Bar spoon

Bar Spoon

A bar spoon is a long-handled spoon used in bartending for mixing and layering of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic mixed drinks. Its length ensures that it can reach to the bottom of the tallest jigger or tumbler to mix ingredients directly in the glass.

History

The bar spoon has been a staple of the bartender's toolkit since the mid-19th century. The first recorded use of the term "bar spoon" in print dates back to the 1862 book "How to Mix Drinks" by Jerry Thomas, often considered the father of American mixology.

Design

Bar spoons come in many different designs, but most are between 10 and 12 inches long and feature a small spoon bowl on one end. The other end often includes a counterweight for balance, which can also be used as a muddler for crushing ingredients. Some bar spoons feature a twisted handle, which allows for better control during stirring.

Usage

The primary use of a bar spoon is to mix drinks. The long handle allows the spoon to reach the bottom of a tall glass or shaker to thoroughly mix ingredients. The spoon end can also be used to layer drinks by carefully pouring ingredients over the back of the spoon to create distinct layers. The muddler end can be used to crush or muddle fruits, herbs, and spices in the bottom of a glass to release their flavors.

See also

• Cocktail shaker
• Mixing glass
• Cocktail strainer
• Swizzle stick