Best muddlers according to redditors

> WI Old Fashion

> “Jero” mixture

> Southern Comfort

> pickled “garbage”

Leave now!

A true WI Old Fashioned is a booze fruit cocktail. You muddle (smash the shit out of with a wooden dowel or fancy smashing thing) a cherry and an orange slice with some sugar (I use brown, most use white, sometimes I put a small amount of Grenadine in there too (it's what the cherries are soaking in)) and 3 heaping dashes of bitters in an Old Fashioned glass (it's roughly 1 oz larger than a rocks glass). You then add ice, a shot (2 if you're from WI) of your liquor of choice which is Korbel brandy and anything else is sacrilege, and top it off with sweet (sprite), sour (Graff's 50/50 or squirt), press (short for Presbyterian, which is an equal mix of sweet and sour) or club soda. Garnish with an orange slice, a cherry and what ever other fruit you may have lying around in the bar's fruit tray (lime for sour, pineapple if you got it).

A very small selection may garnish with pickled mushrooms, cocktail onions or olives, but those aren't the kind of people you want to be seen hanging around.

Correctemundo!

If the company's paying for it. Run over to Cocktail Kingdom or Barfly and piece together your kit. Or simply pick up Barfly's super deluxe kit (Barfly website link). I'd add a Big Ass Muddler, Santoku, additional size jigger and whatever else you need. This kit will probably last your lifetime.

If that price is too high...

Pick up this Vino Bravo kit, add what you need and grab a nice work bag from Home Depot/Lowes. It's a B+ kit, as opposed to the A+ of Barfly and Cocktail Kingdom... for 1/4 the price.

I suggest pushing for the first idea if you can.

~Good luck!

ETA: Don't forget a cheap stone or knife sharpener.

http://www.amazon.com/Rabbit-Springing-Muddler-Stainless-Steel/dp/B00M72R90S

Do NOT get a cobbler. They are a pain to get apart and I haven't used one yet where the top part hasn't all but sealed shut completely. You want a metal on metal shaker. Steel has the best thermal properties and isn't ever going to break.

I personally would advise the following:

Shaker:
https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Steel-Boston-Shaker-Professional/dp/B06Y2NN5N3/ref=sr_1_5?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1501019324&sr=1-5&keywords=boston+shaker

Spoon:
https://www.amazon.com/Hiware-Inches-Stainless-Pattern-Cocktail/dp/B00IRY8CJ2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1501019552&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=bar+spoon&psc=1

Jigger
https://www.amazon.com/Vking-Japanese-Jigger-Stainless-Cocktail/dp/B0126GQ806/ref=sr_1_8?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1501019600&sr=1-8&keywords=jigger

Strainer:
https://www.amazon.com/Winco-Stainless-Steel-4-Prong-Strainer/dp/B000H7VF64/ref=sr_1_4?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1501019642&sr=1-4&keywords=bar+strainer

Muddler (Edit): https://www.amazon.com/HIC-Muddler-FSC-Certified-Beechwood-8-75-Inches/dp/B00KLHNH34/ref=sr_1_14?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1501019848&sr=1-14&keywords=muddler

Barmat (Edit, but HIGHLY recommended): https://www.amazon.com/BonBon-Professional-Bar-Service-Mat/dp/B06X93XN69/ref=sr_1_4?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1501019915&sr=1-4&keywords=bar+mat

Muddler

EDIT: looks very similar in purpose to this: https://www.amazon.com/Winco-Wooden-Muddler-Lacquered-Walnut/dp/B000GFP0PO/ref=mp_s_a_1_4/139-6884798-9460907

$60 seems really pricy. Just a quick search on amazon brought me up a 13 piece set for $12^1 and then toss in a muddler (if your doing a fruited old fashioned) for $13.^2 Take the money you save and spend it on booze!

^1 (http://www.amazon.com/13-Piece-Professional-Bar-Set/dp/B004LD54OO/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1394728318&sr=8-16&keywords=boston+shaker)

^2 http://www.amazon.com/OXO-3104900-SteeL-Muddler/dp/B003AIKP0O/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1394728467&sr=1-1&keywords=oxo+muddler

https://www.amazon.com/Professional-Quality-Stainless-Cocktail-Muddler/dp/B01DH1K9HM/ref=sr_1_24?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1488036646&sr=1-24&keywords=cocktail+muddler

I am in no way endorsing the safety of this particular item, but here's something that's worked for me:

https://www.amazon.com/Bon-Cocktail-Muddler-BonBon%C2%AE-Luxury/dp/B017JA3QLI/

>The object is 8.5 inches in length. The two balls on the end are fully attached

Hmmm.... I think its a Muddler for Mojitos or Old Fashions. I've seen similar objects used in lots of bars. Home bars too.

This is a standard one, but I've seen ones like you have found too.

I love herbal medicine. I try not to talk about it here because I don't want to tell other people how to live their lives, but I talk about it a lot with people I know.

This muddler is a really useful tool for making tinctures (alcohol extracts of plants). Sometimes you have to press the herbs down a lot to get the alcohol to cover them, and hands just don't fit in a mason jar like a muddler does.

My personal favorite.
It's one of the only ones you can buy without a finish on it already. I was a drummer for a time so the Vic Firth name had me pretty excited, too. My tried and true way to seal it is using mineral oil. You keep a bottle handy and after every other night of use, rub some oil on with a towel.

I can't say enough about how awesome [seltzer bottles] are. I picked up a couple vintage ones from ebay that I use. There are a ton of ways you can go, but making variations on simple syrups is a great approach. A basic simple syrup is equal parts (volume wise) sugar and water. You put it on the stove until it first starts to bubble and then kill the heat. At this point you can add herbs and let them steep for an hour or so and then strain the syrup and press on the herbs. I've had great success with mint, basil, thyme and lavender. You can also use citrus zest; I find a microplane to be essential for this. Ginger is also great for a simple syrup and I use the microplane for this as well.

Another great technique is muddling. You take some fruit and/or herbs and muddle them together. I prefer a plain wooden muddler with flat ends.

Here are some recipes; you have to experiment with quantities, but here are the ingredients:

Basil cranberry soda: cranberry juice, seltzer water and basil simple syrup.

Peach and basil soda: muddle peaches with basil, add seltzer water and basil simple syrup.

Blueberry and thyme soda: for this I puree the blueberries and run it through a strainer and then add thyme simple syrup and seltzer water.

Strawberry and mint soda: For this I chop and macerate both the strawberries and mint (add some sugar to the chopped strawberries and let them sit; it vastly improves the texture and flavor of the strawberries) and then puree it. I've also done this with cardamom instead of mint with the addition of orange zest gathered with a microplane. You then puree this and seltzer water.

Chai soda: I infuse a simple syrup with cardamom, ginger, black tea, cloves, nutmeg and smashed cinnamon sticks. I use four times the amount of black tea I would use to brew a cup of tea. Add seltzer water and you are good to go; a little whole milk can be a great addtion as well. A basic recipe follows:

2 cups water

2 cups sugar

8 bags of lipton tea opened and the tea is then emptied

6 cardamom pods; crushed with a spoon

1/2 teaspoon grated ginger

1 tablespoon of cloves

1 teaspoon of nutmeg

2 cinnamon sticks; crushed into dime size pieces

Watermelon mint soda: Purreed watermelon, mint simple syrup and seltzer water.

Peach ginger soda: Macerate the peaches, puree them, add ginger simple syrup and seltzer water.

Blueberry lavender soda: Pureed and strained blueberries, lavender simple syrup and seltzer water.

There are a ton of ways you can go with this sort of thing. Sometimes some fresh lemon or lime juice can help balance the acidity. Have fun. Enjoy the fruit that is in season. Create your own fun drinks. Cheers.

[This](http://www.Cocktail.com/ Kingdom "Bad Ass Muddler https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008XPFRAW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_XvcYDbXQKYDJ8) Muddler may be up your alley

I was making mojitos with whatever implement I could find to do the crushing, but honestly once I got a proper muddler it was so much easier. Especially for certain build techniques, e.g. where you muddle the mint and syrup with lime wedges.

I got this muddler recently and it's kinda hard to see from the photos, but the bottom is toothy, which helps it grip the stuff you're trying to crush. I don't know if another tool can really do the same job as well.

Cocktail Muddler, they come in all kinds of shapes and sizes

http://www.amazon.com/Artaste-Stainless-Cocktail-Muddler-7-75-Inch/dp/B00MC5ZJV6/ref=sr_1_46?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1458144093&sr=1-46&keywords=cocktail+muddler

I posted this in another thread recently; here's a pretty simple process that I use that works really well for me and my friends.

1. Microwave a plate so it's warm to touch. Don't heat it up where it hurts to hold the plate with your bare hands.
   
   2a) Put your rock/powder in one of these over the hot plate.
   
   2b) Use something like this or the back end of a spoon if your in a pinch (although I've found that a spoon doesn't work as well for bigger rocks) to crush up your rock/powder through the strainer onto your hot plate.
   
   
2. Use anything like a credit card to spread your powder over the plate and crush up any remaining pebbles with the credit card then make those beautiful lines.
   
   Perfect consistency every time.

I made a great single pole anal electrode from a stainless steel muddler... all i did was attach a tens pad to it to electrify it and it was ready to go..works and feels amazing

https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Cocktail-Muddlers-HQY-Muddler/dp/B0129CB6G8/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=muddle&qid=1566430435&s=gateway&sr=8-3

The basics:
Shaker: http://www.amazon.com/Premium-Cocktail-Shaker-Set-Stainless/dp/B000796F1W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377017012&sr=8-1&keywords=cocktail+shaker

Spoon: http://www.amazon.com/RSVP-Endurance-Stainless-Steel-Handle/dp/B000F7JY00/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1377017049&sr=8-3&keywords=cocktail+spoon

Muddler: http://www.amazon.com/Tablecraft-H4258-Stainless-Muddler-Plastic/dp/B0032FOQY6/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1377017078&sr=8-8&keywords=cocktail+muddler

My fav strainer: http://www.amazon.com/OXO-1058016-SteeL-Cocktail-Strainer/dp/B0000DAQ93/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377017130&sr=8-1&keywords=cocktail+strainer

Jigger: http://www.amazon.com/OXO-Steel-Angled-Measuring-Jigger/dp/B00B6LUAPW/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1377017174&sr=8-6&keywords=oxo+measuring+cup

These few things should get her to a good start. If she prefers a Boston Shaker (http://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Steel-Cocktail-Shaker-oz/dp/B000NNO2X0/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1377017243&sr=8-6&keywords=cocktail+shaker), all you'll need is a typical pint glass to go with it.

Oh, you've gotta get these big ice cube trays. Only way to enjoy your cocktail, if you're serious about your drinks.(http://www.amazon.com/Tovolo-KING-Cube-Trays-Blue/dp/B00395FHRO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377017434&sr=8-1&keywords=big+ice+cube+tray).

Does she has glassware? Collins glasses, old fashioned glasses, highballs? Might be good to look for some of those too. Also, people often give away glassware on Craigslist for free or for next to nothing.

If I can think of anything else, I'll come back to this. Should get you off to a good start though.

This is my preferred route.

Equipment

cocktail kingdom shaken set

hiware barspoon

winco wooden muddler

A cutting board (I prefer black plastic ones, wood breaks apart and usually gets all bacterial, yech)

A cheap santoku knife

cocktail kingdom channel knife

There's the most important equipment that should last you awhile at home.

10 Bottles

1. Vodka - Sobieski, Tito's, Ketel One, meh they are all almost the same for these cheap cocktail vodkas for the most part. The key is you want an 80 proof grain vodka (not potato) for cocktails since most recipes are based around that.
   
   
2. Gin - Hendricks Gin is kind of expensive but worth it, I also advise Aviation gin if you can find it. Two different styles, but Aviation was very neutral and easy going in all the cocktails I made with it (except for classic gin Martinis, you want something like Hendricks for that).
   
   
3. Silver Rum - I always advise Flor De Cana 4 year Extra Dry if you can find it. Bacardi is okay, but it's only stocked in a bunch of bars because it's sponsoring everyone and giving them discounts. Silver Rum should be cheap and smooth in my book, I've never understood the appeal of the expensive silver rums in cocktails.
   
   
4. Bourbon - Old Granddad bonded OR four roses small batch if you want to spend a little more on quality. Don't listen to the hype. In cocktails you rarely can taste the difference between a 40 dollar bottle and a 20 dollar bottle. Maker's mark is overrated as fuck, and it's in a bunch of bars because it sponsors everyone and gives them a discount. In the price range of Maker's Mark you'd be better off getting Four Roses Single Barrel or spending a little more for Blanton's (both of which should only be used in classic old fashioned's or drank neat, since it would be a waste otherwise).
   
   
5. Reposado Tequila - I prefer the one that is most commonly associated with excellent margaritas. Jose Cuervo Tradicional Reposado. Not Jose Cuervo Especial Gold (that shit is garbage), talking about Tradicional Reposado. It's neutral and goes in almost every tequila cocktail that calls for reposado. Reposado is the best way to make margaritas for sure. You can do it with silver/blanco but it lacks character when you do. The best margarita's in Colorado and anywhere I've been use Jose Cuervo Tradicional Reposado for their Margarita's and it's part of why they are so good.
   
   
6. Orange Liqueur - If you can find it, get Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao. If not, get Cointreau. Don't skimp on orange liqueur, it's very important. Shitty triple sec will ruin a drink, and only people who have no taste think that Hiram Walker is acceptable in a drink.
   
   
7. Sweet Vermouth - Carpano Antica if you can find it. Dolin Rouge Vermouth if you cannot (much cheaper but still acceptable). Buy small bottles for a home bar and refrigerate it after opening because it will start to lose it's character after a few weeks.
   
   
8. Dark Rum - Gosling's Black Seal if you can find it, if not get Myer's. Basically when some recipes call for dark or black rum, this is usually the flavor profile they are referring to.
   
   
9. Silver Tequila - Honestly, some cocktails just don't work with reposado's character so you need silver/blanco tequila. Pick up Espolon's Blanco tequila. It's cheap, smooth, and has a pretty strong agave note which is nice. Very good cocktail mixing tequila.
   
   
10. Bitters - Combining all the bitters you'll want in one category. Buy them, they will last you for years in a home bartender situation. Angostura bitters, Regan's Orange Bitters, Peychaud's Bitters, Fee Brothers Celery Bitters, and (my personal favorite) Bar Keep's Apple Bitters. These will set you back at first (costing 10-20 bucks a bottle), but they will last you a long time. Pick them up overtime.
    
    A lot of the brand suggestions in here are surprising, the other comments are suggesting typical sponsor brands a lot. I would steer clear of brands you are used to seeing at dive bars.