Hawthorne Strainer

In the sea of patents, one name emerged victorious: the Hawthorne strainer. Patented in 1892, it was lauded for its adaptability and easy cleaning features.

Confusingly, its name wasn't derived from its inventor, William Wright, or even the Manning, Bowman company which became well known for producing them. The Hawthorne strainer owes its name to a Boston bar, The Hawthorne Café, a link forged through Denny P. Sullivan, who owned the bar and held the rights to Wright’s patent. ​(Tomky, 2016)​

The name "Hawthorne" eventually began to represent a style more than a brand and over time, underwent several design refinements and variations, however, the basic template remains unchanged.

The classic Hawthorne strainer remains the most widely used today and its versatility and ease of use make it a favourite among bartenders. This strainer features a coiled spring around its edge, allowing it to fit snugly into the mixing glass or shaker. The spring also acts as a stabilizing mechanism during pouring. Note that it won’t catch finer particles such as ice shards, fine fruit pulp or herbs. 

Julep Strainer

The julep strainer, with its shallow bowl and perforated design, is ideal for straining stirred cocktails and those served over crushed ice. Although not as commonly found in bars as the Hawthorne, its graceful appearance and historical significance often make it a must-have item for cocktail enthusiasts and serious bartenders.

Fine Mesh Strainer

For drinks that require meticulous filtration, such as those containing fresh herbs or citrus pulp, the fine mesh strainer comes to the rescue. Its ultra-fine mesh effectively captures even the tiniest particles, ensuring a smooth and refined texture. 

Usage and Best Practices

Using a cocktail strainer correctly is vital to achieving a visually appealing and well-balanced cocktail. Here are some best practices for using cocktail strainers:

1. Select the Right Strainer: Choose the appropriate strainer based on the cocktail you're preparing. A Hawthorne strainer is suitable for most shaken drinks, while a julep strainer works well with stirred concoctions. Drinks containing large amounts of fruit pulp or crushed herbs should be double strained (see below).
2. Positioning the Strainer: Place the strainer in the mouth of your tin or mixing glass. Hold the tin between your thumb and middle finger while placing your index finger over the top of the strainer to hold it in place. This should be a one-handed hold to allow you to hold a Fine Mesh Strainer with your other hand.
3. Pouring Smoothly: Tilt the mixing vessel slightly while pouring the cocktail through the strainer to control the flow and prevent splashing.
4. Double Straining (Optional): For drinks that require an extra-smooth texture, consider double straining by placing a fine mesh strainer over the cocktail glass in addition to using the main strainer.