Mixing It Up

Words: Richard Frost

Trying to procure the right barware can be tricky, but suppliers are rising to the challenge with premium products that are both functional and stylish.

In order to make most classic cocktails or signature serves, bartenders need to master an array of techniques from muddling and straining to stirring and shaking, which inevitably means using specific tools and gadgets along the way. A shaker helps produce that all-important frothy head on a Pisco Sour, while a strainer ensures Martinis come out with that irresistibly smooth texture. But this is not to say that all barware is created equal; on the contrary, premium tools offer several benefits over more conventional counterparts. From the perspective of those behind the bar, high-quality items typically allow for greater precision, last longer and are more pleasurable to work with – while for customers, they generally look and sound better when called into action, reassuring patrons that the resulting drink will live up to its price tag and be worth sharing on social media.

Another important consideration is the fact that first-rate cocktail-making equipment is quite simply more efficient, boosting productivity and decreasing the likelihood of a bar’s clientele enduring lengthy waits between drinks; this is by no means a given in many establishments. “How many times have you had to wait 20 minutes to get served in a bar because everything is so complex,” says master mixologist Salvatore Calabrese, while showcasing his latest cocktail menu at Donovan Bar, part of Brown’s Hotel in London. “I want you to have your drink in five minutes.” Calabrese certainly knows the market better than most – a former President of the UK Bartenders Guild, he has written no fewer than 13 drinksrelated tomes, and consulted on a host of venues down the years, including Mixology 101 in LA, Bound by Salvatore at The Cromwell Hotel in Las Vegas and Salvatore at Maison Eight in Hong Kong. The Maestro, as he is known, has also developed a barware range carrying his name in collaboration with Urban Bar.

The Bonzer Barware Roll can carry up to 24 pieces of equipment

Founded in 1980, Urban Bar produces cocktail-making equipment that can be found in Brown’s Hotel, of course, as well as highprofile properties associated with the likes of Marriott International, AccorHotels, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Jumeirah Group and Rosewood Hotel Group. The barware and glassware supplier is also notable for offering a high degree of customisation – bartenders can present a more professional image by getting their names engraved on Boston shakers, for example, while hotels can elevate their beverage offering by adding logos to their spirit measures.

A perfect illustration of how the business is willing to go the extra mile can be found in its 75cl Tattoo Weighted Tin on Tin Cocktail Shaker. Made from premium 18/8 Japanese steel for greater corrosion resistance, each tin has a sturdy weighted base and is durable enough to go straight in the dishwasher, but also boasts eye-catching tattoo patterns etched with food-safe ink. “It is a great example of how the practicality of an essential piece of cocktail-making equipment doesn’t have to be compromised to make it visually appealing,” explains Nick Andrews, Managing Director of Urban Bar. “The characterful engraving adds a premium aesthetic that stands out and instantly creates a talking point for patrons.”

Artis, a business committed to innovation, design, quality and service across the board, is another barware supplier whose products have consistently proved popular among hotels, bars and restaurants. Founded by Jack Artis in 1950, the company’s portfolio has grown enormously over the last seven decades; its cocktailmaking equipment, for instance, makes use of a variety of materials, including stainless steel, copper and nickel, but the brand has now also introduced a gold-plated range that really stands out from the competition.

Urban Bar’s Tattoo 5-Piece Cocktail Set includes a weighted tin-on-tin shaker

The stylish collection encompasses a shaker, a trio of strainers, 25ml and 50ml jiggers, and three bar spoons of varying lengths, each of which has been gold plated over stainless steel. The result is a smart set of tools that can only help to enhance the visual appeal of the backbar, adding significantly to the overall sense of theatre inherent in making high-end cocktails.

Elsewhere, Bonzer is a name that has long been associated with tools that are every bit as practical as they are attractive. Although well-known among F&B professionals in its own right, it is actually a Mitchell & Cooper (M&C) brand; M&C started life as an engraver and silversmith in London in 1879, and today it designs, manufactures and distributes catering equipment used by an impressive portfolio of hospitality clients.

One of Bonzer’s most sought-after products is its Barman’s Roll, which has been developed with input from top bartenders. Available in leather or waxed canvas, this travel-friendly kit bag features a combination of pockets and elasticated tool fastenings capable of carrying up to 24 pieces of equipment, along with a fully adjustable leather strap. It also makes a strong impression visually thanks to the use of sleek contrast stitching throughout and a stylish version of the instantly recognisable Bonzer stamp, produced in gold foil with a subtle distressed finish.

Ultimately, there is no point wasting time and money procuring substandard barware. “It is easy to fill a bar with good-looking equipment that is too costly or simply will not function correctly in a particular environment,” reflects Andrews. “All too often, products are chosen simply for the look, without thinking of longevity or functionality.” In popular hotels, bartenders may be expected to serve up hundreds of cocktails on busy nights, and so investing in high-quality tools and gadgets generally pays off handsomely in the long run.