Strainer Hawthorne

The shaker has just rattled ice, fruit juice and spirit together into a frothy cocktail, and now it all needs to be strained free of ice cubes and pulp. That is the job of a Hawthorne Strainer, the coiled-spring strainer you will find behind almost every professional bar.

The Expert's Description

A Hawthorne Strainer is a cocktail strainer with a flat metal disc and a coiled spring around the edge, designed to sit on top of a shaker and hold back ice and fruit pieces as the drink is poured out.

The spring makes the Hawthorne strainer well suited to shaken drinks with citrus, fruit purée or egg white, where you want a tighter strain than the perforated julep style offers. The two prongs on the disc lock it onto the rim of the shaker, so you can pour with one hand while the other holds the glass.

Design & Material

The flat disc with its spring is shaped to follow the curve of a Boston shaker or a standard cocktail shaker, and the two metal arms keep the strainer securely in place throughout the pour without slipping.

Use & Care

Place the strainer on the rim of the shaker with the spring facing down, hold it in place with your index finger, and pour the drink out in a steady flow. Rinse it thoroughly after use, especially the spring, where fruit pulp and ice easily get caught, and let it air-dry.

Specifications

Name: Hawthorne Strainer

Did You Know?

The name Hawthorne comes from the Hawthorne Café in Boston, where this style of strainer is said to have been used as far back as the late 1800s - making it one of the oldest bar tools that still looks largely the same today.

Shaking a classic cocktail? See our range of Gin for inspiration for your next Gin Fizz.

See our full range of Barudstyr, or browse our Cocktails range.

Frequently Asked Questions about Hawthorne Strainer

What is the difference between a Hawthorne Strainer and a Vintage Strainer?

The Hawthorne strainer has a coiled spring and prongs that lock it onto a shaker, while the Vintage Strainer is a perforated bowl for a mixing glass. The Hawthorne strainer is therefore the natural choice for shaken drinks.

Which cocktails suit a Hawthorne Strainer best?

Shaken drinks with fruit juice, syrup or egg white, such as a Whiskey Sour or a Gin Fizz, where the spring catches pulp and finer particles.

How do I clean the spring on the strainer?

Rinse it thoroughly under running water right after use, and gently roll the spring between your fingers to remove any pulp before letting it air-dry.

Does the strainer fit all shakers?

It is designed to sit on the rim of a standard cocktail shaker or a Boston shaker and fits most common sizes.

Can it be used with a fine strainer for double straining?

Yes, many bartenders pair a Hawthorne Strainer with a fine strainer when the drink needs to be completely free of ice shards and small particles.

Where can I find more to style my home bar?

Take a look at our range of Gin, the base for many of the shaken cocktail classics.