Are your cocktails inconsistent? Feel like you need help pouring out exact measurements of your spirits? If so, using a cocktail jigger is the perfect solution!
It used to be that “eying it” was the way to go, but using a basic bar jigger to make sure your drinks are made the same way every time is way more commonly accepted these days.
Today, I’ll share some useful tips and tricks you need to know when shopping for this essential bartending tool and for pouring all your drinks with accuracy and precision.
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WHAT IS A JIGGER?
With measurement markings either on the inside or outside of this hourglass-shaped tool, this mini measuring cup is what you use to calculate perfect measurements of each liquid ingredient in your drink recipes.
As a bartender standard, this simple little tool is the ideal gift for any cocktail lover– it’ll take their drinks to the next level by ensuring accuracy. Every. Time.
(And if you’re shopping for yourself or someone else who loves cocktails and is just getting started, I recommend checking out our beautiful gift box of a bunch of tools they’ll need, like a shaker tin, strainer, mixing glass, and cocktail picks.)
If you want to make sure the capacity measurements of your own double-sided jigger are really accurate, this article will guide you through how to check jigger measurements using a basic kitchen scale.
Copyright A Bar Above
TIPS FOR USING JIGGERS:
1. Make sure that you know how to measure properly with each style. With the classic and the Japanese styles of jiggers, you want to fill them up so that the meniscus (the curve of the liquid) forms over the top of the jigger.
2. Pour your thinnest ingredients first. If you pour a purée first, for example, and there is some residue inside the jigger… you just cannot get a precise pour on the next ingredient you add. I save the thick ingredients for the very last measure.
3. If you work in a fast-paced cocktail bar, you can actually hold your double bartender jigger between your ring and middle fingers while doing other tasks! With a little practice, you can become very fast at precision pouring this way.
