Finally Friday: Friday Cocktails and Jigger Discussion

[Attjack]

I figured it might be time for another equipment discussion. Last time I talked about juicers but this week I want to highlight some jiggers.

Japanese Style Jiggers



These are great options. This one is from Barfly and is 2 oz on one end and 1 oz on the other. There are internal markings for ¼, ½, ¾, and 1 ½ oz. I may buy another in the future in .75 oz and .5 oz sizes so I can fill it to the top and not have to look for the markings inside. The major downfall for me to this style of jigger is that you end up dripping liquid on the counter when you flip it over to use the opposite end.

Western Jiggers



There may be a better description for this style of jigger that I'm not aware of. It is similar to the Japanese jiggers but squat rather than elongated. This one is 2 oz and 1 oz with no internal markings.

Angled Measuring Cups







These are another excellent choice. Although I could be wrong, I believe OXO invented these and others have copied them. They work like you expect and can measure out ounces, milliliters, tablespoons, and cups. They are very easy to use and the only major drawback is the lack of a 3/4 ounce measurement. The stainless steel version is durable and nice looking but can be a little more difficult to read than the see-through models. I had one of each from OXO before I spotted the knock-offs that are just as good for cheap and bought several extras that come in handy when I want to toss one in the dishwasher and still have others on hand.

Jigger with Handle



Perhaps the idea is to keep your hands clean or for performative reasons. I rarely use this one but it's part of my collection nonetheless.

Measuring Glasses

These tend to have many markings, including various units of measure, and sometimes recipes. A large one can be useful to build everything inside of it and mix or shake with it too.





Lab Equipment

If it's good enough for science it's good enough for mixology. I've used these more often for brewing.



Dual Purpose





Finally, here's an oddball, the jigger spoon combo. I often question why I still have it. More useful is this bartender multitool. I have one down at the cabin. Since I'm not there I grabbed this photo from the internet. It's a little cumbersome but it is compact and functional.

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And now this week's cocktails! What will you be making?

Campari and Soda

This is a great last-call cocktail or for any time you're looking for a low-alcohol cocktail option.

2 oz Campari
6 oz soda water
Lemon slice, or orange slice, for garnish


Chilcano De Pisco

I ran into this recipe recently and am looking forward to trying it.

2 ounces pisco
1 tablespoon lime juice, from 1/2 key lime
4 ounces ginger ale
Lime wedge, or wheel, for garnish


Cynar Negroni

Cynar is having a moment for me so I'm looking forward to trying this one too. I'm going to have to substitute another vermouth for Punt e Más unless I make it to the liquor store this weekend.

1.5 oz. Gin,
1.5 oz. Cynar
1.5 oz. Punt e Más

[shify]

I have a couple western jiggers that I don’t love and was thinking of picking up a Japanese style. I also routinely consider just weighting everything instead of doing volume since my scale is almost always out but haven’t made the jump yet.

I poured myself a Boulevarier. A great cold weather start to the evening. I deviate from the standard 1:1:1 ratio.

1 1/2 oz Rittenhouse Rye
3/4 oz Campari
3/4 oz Carpano Antica

[Attjack]

I have been thinking I need to add a scale down in the bar. Cocktail recipes, however, are based on volume.

Rittenhouse Rye is on my list and I love the Boulevardier.

[shify]

Attjack - Rittenhouse is my favorite “cocktail” rye. It’s bottled in bond so 100 proof and is still fairly inexpensive. It’s a rare unicorn that is not only good on its own for mixing but is good bang for the buck

[Attjack]

Campari and Soda

4/5 stars

• 2 oz Campari
• 6 oz soda water
• Lemon slice, or orange slice, for garnish

Pour the Campari into a highball glass filled with ice. Top with soda water. Garnish with a lemon or orange slice.

[barelfly]

Love it. I just bought the same Japanese style jigger last month. I like the two sided volumes, works nicely for the cocktails I’ve made. There is an oxo jigger that looks great as well, with the branded oxo rubber for grip, but also different measurement lines compared to what I have. But - I don’t need another jigger

and your cocktail looks great! Also, the Rittenhouse bourbon is new to me, as of last month. I’ve seen it a few times in spots I couldn’t make the purchase at the time, but one of these days I will. Would love to try based on what I’ve read and seen on the YT.

[Attjack]

That Japanese jigger is all you need. I also like the look of the OXO version.

Thanks, my wife made one for me the other night and it hit the spot so I wanted to make it again today.

I tried Rittenhouse at a friend's house a couple of months back. I think his father recommended it to him. I thought it was good and want to grab some so I can see what I think after I've had more. I have been using Wild Turkey Rye recently.

[ecowper]

I actually like my handle jigger and use it more often than shot glasses or my Japanese jigger. Not sure why.

Tonight’s cocktail is a rye old fashioned …..

3 oz rye (Woodinville Whiskey’s rye)
1 tsp simple syrup
1 tsp club soda
3-4 dashes angostura bitters
1 maraschino cherry
1 orange twist

wipe the rim of an old fashioned glass with the inside of the orange twist
Add simple syrup, club soda, bitters and swirl with a spoon
Add one large ice cube, either square or ball
Add cherry
pour rye over the ice
swirl one more time
Twist the orange peel to release some citrus into the glass
Garnish with the orange peel

Drink and enjoy!

[smokin fool]

I took a bar tending course years ago, the Western Jigger was all we could use.
It gave me a lot of trouble, I have short, stubby, clumsy, not very agile fingers so i made the best of it.
The teachers were magic, could roll the thing across the knuckles, do tricks the whole nine yards.
Went right back to a shot glass on graduation.

[Old Glory]

Nice post. I have a Japanese jigger and the two angled jiggers you show the metal and plastic. Those are my go to since my Japanese jigger does not have internal measures.

I made an El Presidente last night but did not care for it. Then I made a gin gimlet subbing grenadine for simple syrup. Those were great I had three. They were less sweet and a touch more tart with a more fruity flavor from the pomegranate.