12 Best Cocktail Strainers For Your Home Bar In 2023: Reviews & Buying Guide
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Among the basic bar tools, one that any bartender should never go without is a cocktail strainer. The struggle of filtering out ice cubes, fruits, pulps, and other ingredients from the final cocktail is a hefty job. But with the help of cocktail strainers, bartenders, mixologists, or even amateurs won’t have to deal with this anymore.
Good bar tools are hard to come by, and finding the right ones for your specific needs is a must. With this, we have come up with the best cocktail strainers out there for you to choose from.
Our Top Picks
 
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Best Overall: OXO Steel Cocktail Strainer• Robust stainless steel |
Best Set - The Barsentials Cocktail Strainer Set• No need to purchase separate strainers |
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Best for Professional Bartenders - A Bar Above Hawthorne Cocktail Strainer• Finger rest on the back rim |
1. OXO SteeL Cocktail Strainer - Best Overall
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What Customers Have To Say
A recurring customer loves how OXO fits his requirements in a strainer and said it lasted for years. He especially loves the finger rest since he can pour his drinks on his hand without adding extra tension to his fingers.
Why We Think It’s Great
You don't have to suffer through impurities in your drink with the OXO SteeL Cocktail Strainer! This strainer is stainless steel with a non-slip and comfortable finger rest for easy straining. The shorter handle makes it easy to grip and convenient to store, while the raised lip ensures that no liquid will be wasted when straining.
This top-quality strainer is made of durable stainless steel paired with a well-constructed design to make sure that it doesn't fail you and will give you years of service. It's dishwasher safe, too, adding to its convenience. Its well-thought-out features easily make it one of the best Hawthorne strainers out there.
Who Should Buy It
You will definitely find this brand reliable and worth it if you’re a professional bartender who wants a solid cocktail strainer. It'll give you an easy experience in the bar and let you enjoy perfectly strained cocktails every time!
2. Koviti Cocktail Strainer Set
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What Customers Have To Say
Many customers favored the fine-mesh and Julep strainers since they make a great addition to their existing bar tools. The products feel good on the hands, and they are very stylish.
Why We Think It’s Great
Koviti Cocktail Strainer Set is among the best sets for aspiring mixologists. It includes three types of strainers: a conical mesh strainer, a Julep strainer, and a Hawthorne strainer, together with a recipes booklet to help you get started. This set's top-notch quality and price make it an amazing value.
These cocktail strainers are made from food-grade 304 stainless steel, so you're confident that they won't break, warp, leak, or rust. If you prefer to hand wash your tools, don't worry, they're very easy to clean by hand. But if you want just to stick them in the dishwasher, you definitely can, too!
Who Should Buy It
These are very good options for trying out tools before committing to more expensive ones. This set may be cheap, but it offers a decent quality if you want to give them as a gift.
3. Homestia Hawthorne Cocktail Strainer
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What Customers Have To Say
Purchasers report that the Homestia Bar Strainer is built to last with its quality materials and tight springs. Most importantly, they love how the color is chic and adds a touch of style and elegance to a bar.
Why We Think It’s Great
This strainer features star-shaped holes that easily catch errant herbs or spices, ensuring that only the smoothest, perfectly mixed drink makes it into your drinking glasses. The copper finish provides a touch of luxury and refinement, while the two prongs ensure the filter stays securely on your shaker.
Moreover, it has an easy-to-hold handle, so you can seamlessly navigate your drink with ease. Its tight coils can quickly grasp your ingredients to keep your drink free from pulps. Finally, this top-of-the-line strainer is made from heavy-duty stainless steel for reliable durability.
Who Should Buy It
This Hawthorne strainer is perfect for those who want a pop of color on their bar counter without sacrificing quality and functionality. Its affordable price is a bonus!
4. Winco Stainless Steel Cocktail Strainer
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What Customers Have To Say
A customer was deeply pleased with this strainer because it is perfectly sized and not flimsy. The prongs also make it easy to hold while keeping the upper side of the strainer flat for easy storage.
Why We Think It’s Great
The Winco Stainless Steel Cocktail Strainer is made from sturdy stainless steel and features a removable spring for easy replacement. It also has a substantial weight, making it a great way to filter out unwanted debris from your drinks.
Its four prongs contribute to its good design because more prongs mean more support and easier pouring. It is also strong enough to be cleaned in a dishwasher. With its low price and great performance, the Winco Stainless Steel Cocktail Strainer is a must-have for any bartender.
Who Should Buy It
For someone looking for something low on the budget line, this is the perfect strainer for you. It's good value for the price and functionality.
5. A Bar Above Hawthorne Cocktail Strainer - Best for Professional Bartenders
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What Customers Have To Say
Most customers appreciated how tight the springs of this strainer are because it can successfully strain the tiniest bits of ingredients, especially ice shards and citrus pulps. The weight and feel are also perfect, making it strain flawlessly and easily.
Why We Think It’s Great
If you want to improve your bartending skills, you need the A Bar Above Hawthorne Cocktail Strainer. This sleek and ergonomic strainer is made from polished food-grade stainless steel, so it's built to last. Furthermore, the very useful tightly-coiled spring ensures that your drinks are perfectly strained every time.
This top-of-the-line strainer is not too light and too heavy to ensure comfortability when pouring. It also features a patented cut-away design that makes it easy to hold, and its finger grip is close to the spring so that you won't experience cramping or fatigue.
Who Should Buy It
This cocktail strainer will solve your pain if you tend to have sore hands from bartending. This bar tool is designed without rough edges that dig into the side of your thumb.
6. HIC Kitchen Julep Cocktail Strainer
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What Customers Have To Say
Customers liked how this strainer looks pretty decent and also strains pretty well and fast. Some also said that it keeps bar counters clean because it's less messy to use than a Hawthorne strainer.
Why We Think It’s Great
If you're in the business of crafting tasty cocktails, then you know that a good strainer is absolutely essential. Thanks to its high-quality construction and rust-resistant stainless steel material, the HIC Kitchen Julep Cocktail Strainer is the ideal tool for the job. This high-quality strainer is efficient and a pleaser!
Additionally, it is easy to use and dishwasher-safe, so you can spend more time enjoying your party and less time cleaning up. Its smart construction prevents it from interacting with ingredients, such as absorbing odors or transferring flavors between each batch.
Who Should Buy It
For someone who is not confident in his pouring skills or hates the mess on his counter, this Julep strainer is a good choice. Rest assured, straining will be easy with this product.
7. A Bar Above Professional Julep Cocktail Strainer
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What Customers Have To Say
Customers were satisfied with this Julep strainer because it's efficient, easy on the hands, and well-balanced. It also doesn't rust easily and effectively strains out lemon seeds.
Why We Think It’s Great
Efficiency, durability, and ergonomics are the goals behind this product. This strainer is made entirely from heavy-duty stainless steel, meaning it can fight against rust and corrosion and is also built to withstand heavy use. It features durable welding that makes it a truly robust and long-lasting tool.
This Julep strainer is crafted with a simple yet elegant design to make it easy to use for bartenders while still looking great in a bar. Its dimensions make it versatile as it can be used in any standard or larger mixing glasses or cocktail shaker.
Furthermore, it is designed with a round-shaped handle to prevent scrapes on your hand. It's no wonder why it's among the best Julep strainers in the market.
Who Should Buy It
This is suited for professional and amateur bartenders who like a lightweight yet functional Julep strainer. The ergonomic design makes pouring and filtering out of drinks easy and comfortable.
8. Barfly Scalloped Julep Cocktail Strainer
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What Customers Have To Say
Customers report that from the first look, the quality of this cocktail strainer can immediately be recognized because it is thicker than other strainers on the market. They also often compliment the strainer's gorgeous color and overall design.
Why We Think It’s Great
The Barfly Scalloped Julep Cocktail Strainer is a unique tool for any cocktail lover. This strainer is crafted from robust stainless steel to ensure any risks of pitting and corrosion are avoided. Its antique copper-plated finish also gives it a rustic vintage look, making it even more appealing.
A lot of thinking was put into the hole pattern for a speedy pouring. It comes with an integrated finger, as well, stop to assist and make things better for you. The scallop design is both stylish and functional, making it easy to strain even the most demanding cocktail enthusiasts.
Who Should Buy It
We recommend this for those who have a thing for antiques and vintage looks. Even when you're not using it, it is still a good decor for your professional or home bar.
9. RSVP Endurance Stainless Steel Conical Cocktail Strainer
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What Customers Have To Say
A purchaser was thrilled to use this strainer because it looked classy and made a great addition to his bar. He also praised the mesh as it was so fine and worked effortlessly when double straining.
Why We Think It’s Great
The RSVP Endurance Stainless Steel Conical Cocktail Strainer is perfect for the home bartender who wants a quality strainer without spending a fortune. The sturdy construction and compact size make it easy to store, and it is dishwasher-safe for a trouble-free cleanup process.
Furthermore, it is crafted from high-quality stainless steel with a polished rim and handle and its extra-fine mesh that's perfect for sifting out those pesky bits of fruit or herbs. The cone-shaped design means that your drinks will always pour out smoothly with no spilling.
Who Should Buy It
This is a good choice for those who want a dedicated strainer for their cocktails. Since its primary purpose is for small amounts of liquid, its use is limited when it comes to bulk straining.
10. OXO 3112000 SteeL Fine Mesh Cocktail Strainer
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What Customers Have To Say
A lot of customers use this strainer for various purposes aside from cocktails, and it does its job very well! They love the black-accented handle and the little hole that makes it easy to store.
Why We Think It’s Great
The OXO 3112000 SteeL Fine Mesh Cocktail Strainer is a great tool for home and commercial bars. It's made of solid, sturdy stainless steel and has a fine mesh to ensure that nothing but smooth liquid goes into your glass. Additionally, it measures 3-inches in diameter so that it can fit over most glasses.
It also boasts double-welded construction for lasting strength and a comfortable soft-grip and non-slip base to keep it in place while you work. Its conical shape allows for quick and easy straining of your favorite cocktails, as well.
Who Should Buy It
This is a perfect choice for those who want value in their bar tools, backed with OXO quality and durability. This could be your next bar tool, best friend!
11. The Barsentials Cocktail Strainer Set - Best Set
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What Customers Have To Say
Customers were satisfied with this set because of the superior construction and the free bar spoon. Using these bar tools tends to make the users look like professional bartenders.
Why We Think It’s Great
The Barsentials Cocktail Strainer Set is perfect for the home bartender. It includes three of the most commonly used strainers: the Julep strainer, Hawthorne strainer, fine mesh strainer, and a free bar spoon. The set is planned with versatility in mind, so you can make any drink you like.
The items in this professional-grade strainer set are crafted from durable 304 stainless steel, meaning they won't corrode or rust over time. Plus, they're dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup. Shake up the best cocktails for your friends and family and impress them with your bartending skills.
Who Should Buy It
Home bar owners who are still honing their bartending skills will benefit from this set. They don’t have to invest too much in a single tool until they are more adept at using them.
12. Barfly M37025CP Fine Mesh Cocktail Strainer
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What Customers Have To Say
This product caught the eye of many customers because of its wonderful aesthetics. More importantly, it finely strains all ice pieces leaving a smooth drink, and is also easy to clean.
Why We Think It’s Great
This strainer from Barfly sports a copper-plated finish that gives your bar a touch of luxury, while the extra fine mesh ensures that not it catches solid particles. The comfortable rod handle makes it easy to use, and the conical-shaped bowl catches even the smallest bits in large quantities.
This premium strainer has a 3.5-inch diameter bowl made from food-grade stainless steel, ensuring robust and reliable performance. Whether you're a novice or an experienced mixologist, this strainer is a must-have for your bar toolkit!
Who Should Buy It
If you are eyeing a cocktail strainer that functions well and looks good, then this is your best choice. You can choose from copper, gold, and stainless color finish.
Best Cocktail Strainers Buying Guide
When it comes to cocktail making, a good strainer is essential. Not only does it help to keep ice from getting into your drink, but it also allows you to create a smooth, evenly balanced cocktail.
But with so many different types and styles of strainers on the market, how do you know which one is right for you? Here's a quick guide to help you find the best cocktail strainer for your needs:
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Type
There are three types of cocktail strainers: Hawthorne, julep, and fine mesh. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, especially for inexperienced users.
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Hawthorne strainer
The Hawthorne strainer is the choice of professional bartenders. This is because it can easily fit almost all Boston shakers since these do not come with a strainer. It is also very durable and easy to maintain.
Some more advanced designs come with a tab that you can use to push the strainer to the edge of the shaker tin, so you won’t need to double strain.
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Julep strainer
The julep strainer is recommended for inexperienced bartenders since it is easier to use. It primarily features small holes that do the trick of filtering out solid particles out of your drink. Its shape is like a disc with incurved edges that may not sit well with all types of glasses and shakers.
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Fine mesh strainer
You probably read “double straining” in your cocktail recipes a lot. To do it, you use either a Hawthorne strainer or a julep strainer and a fine-mesh strainer.
Any fine-mesh strainer will do, but designers came up with conical-shaped fine mesh strainers that lessen spillage. These are usually made of a metal fine-mesh net and a metal handle.
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Material and Finish
Metal is the most common material for strainers, but some have ABS plastic parts for tabs and handles. Since the plastic parts do not contact the cocktail itself, it should not be a problem.
However, newer strainers come in different finishes—copper, rose gold, gold, silver, and matte black. Usually, the silver finish is the easiest to maintain, but the rose gold and copper are lovely additions to your otherwise sad bar setup.
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Convenience
Choose the cocktail strainer that is most convenient to use for you. A Hawthorne strainer with a tab is a good choice for most professional bartenders since it can double strain your cocktails without needing a separate strainer.
However, a fine mesh net with wide holes on the handle is a good choice when straining out fruit pulp for a cleaner cocktail.
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Price
As it is, price is one of the major considerations, so consider the item's value. A more expensive but sturdier brand is better, especially in professional settings. Before buying one for a home bar, read reviews and customer feedback to choose the one that will fit your price range and expectations.
Best Cocktail Strainers FAQ
1. How to use cocktail strainers?
All types of strainers are pretty easy to use. It only comes down to having a good grip, so it works flawlessly with other tools like the mixing glass, pint glass, or cocktail shaker. It also depends on the type of strainer. Click this article to know more.
2. Why is it called a Hawthorne strainer?
Many bar tools have taken their names from their inventors or companies, but the Hawthorne strainer is different. The mounted coil strainer's popular name was inspired by a former Boston bar called The Hawthorne Café.
You might be wondering why the inventor, William Wright, chose to name his invention after a bar. Actually, the owner of the bar, Denny P. Sullivan, was William's assignee of the patent!
3. What does double strain or fine strain mean for cocktails?
Double straining or fine straining is popular among mixologists; that simply means using two strainers to strain a cocktail. You place a Hawthorne or Julep strainer over your mixing glass or cocktail shaker and pour the concoction through a fine-mesh strainer into a cocktail glass.
4. What is the finest strainer?
A fine mesh strainer would be the finest strainer as it catches even the little bits and grits from your cocktail due to its net. There's a reason why mixologists use this strainer to double strain cocktails!
Conclusion
Cocktail strainers, without a doubt, make concocting drinks a lot easier. No more struggles of getting rid of that chunk of ice or fruit pulps. The thing is, you don’t have to spend much just to get the quality and value you need. Just make sure to choose one that you are most comfortable working with.
OXO SteeL Cocktail Strainer not only looks unique compared to most Hawthorne strainers, but its design has a purpose for efficiency. Meanwhile, The Barsentials Cocktail Strainer Set is the solution to access all types of strainers at a reasonable price.
Finally, A Bar Above Hawthorne Cocktail Strainer also has a distinct look and design that contributes to its good heavy feel and smooth surfaces.
Check out other bar tools reviews on jiggers and cocktail shakers to make better decisions before you decide on buying some new bar tools.
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