What Type Of Strainer To Use With A Mixing Glass
You’ve just made a drink in your mixing glass, but which strainer do you use? You have a few different options.
Strainers to Choose from:
THE JULEP STRAINER (AKA: THE JULEP SPOON)
The Julep strainer is a small perforated spoon that is used to strain ice from a shaker or mixing glass. Julep strainers are a favorite among us bartenders!
The origins of the Julep strainer can be traced all the way back to the 18th century, when the Mint Julep cocktail first became popular in the southern United States, particularly in Kentucky. The traditional Mint Julep was made by muddling fresh mint leaves with sugar and water, then adding bourbon or rye whiskey and serving the mixture over crushed ice in a silver Julep cup.
The Julep strainer was designed to be used with this specific cocktail, as it allows the crushed ice to be strained out of the shaker or mixing glass and into the Julep cup, while keeping the mint leaves and other solid ingredients in the shaker. This allowed the drink to be served in the traditional silver Julep cup without the ice and mint leaves getting mixed in. Today, the Julep strainer is typically used in bars and restaurants for cocktails made with crushed ice.
At Bull In China we prefer a heavier, weighted model to create the perfect seal when straining your cocktail.
To use a Julep strainer for bartending, follow these steps:
- Begin by preparing your cocktail of choice in a mixing glass.
- Hold the Julep strainer in one hand and the mixing glass in the other. Add the strainer to the mixing glass creating a wedge between the handle and the end of the julep strainer.
- Carefully pour the contents of the mixing glass into a glass, through the strainer. The strainer will catch any ice or other solid ingredients that were used to mix the cocktail.
- When finished pouring, remove the strainer and discard any ice or other solid ingredients that were caught in the strainer.
- Finally, serve the cocktail as desired.
You can find our Heavy Julep Strainer on our website.
THE HAWTHORNE STRAINER
Traditionally used for straining pulp and ice out of shaken cocktails, the Hawthorne strainer is a versatile tool. It typically has a spring-loaded metal ring that sits snugly against the rim of the mixing glass, and a handle that allows the bartender to hold the strainer in place while pouring. Take note to assure that the strainer fits well to the mixing glass or shaking tin you’re using. If the Hawthorne strainer doesn’t have a proper fit, ice may fall through.
The history of the Hawthorne strainer is believed to have originated in the late 19th or early 20th century. The strainer was named after the Hawthorne Hotel in Boston, where it was said to have been first used by a bartender named "Harry Johnson" in the late 1800s.
The Hawthorne strainer was designed to be used with the metal two-piece shaker tins. The strainer was meant to be used with the shaker tin to strain the ice, fruit peels, and other solids from the drink before it was poured into the glass.
To use a Hawthorne strainer for bartending, follow these steps:
- First, shake or stir your cocktail ingredients in a shaker.
- Place the strainer on top of the shaker or mixing glass, making sure that the spring-loaded metal ring sits snugly against the rim.
- Hold the strainer in place with your hand and pour the cocktail through it, through a fine mesh strainer, and into a glass The strainers will catch any ice or other solid ingredients that were used to mix the cocktail.
- Serve the cocktail as desired.
It's important to note that Hawthorne strainer is mainly used for shaken drinks as it is designed to work best with the ice in shaken cocktails.
You can find our Premium Hawthorne Strainer on our website.
THE HAWTHORNE STRAINER (ANTIQUE-STYLE)
Looking for the best of both worlds? Recently, there has been a huge resurgence among professional bartenders for this vintage-inspired style of strainer. This tool is perfect for those looking for a versatile strainer. The indentation in the leg is a great way to lock your strainer in place so it doesn’t slip away from you mid pour.
It's important to note that the antique style Hawthorne strainer may not have a spring-loaded ring, and it may be used differently based on the design.
Check out our Hawthorne Strainer (Antique-Style) on our website.
Julep Spoon or Hawthorne Strainer with a Mixing Glass: The Great Debate
Whether you use a Julep spoon, Hawthorne strainer, or antique style Hawthorne strainer, you’ll surely make a fantastic cocktail.
You can find all of our strainer options here.
