A Cocktail Jigger

Recommend: A Bar Above - Japanese- Style Jigger

If you’re making a cocktail, you must measure. "Free-pouring" looks cool in movies, but it's the fastest way to make an unbalanced, undrinkable mess. An Old Fashioned that’s too sweet or a Manhattan that’s all booze is a waste of good ingredients and good money.

A cocktail jigger is the most important tool for making consistent, delicious cocktails. It’s not about being fussy; it’s about precision. Your favorite cocktail bar measures every single pour, and so should you.

What It Is: A small, two-sided metal measuring cup used for cocktails.

Why You Actually Need It: It’s the only way to guarantee your cocktail ratios are correct. Getting the right balance of spirit (whiskey), sweet (vermouth, sugar), and bitter (bitters) is what separates a great cocktail from a bad one.

How It Makes Your Whiskey Experience Better: It gives you the confidence to make great whiskey cocktails every single time. You’ll stop "guessing" and start knowing why your Old Fashioned tastes just right.

What to Look For:

A "Japanese-style" jigger: Forget the basic 1 oz. / 1.5 oz. cup. Look for a taller, skinnier "Japanese-style" one.

Internal markings: The most important feature. Get a jigger that has etched lines on the inside for 1/4 oz, 1/2 oz, 3/4 oz, 1 oz, 1.5 oz, and 2 oz. This one tool will replace five different measuring cups.

Metal: Just get stainless steel. It’s durable and easy to clean.