No. 01 / 04Small gift
Starter setBartender kit with stand
A shaker, jigger, strainer and bar spoon in one display stand, and usually cheaper than buying each piece. Read the current listing for what’s included.
Technique · Home bar
The multi-tool of mixology: why a bar spoon is your secret weapon
It looks like a long teaspoon. It stirs, layers, measures and muddles, and it’s the difference between a cloudy Manhattan and a silky one.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy through the links below, this site may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We haven’t lab-tested these products; notes summarize owner reviews and named publications. $ marks are rough price tiers, so check today’s price on Amazon.
I · The short versionQuick picks
| No. | Pick | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spoon plus the rest of the kitBartender kit with stand $$$$ | Check price on Amazon ↗ |
| 2 | Smoke a stirred drinkSmokeTop cocktail smoker kit $$$$ | Check price on Amazon ↗ |
| 3 | Somewhere to keep itARTPOWER bar cabinet $$$$ | Check price on Amazon ↗ |
| 4 | Nights you’d rather not stirBartesian cocktail machine $$$$ | Check price on Amazon ↗ |
II · Seven jobsSeven things a bar spoon does
01 Stirring
Stirred drinks such as the Martini, Manhattan and Negroni should be cold and silky, not cloudy. The long, twisted shaft spins smoothly between your fingers. Stir for 20 to 30 seconds.
02 Swizzling
For crushed-ice drinks, spin the spoon between your palms to chill and mix at the same time.
03 Layering
Pour slowly over the back of the spoon and each ingredient settles on the one below. That’s how you get a clean B-52 or a float of red wine on a whiskey sour.
04 Dissolving sugar
Stubborn sugar in an Old Fashioned? Use the spoon to press and stir until it’s gone.
05 Measuring in a pinch
A bar spoon holds about a teaspoon. That’s handy for syrups and liqueurs when the jigger goes missing.
06 Light muddling
Some spoons have a flat disc on the end for gently pressing mint or citrus peel.
07 Fishing out garnishes
Cherries and olives come out of the jar without sticky fingers.
III · The kitBuy the spoon with the set
No. 02 / 04Mid-range
Show-off upgradeMiddleton Mixology SmokeTop smoker kit
It sits on top of a stirred Old Fashioned and fills the glass with wood smoke.
What owners say · In owner reviews of smoker kits (Kohl’s, Amazon), cheap bundled torches are the most common failure. Chip flavor varies, and resin builds up over time. This kit includes a torch and butane.
No. 03 / 04Big upgrade
Big upgradeARTPOWER bar cabinet with wine racks & drawer
The drawer is where the spoon, jigger and strainer live.
What owners say · Owner summaries praise its looks and report one to two hours of assembly; a minority received damaged tops or misaligned hinge holes and say replacements arrived quickly.
No. 04 / 04Big upgrade
For lazy nightsBartesian Premium cocktail machine
Capsule cocktails at the push of a button.
What owners say · Wirecutter, Good Housekeeping and Best Buy reviewers call it very easy, but drinks run sweet, pours are small, and capsule costs add up.
IV · Asked oftenFAQ
How long should a bar spoon be?
About 30 cm (12 in) reaches the bottom of a mixing glass or a tall highball.
Shake or stir?
Stir drinks that are all spirits, such as a Martini or Manhattan. Shake anything with citrus, cream or egg.
Keep reading: The best whiskey glasses · Bar carts & cabinets · 10 things every home bar needs