Muddlers and Citrus Press
Bar muddlers and citrus press are essential tools to achieve a well-balanced and flavourful cocktail by extracting juices, flavours and aromas from various ingredients.
What is a muddler?
Muddlers or muddling sticks extract fresh juices and oils from citrus and berries or bring out delicate flavours of herbs by crushing or mashing the ingredients. Muddlers can be used on many ingredients with different desired results, so applying the right pressure is important.
Types of muddlers
Bar muddlers are usually made of wood, plastic and metal. Wooden muddlers are popular as they are gentler on ingredients, however, they absorb odours, strains and residue and may be prone to cracking due to constant moisture. Plastic muddlers are lightweight and good for beginners or home use. Stainless steel muddlers are more sturdy and effective for crushing due to their weight and material.
The best cocktail muddlers
Muddlers feature a long handle with a flat or textured head for crushing ingredients. Some innovative muddlers also feature modularity, where the head that's prone to wear and tear can be just replaced instead of the whole thing. A good muddler should be designed to help reduce the fruity mess and physical stress by aiming for a comfortable design, hand grip and weight without sacrificing durability. The Überbartools BarStik™ is lightweight with a textured grip to reduce hand slip, while the ProStik™ is heavier and best for repetitive muddling. The ProCrush™ features a comfortable handle that doubles as an ice crusher, and a modular head that can be replaced due to wear and tear.
How to muddle?
Best to use a sturdy mixing glass or shaker tin when using a muddling stick. When muddling, hold the mixing glass with one hand then press the muddling stick straight down and apply a gentle twisting action to extract the juice, oil and aroma. Gently muddle citrus wedges, stone fruit, berries or ingredients. Apply lighter pressure to any delicate herbs in the mixing glass. A few presses, around 5-6, are usually enough as over-muddling can lead to bitter flavours. Continuous practice will help you master this technique so you can effectively make use of fresh ingredients in your cocktails.
What is a citrus press?
Citrus press, also called a squeezer or juicer, is designed to extract the juice from citrus fruits such as lemon, lime and orange, adding fresh flavour to your drinks. There are different styles and designs such as manual pressers, with a lever or electric. When choosing the kind of citrus press to use, consider the number of drinks you serve, the size of your bar, and your budget.
Invest in high-quality tools and master the techniques of muddling and squeezing to elevate your craft and create elevated drinks!
