BAR SPOONS

A bar spoon may seem like an excessive utensil to use when stirring and mixing, but using a regular tablespoon or a teaspoon can pose problems for the bartender. A regular spoon can cause big splashes and spills that will seem unsightly, and the teaspoon is too short for highball or mixing glasses.

Types of Bar Spoons

American Bar Spoons. This is one of the most simple and basic designs of a bar spoon. It's a long thin spoon with a swivel handle and a red plastic cap on the end. It functions only for stirring and measuring. The spoon measures about a standard teaspoon.

European Bar Spoons. It's easy to distinguish bar spoons from European and American. European bar spoons have a teaspoon with a swivel handle and a flat round metal piece at the end. You can use the flat part to crush ice or muddle ingredients.

Japanese Bar Spoons. Japanese bar counters are lower than average, and it's considered rude to slouch or bow in front of customers. That's why they made the bar spoons longer to avoid such a situation. The end is equipped with a weighted metal teardrop to keep the tool balanced.

Muddler Bar Spoons. A muddler bar spoon is a type of bar spoon used mixing and muddling ingredients. It typically features a long, thin handle with a small, flat muddling head at one end and a spoon at the other. 

Bar Stirring Spoon. The bar stirring spoon is commonly used for cocktails that are meant to be stirred rather than shaken, such as a classic martini or Manhattan.

Spiral Bar Spoon. It is similar to a traditional bar spoon but features a spiral or corkscrew design on the handle. This spiral design provides a better grip and allows for more precise stirring and mixing. This spoon is commonly used for cocktails that require a longer stirring time or that have ingredients that are more difficult to mix, such as a Negroni or a Sazerac. 

Long Bar Spoon. It features a long handle that is usually between 10 and 12 inches in length, making it ideal for stirring cocktails in tall glasses or mixing pitchers. 

Copper Bar Spoon. The main advantage of using a copper bar spoon is that it can help to enhance the flavor and aroma of certain cocktails. This is because copper is a highly reactive metal that can react with certain ingredients in a cocktail, releasing their flavors and aromas into the drink. Copper bar spoons are also highly durable and resistant to rust and corrosion, making them an excellent choice for use in busy bar environments.

Hoffman Bar Spoon. It is a type of bar spoon that is specifically designed for use in layering cocktails. It features a long, twisted shaft that allows for precise pouring and layering of different ingredients, such as liqueurs or syrups, on top of each other in a glass.

Teardrop Bar Spoon. It gets its name from the teardrop-shaped end of the handle, which is designed to provide a comfortable and secure grip while stirring drinks. The long and slender stem of the teardrop bar spoon makes it perfect for reaching deep into tall cocktail glasses, mixing ingredients, and layering drinks.

Stainless Steel Bar Spoon. A stainless steel bar spoon is a versatile tool used in bartending to mix cocktails. It is durable, easy to clean, and typically has a twisted handle that helps with stirring. The spoon is long enough to reach the bottom of tall glasses and pitchers, making it perfect for creating layered drinks or mixing in ingredients like syrups and bitters. 

Things to Consider When Buying a Bar Spoon

Length. Most bar spoons are measured at least 12" long. This length ensures that it can effortlessly reach the bottom of the glass and mix all the ingredients in an even consistency. Some are longer in size for cultural reasons. Depending on what kind of bar you have, 12" is generally the standard length.

Handle. Nowadays, bar spoon handles are usually designed with a swivel handle. This ensures a good grip on your bar stirrer and helps with twisting it around. But some still have that smooth design, and others have a combination of both. The smooth handles are easier to clean than the swivel since it's one long solid piece.

Bowl. The typical spoon size measures about one teaspoon, but bowl size can vary among stirrers. Large bowl sizes are great for handling garnishes, measuring syrups, and stirring the ice around, but difficult to maneuver in cocktail shakers. Small bowls are great for deep and narrow glasses since they won't cause any big splashes.

Built-in Tools. The red rubber cap is the original design for most stirrers, but people have been creative. Built-in tools such as forks, muddlers, and teardrops can be used for garnishes, muddling, and precise stirring for better and more efficient service.