scales accurate to the gram for weighing coffee, water, matcha and syrup sugar.
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Cafetière (French press)
A jug with a mesh plunger for steeping coarse coffee in hot water.
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Pour-over dripper and filters
A cone that holds a paper filter over your cup for manual drip (pour-over) coffee.
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Gooseneck kettle
A kettle with a long, thin spout that gives a slow, controlled pour for pour-over coffee.
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AeroPress coffee maker
A hand-pressed coffee maker that steeps coffee for about a minute and presses it through a paper filter.
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Moka pot
A stovetop coffee maker that uses steam pressure to push water up through finely ground coffee.
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Espresso machine
A machine that forces hot water through finely ground coffee at high pressure. Many include a steam wand for milk.
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Milk frother
A handheld whisk or electric jug that froths milk for lattes, cappuccinos and matcha lattes.
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Milk jug (steaming pitcher)
A stainless steel jug with a spout for steaming milk and pouring latte art.
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Cold brew coffee maker
A jug with a fine filter insert for steeping coffee in cold water overnight.
Kitchen & blending
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Blender
For milkshakes, smoothies and blended cocktails such as the Piña Colada.
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Milkshake (drinks) mixer
A spindle mixer that whips milkshakes in their cup, café-style.
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Ice cream scoop
For portioning ice cream into milkshakes. Scoops vary in size, so our recipes give an approximate number of scoops.
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Milk pan / saucepan
A small, heavy pan for warming milk, hot chocolate, mulled drinks and syrups.
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Small whisk
A small balloon whisk for smooth, frothy hot chocolate.
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Kitchen thermometer
A probe thermometer for checking water and milk temperature.
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Measuring spoons
A set of spoons for accurate teaspoons and tablespoons.
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Mugs
Everyday mugs for tea, coffee and hot chocolate.
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