Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
Whether you’re mixing drinks at home, or looking to crush some ingredients for a recipe, muddlers have a wide range of capabilities in the kitchen. If you want to add something practical to your bar, or gift a friend the perfect tool for mojitos, we’ve reviewed the best cocktail muddler for bartenders both professional and amateur’s alike!
When you’re looking for a bar tool like this, you need something that’s both versatile and durable. Each of these muddlers we’ve reviewed are a totally affordable solution, but their shape, size, material and features do vary slightly. Depending on what you’re using them for, here’s a few things you might want to know before you buy a cocktail muddler.
What are Cocktail Muddlers Used for?
When you’re muddling, what you’re doing is gingerly mashing up ingredients like fruit, spices and herbs for cocktails. That is to say, they’re also incredibly useful for making non-alcoholic mocktails and recipes too!
You might be asking yourself: what’s the difference between a muddler and a mortar and pestle? A mortar and pestle are designed for grinding ingredients. Depending on how much you grind them down, you might end up with a somewhat liquified or granular mash. This is useful for bringing out the fullest and most intense flavors of an ingredient.
Muddling on the other hand, brings the flavor of the ingredient to the forefront without making its pulp a part of your drink. You’ll most commonly find it being used for making drinks like the classic Mojito or Mint Julep.
What are Cocktail Muddlers Made out of?
Going back, you’ll most commonly find these muddlers are made out of wood. (As you might have expected!) Most recently though, metallic muddlers and ones with polymer elements have been gaining popularity. We’ll explore each type of cocktail muddler in our reviews below, but it is worth explaining why you might find one or the other more appealing.
Steel Cocktail Muddlers
This is objectively the most durable material for a cocktail muddler. It’s virtually impossible to break or even chip if you’re using it for the sole purpose of muddling drink ingredients. It’s also the easiest to clean overall, since it doesn’t take on scents or flavors and usually wipes almost completely clean.
Wooden Cocktail Muddlers
These have a bit more weight to them compared to plastic and stainless steel muddlers. They can most often be found with and without stippled ends for mashing, and typically have a baseball bat like shape to them. Cheaper ones can sometimes stain depending on what ingredients you’re using, but most of them nowadays are entirely food safe and don’t take on flavors or liquids from your ingredients.
Plastic Cocktail Muddlers
This includes any polymer cocktail muddlers like nylon, plastic or silicone. We’re also discussing steel muddlers with plastic heads in this sense. Quite frankly, these have a pretty bad rep if you look back. Now though, they’re almost entirely BPA-free, and much stronger than they used to be. Plastic for many has a reputation for becoming blunt, easily scratched or imbued with citrus fruit juices and herbs.
While there is always a chance of that happening, you still have the benefit of a muddler that will never scratch your glassware. Plus, regular cleaning and using it properly should prevent anything from happening to it.
What is the Best Cocktail Muddler for Bartenders?
We rounded up some of the best cocktail muddler options for hobby and professional bartenders to use to craft amazing drinks. Instead of choosing the best one, we picked a variety of styles – each with the best cocktail muddler in its category. Because we know that crafting drinks is something that’s a bit personal.
If you’re new to bartending you might want to get a few different kinds at first to see what works best for you!
Best Stainless Steel Muddler With Nylon
Hiware 10 Inch Stainless Steel Cocktail Muddler and Mixing Spoon
At 10”, this muddler can reach to the bottom of just about any glass with a gentle enough nylon head for keeping your glassware safe while still thoroughly bringing its contents to life.
This is a two-piece set with an included bar spoon for those who have yet to take advantage of this often overlooked piece of barware. It’s ideal for layering and mixing the perfect drink, while also helping you transfer other ingredients.
This muddler makes a great choice for those who don’t want to have to worry too much about their bar tools. It’s rust proof, and the nylon head is durable, but doesn’t pose a threat to your bar glasses.
Features:
- Rust-proof stainless steel handle.
- BPA-free nylon head.
- Stippled head ideal for macerating fruit for a variety of cocktails.
Best Scratch-Proof Cocktail Muddler
OXO Steel Muddler With Non-Slip Grip and Nylon Head
The OXO muddler embodies everything the brand is known for; exceptional quality and non-slip capability. Needless to say, this piece of barware is absolutely no exception. Like the previous model we’ve reviewed, this one also features a nylon head that will prevent glass surfaces from being scratched.
There’s one overlooked feature about this muddler that makes it stand out besides its attractive design. The narrow body of this muddler allows you to more thoroughly bring out the flavors in herbs and citrus fruits since it can angle easier. It doesn’t sacrifice any stability or force either, though.
The handle features a non-slip grip OXO is almost universally known for, and the surface is a totally dishwasher safe stainless steel and die-cast zinc.
Features:
- OXO’s signature ‘Good Grips’ non-slip handle makes this muddler easy to use.
- Completely dishwasher safe.
- Narrow neck allows you to easily bring out the flavor even in narrower glasses.
All-Stainless Steel Bartender Muddler
VEHHE Stainless Steel Cocktail Muddler
Whether you’re mixing a cocktail or a fresh juice, having the right tools matters. A full-body stainless steel muddler like this one is ideal as an all-around tool, capable of easily crushing citrus fruits, herbs, or other fruits.
The advantage to going all stainless steel here is that you’re using something that’s easier to clean, but also breaks the skin of fruits easier. There is one thing to be aware of however; cheaper glassware can sometimes be prone to scratching and if anything’s going to do it, it’ll be a steel tool like this.
Otherwise, the material helps ensure it’s incredibly easy to clean and it also features a really ergonomic shape that makes it comfortable to hold.
Features:
- All stainless-steel design makes it very easy to clean, as well as dishwasher safe.
- Ergonomic shape makes it fit in the hand well, especially if you’re mixing up lots of mojitos.
- Included bar spoon to add even more versatility to your bar toolset.
Best Wooden Cocktail Muddler and Ice Crusher
EFO Wooden Muddler for Cocktails
This all-wood masher effectively macerates the contents of your cocktails to perfection, all without the tinge of stainless steel or with any plastic materials if that’s your preference!
We’ve reviewed many stainless steel cups, tools and serving ware and found that generally speaking it doesn’t seriously alter the taste of your beverages. It does however change the way you enjoy them, and that’s exactly what a wooden tool like this is good for.
It gives you the feeling of using a more traditional tool for making something like a mojito, while adding a little more weight into each crushing motion. This features a stippled end, much like a meat tenderizer, helping you ground up ingredients fairly easily.
Features:
- Useful for mashing herbs and spices for just about anything.
- Wood creates a natural non-slip grip when it becomes wet.
- Ideal for crushing ice, since there is no chance of the material splitting or breaking into the ice.
Best Bamboo Drink Muddler
11” Professional Bamboo Muddler
This drink muddler is ideal for making cocktails including mojitos and juleps. Many people are concerned with the material of their muddler, as well as other bar tools when alcohol and citrus fruit juices are concerned. They pose a risk of tarnishing the material of the muddler, just like anything, because of the acidic nature of their compounds.
This bamboo muddler can ease some of your worries, since it doesn’t contain any lacquer, coloring, or stain whatsoever. It’s also immune to flaking, and the additional length helps it to maintain its lifespan while still easily and effectively mashing your herbs and fruits.
It comes at 11” in size, allowing it to fit in the tallest cocktail shakers, glasses and cups so that you’re not scuffing your knuckles on the rims of glasses, either.
Features:
- Completely natural materials without any additives that could come out while it’s being used.
- Doesn’t flake or splinter when used properly.
- Isn’t made out of any artificial materials that could otherwise take on flavors or herb scents.
Thanks for checking out our reviews for the best cocktail muddler options for bartenders. These are all ideal for making lots of cocktails, whether it’s at home or in a professional serving environment. Have you used a muddler before? If so, tell us down below what you loved and hated about the ones you’ve used to give other readers a better sense of what to expect out of different kinds of tools!
