A bar spoon is a long-handled spoon — 30 centimeters of twisted steel — used for stirring cocktails in a mixing glass, layering floats, and measuring small quantities (a bar spoon equals roughly 5 ml or a teaspoon). The twisted handle is functional: you hold the handle between two fingers and rotate it so the spoon travels around the inside of the mixing glass in smooth, uninterrupted circles without your hand having to change position. It takes a bit of practice to learn, but the technique produces a quieter, smoother stir than any other method.
Why It Matters
Stirring a cocktail correctly requires the right tool. A regular spoon is too short and the wrong shape — it creates turbulence rather than the smooth rotation that chills a drink without over-aerating it. The bar spoon's length keeps your hand warm while your fingers stay off the cold glass.
Where You'll Use It
Stirring in a mixing glass, floating cream or syrups, measuring small amounts of bitter or modifier.