The 10 Best Cocktail Strainers
This wiki has been updated 15 times since it was first published in May of 2020. Different cocktails require the use of various strainers if you want to prepare them correctly. While some models are designed to retain large objects, like ice, others are made to catch smaller debris, like fruit pulp and egg shells. Whether you're mixing up mocktails or alcoholic beverages, something from our comprehensive selection can help with the finishing touch. When users buy our independently chosen editorial selections, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Top Shelf Bar Supply Set
2. TheBarsentials Tool Set
3. Barfly Classic
Editor's Notes
August 05, 2020:
More than anything else, cocktail strainers exist to remove pieces of ice and fruit pulp from vigorously shaken drinks that include fresh juice. For the best results, you’ll want to use a fine-mesh sieve to filter out the tiniest bits. However, if you’re only gently stirring liquids in a way that won’t break up your ice while making drinks that lack freshly squeezed juice like martinis and manhattans, a julep strainer should work just fine.
While julep strainers and sieves are great additions to any bartender’s tool set, this list is mostly dedicated to Hawthorne strainers since their versatile design catches a lot and is easy to use with both cocktail shakers and mixing glasses. Some drinks are even intended to be served with flecks of residual matter, and these models can accommodate.
The above being said, 3 pieces sets that included a Hawthorne strainer, a julep strainer, and a sieve like the Top Shelf Bar Supply Set and TheBarsentials Tool Set were shown some favor since they include pretty much everything you’ll ever need to filter a cocktail. Elsewhere, models with prongs were given preference over those without because they offer extra stability, except in the case of the Viski Warren, which is so wide that it can’t help but cover the opening of most mixing vessels.
Special Honors
Star Shaker Based in Greece, this online retailer carries an interesting collection of bar implements, many of which are actually made in Japan. From square and triangle Hawthorne models, to enchanting bamboo sieves, their tasteful selection of strainers is worth a look, but can definitely get pricey. If you've got some extra time, you might even consider taking a gander at some of their more out-of-the-way offerings, like cocktail smokers and a cotton candy machine. starshaker.com
Bar Supplies Don't let the simple name fool you. This website has a load of interesting options to choose from, including strainers that look like tree branches, skulls, and octopuses, not to mention more practical offerings like replacement springs. At the bottom of each of their pages you'll also find links to the alternative sites they operate which supply bulk and customized orders for commercial enterprises. barsupplies.com
4. Homestia Fine Mesh
5. Viski Warren
6. Homestia Hawthorne
7. Pina Commercial Quality
8. Sky Fish Professional
9. Cocktail Kingdom Koriko
10. A Bar Above for Mixologists
Samuel Johnson Moyle is a writer residing in Portland, Oregon, with his artist wife and two jobless cats. In addition to researching for Ezvid Wiki, he assists students in Portland State University’s writing center, teaches college courses such as 222 Research Writing and 323 Writing as a Critical Inquiry, and does every front-of-house job imaginable at Portland’s most popular restaurant, where he has worked for over ten years. He earned his bachelor and TESOL certification at Portland State before heading to Tokyo to teach ESL and later returned to his alma mater to earn his master’s in English as a fully funded graduate assistant. His range of job and life experiences grant him expertise in categories including camping, outdoors, pets, furniture, and more.