Optional Bar Tools: Is It Worth the Investment?
Bar culture continues to evolve, and today the market offers a vast array of tools for making cocktails. However, not all of them are essential. Some accessories are more of a pleasant addition than a necessary minimum. Let’s explore which ones are truly useful and which are merely marketing tricks.
1. Molecular Accessories
These include foam siphons, pipettes for creating spheres, and liquid nitrogen. Such tools can turn drinks into works of art, but their use requires special knowledge. If your bar is not focused on molecular mixology, purchasing these accessories may be unnecessary.
2. Copper Mugs and Exclusive Glassware
Yes, a Moscow Mule looks impressive in a copper mug, but any glass or tumbler can be used instead. Expensive or unusual glassware creates an atmosphere but does not affect the taste of the drink.
3. Electric Ice Crusher
Manual hammers and ice bags do an excellent job. Buying an expensive electric device is justified only for venues with high customer traffic.
4. Engraved Jiggers and Bar Spoons
A standard jigger performs the same function as its premium counterparts. The only difference is in design. If there’s no need to emphasize the establishment’s status or a collection of tools, regular options will suffice.
5. Aromatizers and Cocktail Sprays
Enhancing a drink’s aroma is definitely a plus. However, this can be replaced by using citrus zest or herbs. Buying expensive essences and professional sprayers is more of a luxury than a necessity.
6. Intricate Ice Stamps
Logos on ice cubes add a nice touch but do not affect the cocktail’s taste. If you want to stand out, you can simply use uniquely shaped ice molds, which are much cheaper.
7. Bar Strainer (Styler)
This tool is essential for straining cocktails and removing unwanted pieces of ice or herbs. However, at home, a regular kitchen strainer can be used, or you can skip it if the cocktail does not require filtration.
8. Bar Pourer (Geyser)
A pourer helps to measure alcohol portions accurately, which is especially useful in busy bars. At home, a measuring cup or even a regular tablespoon can be used instead.
9. Muddler
This tool is designed for mashing fruits, berries, and herbs. However, it can be replaced with a regular spoon or a pestle. If you frequently make mojitos and other cocktails requiring muddled ingredients, a muddler may be useful.
10. Bar Knife
Special bar knives are convenient for slicing citrus fruits and other garnishes, but a quality kitchen knife can easily replace them. If you already have a sharp and comfortable knife, there’s no need to buy an additional tool.
Conclusion
Optional bar tools are primarily about aesthetics and convenience rather than necessity. If you love experimenting and want to add extra sophistication to your cocktails, some of these tools can be useful. However, in most cases, a bartender’s standard set is more than enough to create high-quality drinks. The choice is yours!
