Travel drink mixer can take your cocktail making on-the-go with this kit. It has all the bar tools you need including Hawthorne strainers and muddlers in a stylish carry-on.
It contains a complete set of bar tools in a compact 14×10 inch hard case. This includes a shaker, strainer, double jigger, stirrer and muddler. It also has slots to hold bottles of spirits and two rocks glasses.
Shaker
The shaker is the core of any cocktail set. This heavy-duty metal container is designed to seal tightly, so ingredients won’t escape during shaking. It’s also easy to clean and durable enough to hold up to frequent use. For the best results, choose a stainless steel model that’s dishwasher-safe and won’t alter or absorb odors. Some professional-grade shakers are made from pure copper, which adds a touch of luxury to your bar cart and has antimicrobial properties.
The Tablecraft Cobbler Shaker is a popular choice for first-time bartenders. This rust-resistant, high-quality shaker earned top marks in our dry shake test (without ice) and wet shake test (with ice). Its sturdy construction ensures it will last a long time and provides a good feel in your hand. The shaker features a rubber gasket and printed recipes that make it easy to follow the recipe exactly.
When choosing a shaker, look for one that has a thick base and is well-balanced. Place the cap firmly on top of the shaker, secure it with your hand. And grip it with the other hand on its bottom. Then, shake vigorously in an up-and-down motion over your shoulder for 10 to 15 seconds. Some bartenders will even hum or dance while shaking to get into the rhythm. It’s important to shake the ingredients hard, not soft, because the movement helps agitate them and promote emulsion. With practice, you’ll soon have a drink as delicious as those at your favorite restaurant or hotel. To improve your technique, try practicing with water before you begin mixing drinks. This will give you a feel for how much force to apply and how long to shake.
Strainer
A strainer is a bar tool that keeps any ice shards, fruit pulp, or herbs out of the cocktail you’re pouring into the glass. It’s a type of sieve that sits on top of a shaker or mixing glass, with metal tabs that snap into place and hold the glass tightly. It also has small holes that only allow liquid to pass through. Some cocktails call for extra-fine straining to get the very last drops of flavor.
Strainers come in a variety of shapes and styles. The most common strainer is the Hawthorne, which looks like a flat disc with two or more stabilizing prongs and a metal spring fixed around its rim. It fits onto any shaker or mixing glass, and the spring helps to filter out ice, fruits, and seeds.
Some drink recipes call for double-straining, especially if you’ve muddled fresh or torn herbs, or shaken a drink with an egg white. The second strainer is called a fine mesh strainer, and it helps to pick out any small bits of fruit or ice that may have slipped through the first strainer.
Another strainer option is a julep strainer, which has a deep cone construction and sits snugly on any shaker or mixing glass. It has smaller holes and fits tighter on the glass than other strainers, but it’s still easy to work with.
Finally, there’s the Cobbler strainer, which has a built-in strainer that comes in a three-piece shaker. It’s easy to use, and it’s the only strainer on this list that can be used for a double-strained cocktail. It’s also sturdy and dishwasher safe. Schranz recommends it for those who need a solid, simple strainer that won’t break the bank.
Bottles
Whether you’re heading to a backyard barbecue or your favorite bar for Happy Hour, this travel bar set has you covered. A handsome black executive-style case outfitted with padded dividers and a lock keeps everything secure, while two 3 1/2-ounce martini glasses, a double jigger, a funnel, and a shaker nestle in the top for a cocktail-making station that’s a perfect secret weapon for parties or vacations.
This stainless steel bottle is TSA-approved for carry-ons, and its double-wall build keeps hot liquids hot and cold ones cold for hours. A wide opening makes it easy to add ice and other ingredients, and the large capacity accommodates most of our tester’s cocktails with room to spare. We like how it’s dishwasher safe, too, and a transparent color helps you see when it’s time to wash it out.
For supertasters who can’t stand the metallic taste of some metal water bottles, consider this insulated bottle from Purist Collective. Its interior base is coated in silicon dioxide that creates a glass-like barrier and prevents the transfer of metal. It’s also a bit smaller than other bottles we tested, making it easier to fit into most luggage and backpacks.
For a fuss-free kit that allows you to make the basics at home, consider this travel set from Bittermilk. Each bottled mixer is carefully balanced with an equal amount of bittering agent, sweetener, and acid. Just add booze, and you can create cocktails like the cozy maple whiskey sour or the seasonal gingerbread old fashioned. It’s available at Whole Foods Market, Cost Plus World Market, and Williams Sonoma, and it comes in a variety of fun flavors. Each one comes with a ratio on the back of the label that tells you how much spirit to add.
Sugar
This skinny cocktail mixer is packed with real fruit juices, natural flavors and just enough cane or agave sugar. Baker says to look for mixes with short ingredient lists, which can help avoid off-tasting additives. “The ones that have the least amount of ingredients express their main flavor the best,” he says. It may not have the depth of a hand-muddled cocktail, but it will add a smooth sweetness to your highball or frozen Margarita.
Bitters
Bitters are an essential ingredient to any cocktail kit and a must-have for the home bartender. They add depth and complexity to drinks and are also used to make mocktails. These zero alcohol libations activate your bitter receptors and can help aid digestion and relieve stress. They can also be sipped straight or mixed with your favorite spirits. These are a sophisticated alternative to flavored sparkling water and make a great addition to the drinks cooler at your next pool party or picnic.
There are many different brands of bitters on the market, but a few of the best include Angostura and Peychaud’s. These 19th-century workhorses have a gentian root base and are used in a variety of cocktails, including the Manhattan, Old Fashioned, Sazerac, and Vieux Carre. Peychaud’s are also a great addition to whiskey cocktails, bringing in notes of licorice and cinnamon that play well with the bourbon you choose for your drink.
Hella bitters
Hella bitters are another option that’s gaining popularity, according to expert bartenders. This aromatic bitters is a mix of ginger and turmeric with the usual gentian root. It’s a little less harsh than the other options and works well with whiskey as well as lemonade.
These mini bottles of bitters from The Bitter Truth are perfect for the travel kit. The set includes five 20-ml bottles that are small enough to fit in a carry-on bag and can be used to make a variety of cocktails. The set comes in a charming tin box that’s perfect for gifting to the cocktail connoisseur on your list.
Flavor enhancers
If you prefer a more traditional cocktail, the bitters in this kit will help you create an old-fashioned using Plymouth gin. All you have to do is coat a glass with the bitters, then pour in chilled gin. You can garnish with a lemon wedge to enhance the flavor.
