What You Need to Know About Muddlers

A muddler is a wooden, bamboo, stone, or metal baton with a blunt end used to lightly bruise and crush herbs, fruit, and sugar against the sides of a mixing glass or tin. It should be long enough to reach the bottom of even tall vessels. Muddling releases fresh ingredients’ flavors and aromas, but it is important to not to over-muddle. Doing so not only damages delicate ingredients like mint and basil visually but can release bitter compounds that muck up a drink. Muddling mint is a crucial step in making a Mojito or a Mint Julep.