Cocktail Strainers 101: Choosing the Right Strainer for Perfect Drinks

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Why Straining Is the Secret to a Perfect Cocktail

Behind every beautifully clear, well-balanced drink is a great strainer doing invisible work. The perfect cocktail is a combination of the right tools, quality ingredients, and creative ingenuity. A bartender’s knowledge and techniques can truly shine with proper bar equipment. 

If you’re on a mission to craft the perfect cocktail, a high-quality strainer needs to be within reach. Whether removing ice shards, pulp, herbs, or egg white foam, the strainer is essential for achieving the perfect texture, presentation, and taste. 

The strainer is a crucial tool that shouldn’t be overlooked! In this Crew Supply Co. guide, we’re breaking down the different types of cocktail strainers, when to use them, and how to pick the perfect ones for your bar toolkit. Keep reading to discover all you need to know about cocktail strainers and find the right one for your barkeeper’s toolkit! 

Meet the Main Players: Types of Cocktail Strainers

Before we get into the particularities of each cocktail strainer, let’s start with the basics. What are the different types of cocktail strainers on the market? 

We’re going over the main cocktail strainers out there, from the fine mesh strainer to the Julep strainer. Here’s a quick breakdown of the main players when it comes to cocktail strainers!

Photo Credit: @guilhermemenegussi

Hawthorne Strainer: 

The Hawthorne Strainer features a coil spring and fits over standard shakers. These standard and popular cocktail strainers are designed for versatility. They’re great for shaken cocktails, such as Margaritas and Daiquiris.

Photo Credit: @arobj

Julep Strainer: 

These cocktail stainers are bowl-shaped and traditionally used with a mixing glass. They are pretty on the eyes, but also highly useful for stirred cocktails. If you’re regularly building an Old Fashioned or Manhattan, a Julep Strainer should be in your tool set.

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Fine Mesh Strainer: 

The fine mesh strainer is also called a tea strainer. This cocktail strainer is used in conjunction with another strainer to catch finer particles for a double-strain process. The fine mesh strainer is crucial for drinks with muddled ingredients or foamy shakes.

Photo Credit: @kaufmann_mercantile

Runner-Ups: Bonus Cocktail Strainers

Cobbler Shaker: 

This user-friendly shaker makes mixing up drinks quick and easy. There are three main parts to a cobbler shaker: the metal tin, the built-in strainer, and the lid. It’s a great starter cocktail strainer, making it a perfect addition to any home bar kit.  

Custom and Ergonomic Hybrids:

These types of cocktail strainers are ideal for high-volume service. If you’re looking to take your craft cocktails to the next level, a custom-made Hawthorne strainer and ergonomic hybrid cocktail stainers could be worth the investment.  

Photo Credit: @rinckad

Alt Text: A hand is pouring a drink on a festive-looking table through a cobbler shaker

Use Case Breakdown: Which Strainer Works Best for Each Style

Let’s review the case-by-case basis of which cocktail strainers pair best with different styles of drinks. From stirred Martinis and Pisco Sours to spicy Margaritas, the different strainers will help create the textures, consistency, and aesthetics of each drink. Below, we’re breaking down numerous styles of drinks and the ideal cocktail strainer for each one. 

• Shaken Cocktails: Hawthorne strainer + fine mesh strainer combo filters out ice chips, foam, and pulp. Double-straining techniques are best for citrusy or foamy drinks.
  

• Stirred Cocktails: The Julep strainer is great for stirred cocktails. Think: Negroni and Old Fashioned. This curved cocktail strainer allows you to pour cleanly from a mixing glass while keeping ice in place. The Julep strainer offers beautiful and clean filtration.
  

• Clarified or Fat-Washed Drinks: The fine mesh strainers (sometimes doubled up) help remove micro-solids post-centrifuge or agar-clarification. This helps to pour a clean and tasty drink while keeping a smooth texture.
  

• Dry-Shake Techniques: When using egg whites or aquafaba in drinks, a fine mesh strainer keeps foam clean and smooth. Whiskey Sours have never looked or tasted so good!

Photo Credit: @timothedurand01

Summary Chart:

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Materials Matter: What to Know About Strainer Construction

Not all cocktail strainers are created equal. It’s important to consider the quality and type of strainers you choose. Whether you’re looking for a metallic or color aesthetic or want to match the vibe of your cocktail kit or bar, there are several different materials to choose from. Here are four of the most common cocktail strainer materials, along with some bonus tips to ensure you’ve found the best cocktail strainer for you! 

Stainless Steel: 

This is the most common material when it comes to cocktail stainers. Stainless steels are preferred as they resist rust, are easy to sanitize, and are long-lasting. There are other options out there, but this is widely available and trusted material for everything from fine mesh strainers and Hawthorne strainers to Julep strainers and beyond.  

Copper-Plated & Gold-Finish: 

These options are visually striking and ideal for service presentation. If you have a certain aesthetic you’re going for, consider a copper-plated Julep strainer or a gold-finished Hawthorne strainer. These materials might be slightly more high-maintenance in that they could require hand-washing.

Plastic Strainers: 

Plastic cocktail stainers could be a great and affordable way to try out different types of stainers when doing a little research and development. Another reason to consider plastic is that they are lightweight and cost-effective. However, they are less durable for professional use and may be more equipment for low-volume cocktail creation or home bar kits.

Wire Coil Quality (for Hawthorne): 

When it comes to Hawhtrone strainers, the denser the coils means the better the seals and filtration. Pay close attention to the details of Hawthorne strainers, it’s worth investing in better quality up front!

Maintenance Tips:

After you’ve found the best Julep stainer of Hawhthrone strainer for your cocktail-making needs, here are a few maintenance tips. Keep your cocktail stainers performing at the highest level for the long haul! 

• Avoid dishwashers for plated finishes.
  

• Rinse immediately after use to avoid citrus corrosion.

• Store coiled strainers loosely to preserve spring tension.

Photo Credit: @ztanizlaff

What to Look For When Buying a Quality Cocktail Strainer

We’ve covered the different styles of cocktail strainers on the market, from Hawthorne strainers and fine mesh strainers to Julep strainers. We’ve gone over which strainers pair best with various styles of drinks, as well as the different materials and maintenance tips. There are just a few last points to consider before investing in your quality cocktail stainer! 

• Fit: Does it sit snugly on your shaker or mixing glass? This will impact the agility in your hand, in addition to the speed and efficiency of crafting drinks. The universal fit is a plus.

• Weight: A good strainer feels balanced in the hand. You’re looking for a cocktail strainer that is not too light and not too heavy. Keep the service flowing smoothly and quietly with the correct bar equipment!
  

• Grip/Handle: Look for textured or ergonomic handles for fast-paced service. Avoid clumsy handling or inefficient workflow with a cocktail strainer that feels comfortable in your hand. The feel should matter just as much (if not more) than the look.
  

• Spring Coil (Hawthorne Stainers): When it comes to Hawthorne strainers, replaceable coils are a bonus. The tighter the coil, the better the strain. These widely-used cocktail strainers can last a long time and get a lot of usage, so find ones that allow for high performance and replacement parts!
  

• Brand & Reviews: Before pressing the purchase button, be sure to look at the product reviews. Opt for a cocktail strainer and a brand that boasts strong ratings. Real-use reviews from other bartenders or home mixologists will provide accurate and trustworthy feedback.

Try These: Recipes That Use Each Strainer Type

Let’s get to the good part! The time has come to put the tools, especially the cocktail strainers, to the test! Start shaking, stirring, and straining! To help you on this important mission, we’ve paired up three classic cocktails with the preferred cocktail strainer. 

Pick one, try it out, and let us know the results. Is it both delicious and impressive?! We sure hope so. Happy sipping!

• Hawthorne Stainer & A Whiskey Sour
   – Use a Boston shaker and a Hawthorne strainer to get that frothy head and remove pulp. Refreshing!
  

• Julep Strainer & A Manhattan
  – Stir with ice in a mixing glass, pour through a Julep strainer into a chilled coupe. Perfection!
  

• Fine Mesh Strainer & A Clover Club
  – Dry-shake gin, egg white, lemon juice, and raspberry syrup, then double-strain into a Nick & Nora glass for silky texture. Delicious!

• Bonus Cocktail:
  – Try a clarified Milk Punch and see how a fine mesh strainer brings clarity and polish. We’ll have another one, please!

Photo Credit: @kikesalazarn

Strain with Precision, Serve with Confidence

Whether you're building out a home bar or upgrading your cocktail program, investing in the right cocktail strainers is a small step with a big impact. Some drinks require double straining for a smooth and clear finished product. Impress your guests with your bartending techniques and top-quality bar equipment.

When searching for the best strainers, be sure to learn about the use cases and decide on your favorite materials beforehand. A little research will go a long way! Ask around and find out what your favorite industry professionals are using. A little research and development at your favorite local haunts could be delicious and educational! Check out what techniques and equipment your favorite bartenders are using! Get inspired and discover the clarity and quality these tools bring to your drinks. 

Ready to level up your cocktail game? Shop our bartender-approved strainers featuring bar-grade Hawthorne strainers and fine mesh strainers! Happy shaking, stirring, and cocktail making!