What is a muddler? What is it used for? You might have seen something like a small baseball bat used to mash up mint in your mojito. The muddler is special in its own way, while at the same time being one of the most basic tools behind the bar. If you do not have one yet, get one! It can really add a lot of versatility to either mixing drinks at home, or when working at the local bar.
HISTORY OF THE MUDDLER
Before there were exclusive tools to build cocktails like the bar spoon with spirals, jigger, or even the metal shaker, the most primitive of them all is the MUDDLER.
Bartenders really didn’t have many options when mixing drinks. The only access to tools extended to spoons and basic strainers.
The muddler has withstood the test of time with its simple, durable, and practical design. You will see the muddlers with a flat end as well as a rounded end on the opposite.
Back in the colonial era, the muddler that we now know was actually called a “toddy stick”, due to the importance of the muddling of the sugar cube at the bottom of the glass or mug to sweeten the drink.
Later on, there was a tool called the “flip-dog” which was used to heat the flips of the colonial era (see: The Flip Cocktail – article).
THE DRINKS THAT REQUIRE THE MUDDLER
Just as an overview, here are a few cocktails that are suggested you have a muddler at hand:
- Mojito
- Bramble
- Whiskey Smash
- Clover Club (optional)
- Mint Julep
- Caipirinha
And much more. The muddler, although very simple and seemingly underwhelming, saves a lot of time behind the bar and can be a game-changer for most occasions!
Jonathan Echavarria 