Spring is sprung and we are into full-on summer in my neck of the woods!  Temperatures are mimicking mid-August rather than early June…but early June it is with Father’s Day right around the corner.  This year is just flying by so quickly.

So don’t forget Dad on his big day and, of course, In the Curious Kitchen wouldn’t dare let that happen.  We are rolling out some fabulous new products in our shop–and wouldn’t you know it–-it would be the absolute perfect present for Dad.  And if your Dad is anything like my Dad, he will appreciate a few surprises to complete his bar.

One of my fondest memories of my Dad is watching him entertain his golfing buddies or his older brothers around his at-home bar.  He is a natural entertainer and always has been.  Hmmmm…I wonder where I get it?   Dad’s bar was in the basement of our totally 70s split-level  ranch. Today we would call it his “man cave” but back in the day, it was just Dad’s bar and the four of us kids were basically sequestered to the upper floors of the house.  But Dad would let me hang out when he was setting things up and I was mezmorized by his array of bar “tools,” glassware, and his assortment of bar accessories and cocktail napkins.

He taught me the importance of using the proper tool for the job, regardless of the job, and the bar is no different.  A well-stocked bar isn’t really complete without it’s “tool kit!” In the Curious Kitchen now offers some key elements of bar tools and accessories that would be the perfect for this Father’s Day.

The Mixing Bar Spoon. Any cocktail with more than one ingredient needs to be stirred and our long-handled spoon is a fancy teaspoon, but such a necessity. The longer handle is often necessary when making up a batch of cocktails. It’s a very handy tool in a well-stocked bar. They are strong…and long…and weighted just so to help them effortless mix a cocktail, or two, or four 

The Jigger. Now before you pass by this baby because it’s basically a shot glass, think again!  A jigger, or some say double jigger, is a special hourglass-shaped bar took used for exact measurements.  Think of it as the measuring cup for booze. They are used in home bars and master mixologists alike.  Standard jiggers have two cups, one is larger than the other.  The larger size is actually a jigger shot and has is one and a half ounces.  The smaller cup, also called the pony shot, hold one ounce.  Both are used for various ingredients in cocktails.  And FYI, a shot refers to a small serving of alcohol served from a shot glass. While the standard size of a shot glass is one and a half ounces, some can hold double or even triple shots.  For exact measurements, use the jigger.  Trust me on this.

The Hawthorne Strainer. This strange looking gadget is a flat metal disk with an attached coil-spring-like thingee.  The spring is designed to trap large chunks, solid ingredients or solid ingredients, like mint leaves or muddled fruit. Unlike a  lot of products this strainer is not named for its inventor or the company but this strainer gets its name from a Boston bar, called The Hawthorne Cafe.  You may also know this as a julep strainer because it is commonly used when serving those tasty mint juleps.  And speaking of mint juleps, the Hawthorne Strainer would be the perfect addition to one of our Mint Julep Cocktail Kits. Both would make a wonderful gift!

The Cocktail Shaker.  For most bar professionals, a cocktail shaker might be the most essential bar tool–quite possible the most important tool used to make a great cocktail.  Now, we know that not all drinks are shaken, a lot are stirred in a mixing vessel or glass with a bar spoon (see above) but for cocktails that rely on shakers to incorporate all the flavors, the perfect chill, or even the dilution, then you must shake it up!  Our shaker is the most useful type with a larger shaking tin, a built-in strainer, and a cap to prevent it from spraying all over your bar!   Think of the cocktail shaker like a pan for the kitchen. You don’t always use it but when you need it, you need it.

The Wooden Reamer. This tool is essentially a citrus juicer.  It’s a device used to release the juice from the fruit like a drill.  Ours is a handheld, wooden tool that has a handle at one end and a cone-shaped “blade” on the other end. You push the fruit onto the blade over the glass and twist to get every last drop.  We also include this tool with our Kentucky Mule Cocktail Kit–another good choice for Father’s Day.

In addition to the tools, any of our cocktail kits would be a perfect gift for Dad, or the grad, or a groomsman.  We offer the Mint Julep Kit, perfect for anytime of the year…not just Derby time.  Mint Juleps are so refreshing and fun. There’s the newest kit, The Kentucky Mule, which is a bluegrass state-inspired curious twist on the Moscow Mule.  And last, but certainly never least, our best selling it…The Old Fashioned Cocktail Kit.

As many of you know, I am a bit partial to the Old Fashioned but lately, and especially as a change for the summer. I am switching things up a bit to enjoy the fresh strawberries that at my local Farmer’s Market. The Strawberry Bourbon Tea is so refreshing, make a plate of  Pimento Cheese, crackers and vegetables and I have the most delicious and easy summer snack dinner.