Reddit reviews OXO SteeL Double Jigger

I use the OXO Steel Double Jigger. It has easy to read markings for smaller measurements and is thick enough in the center that I can hold a tin in my left hand, the jigger between my left index and middle fingers, a bottle in my right, and tilt the jigger to pour the ingredients without having to set the tin down. This comes in super handy when someone orders a drink not on the menu and I have to leave my well to go to the back bar, where none of my spirits have speed pours.

I usually just use a known measure, even a tablespoon, to work it out, since very few have fill lines. I personally want to replace my collection with this one.

Generally, you don't want to buy a set (this applies to most consumer goods) as they usually are compiled of subpar or superfluous items, aimed for the uninformed beginner who just want to get started, but instead pick good stuff yourself.

• I'd say buy a shaker from one of the places mentioned here - buy a 'Tin on Tin' Boston shaker. Cobbler shakers need to be kinda expensive before they're good, while Boston shakers are great, even if the machining isn't ultra precise. They are also simpler to work with and clean.
  
  
• Downside is that you are going to need a strainer for a boston shaker as well. The one I see recommended the most is the OXO Hawthorne strainer (Link) - which I own as well, it's great and cheap. Most other hawthorne strainers are fine too, as long as they are big enough to cover the shaker, and won't fall in.
  
  
• If he doesn't have one already, I would also get him a fine strainer. This one you can buy from any kitchenware store / amazon, and it doesn't need to be fancy.
  
  
• He will probably also need a measuring device. If he likes showmanship, get him some jiggers from one of the cocktail sites, or if he's more practical, get an OXO Clear measuring cup (Link). I would reccomend the latter to any home bartender. For a compromise between the two, there's also the slightly fancier steel measuring cup (Link) or the OXO Stainless double jigger (Link).
  
  
• Finally, I'd also recommend some kind of juicer, as most drinks contain some kind of acid, usually citrus. Personally, I like the Chef'n'FreshForce Citrus Juicer (Link), but others are available.
  
  With a Shaker, a Strainer, (a Fine Strainer), (a Juicer), and a Jigger, you can make pretty much any shaken drink. If you want, you can look into a muddler as well. I'd recommend staying away from buying anything expensive. Best deal is buying a french rolling pin and chopping it into two muddlers (Link).
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  Even though shaken drinks are the majority, most of my favourites are still stirred drinks. If you want you can splurge on a mixing glass from one of the cocktail sites which are pretty but really expensive, or you can check IKEA. Their VARDAGEN or BENUNGE cups are pretty perfect for this (Link). He'll also need a cocktail spoon for stirring. Either buy one from the cocktail sites (Avoid those with the red tip), or find a neat pair of chopsticks. The chopsticks are untraditional, especially in the west, but are functionally as good or better as a spoon for most use cases.
  
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  Apart from gear to make cocktails, one thing which is always nice to get, is glasses for serving them in. I don't know if this applies to your dad, but some fancy stemmed glasses are always cool to get.
  
  
  
  If you're in Europe, check out Cocktailkingdom.co.uk or Cocktailian.de. Otherwise, Amazon is great (remember to check .co.uk and .de for better deals). I bought my shaker and cocktail spoon from Homestia.com, and am happy with them; good quality, great price, and arrived in a fancy box. The only downside is that I think they ship from China, so it might not arrive prior to christmas.

The 3 piece shaker is more work to clean and has a smaller capacity than a 2 piece shaker. That hawthorne strainer looks useless. the spring on it is not nearly taught enough to filter out small pieces of ice or pulp. I don't use speed pourers at home and don't know why someone would want to.

Cocktail kingdom carries top of the line stuff. To start I'd get a 2 piece shaker from them, their hawthorne strainer, and then any julep and tea strainer will do. The oxo jigger is very nice for home users. I've also heard good things about "top shelf bar supply", and I believe their stuff is more affordable.

cocktail kingdom sells the best muddler, but you don't need that at the beginning.

You'll want a hand-held citrus juicer eventually. Something like this is the way to go, with as much metal as possible.

for garnishes you'll want a y-peeler, and for a y-peeler you want kuhn-rikon. 3 of those are still like 1/3 cheaper than brands that work way worse.

barspoons are nice but you can get by with a chopstick or just a regular old spoon.

http://12bottlebar.com/

Go to that site, which is sadly no longer active, but the back log is great. Find recipes that basically use the stuff you have, and start working your way through it. Read the articles.

Or, they have a book, which is worth buying.

You will likely not be needing that blender, at least not very often. I find most blended drinks are more work than what they're worth on a small scale.

Otherwise, you just need a shaker and a pint glass for stirred drinks. You also might want to purchase a Hawthorne Strainer, a jigger, and possibly a mesh strainer.

I could list out 50 drinks that basically just use the spirits you have plus some juices/sugar, but I'd just be listing the stuff that's on 12 Bottle Bars site.

I won't do a ton, but here's an example of one rabbit hole: First, make a Gimlet, if you like it, then try a Fitzgerald, if you like it, then make a Bee's Knees. If you like that, then make a Gold Rush...

You get the idea.

When you wake up, order one of these: https://smile.amazon.com/OXO-3105000-SteeL-Double-Jigger/dp/B0036X4YOG/ref=sr_1_5

Your drinks will become so much better.

I'd go with the Jigger/Pony combo

For garnish accessories you can't go wrong by buying them in bulk from a restaurant supply place.

Meh. I guess the third one. Best reviews and it has a metal-on-metal shaker, which is my personal preference. If your interest persists you will probably end up upgrading almost everything in the kit.

You could probably get by for a long time with just a shaker, jigger, barspoon, hawthorne strainer, and a fine mesh strainer.

$47 total and all those products have a much better chance of persisting in a cocktail enthusiast's equipment for the long haul. You could later add quality versions of the other stuff (muddler, more jiggers, etc).

I have owned (and still use!) everything in that above list. Though I am considering upgrading the hawthorne strainer to one with a tighter coil in the spring (I have heard good things about Cocktail Kingdom's).

This is a great jigger, he can make do without a barspoon, muddler, and strainer (unless he's making cocktails with egg), a funnel should be cheap, like less than 2 dollars. I've found a few things on amazon, I think it's a good place to shop.

Unless he's starting with no gear, most sets don't make sense.

I've always been able to find recipes online; /u/hebug's Not Cocktail of the Week series on /r/cocktails is where I went for all of my recipes for months and I still rely upon it regularly. Most recipe books include a lot of garbage he wouldn't (and shouldn't) ever make. There are some good recipe books, but the good ones tend to be a little specialized; for example Beachbum Berry's book, Beachbum Berry Remixed is amazing if you want to make tiki cocktails and are willing to buy about 10 bottles of rum and buy or make another 5-10 bottles of liqueur and syrup otherwise it's not worth picking up.

My favorite tools for home-made liqueurs and syrups are 1/2 pint, pint, and quart sized mason jars and swing-top glass bottles (most of mine are recycled beer and soda bottles).

Hopefully this helps a little.

Ooh, very nice. Shiny and curvy. And very fancy. At the moment I am partial to this one by OXO https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0036X4YOG/ it has very clear markings and a nice grip.

Edit: Not to say the OXO is in the league of OP's jigger, that Leopold is one sexy jigger right there, and I may have to acquire one. Or give one as a gift to my favorite bartender. Wonder if Cocktail Kingdom offers engraving...

Amazon is your friend...

The Oxo Jigger has 1/4 and 1/3 oz markings in addition to the typical 1/2 and 3/4.

Find it on your local Amazon site. Here's a link to the American Amazon product page.

OXO SteeL Double Jigger

~Cheers

Town drunk

This isn't for me since I am under 21, but the gift card would be given to my dad whose birthday I missed because I had to drive up to college. If this isn't allowed I understand, but it was worth a shot.

these are the two measuring devices I use for whiskey. A more aesthetically pleasing stainless steel jigger that works fine. And the one I actually use 90% of the time 2 oz plastic measuring cup

http://www.amazon.com/OXO-3105000-SteeL-Double-Jigger/dp/B0036X4YOG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416245215&sr=8-1&keywords=jigger&pebp=1416245217686

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