Page 32 - Gin Journal - The Hobart Edition

ASSEMBLE YOUR COCKTAIL KIT
A few simple tools and you’ll be well on your way to taking on Tom Cruise in the cocktail stakes. Get started with a wooden muddler 1 to release the oils and juices of various ingredients, a long bar spoon 2 to swizzle ice cubes and cool down liquids, and a Hawthorne strainer 3 . In addition, a stainless steel jigger 4 will come in handy when measuring out spirits and getting those ratios right.
It can be tempting to go to town with your glassware but, as many cocktails are served in the same style of glass, it’s possible to get away with just a couple of versatile vessels. Coupe glasses 5 add a touch of old- school glamour and should be stored in the fridge for an hour or so before serving up a Manhattan or a Martini. Next, an elegant
Old Fashioned glass 6. (also known as a rocks glass or lowball) channels Mad Men-era cool and is perfectly suited to a Negroni or a Martinez.
Then think about what you already have in your cupboard. Most tall glasses that you’d normally use for water or soft drinks can double up as Collins glasses, which are ideal for long cocktails like a Gin Fizz or Singapore Sling. In addition, large red wine glasses can release the aromatic botanicals of a G&T without the need for a Spanish-style Copa or balloon glass.
Top tip: You can always improvise if you don’t have a cocktail shaker 7 – you just need a bottle with a cap that has a large enough opening to add ice and ingredients such as fruit and herbs.
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