Strainers are an important tool for creating perfect cocktails. Photo by Martí Sans/Stocksy
Great Strains
Fine mesh, Hawthorne, or Julep: Which should I use?
February 3, 2026 –––––– Brittany Risher Englert
It’s not the end of the world if you don’t own a cocktail strainer. “Don’t take it too seriously. I’ve watched professional bartenders at home parties strain with forks,” says Christoph Dornemann, head bartender at Arnaud’s Restaurant and the French 75 Bar in New Orleans. Still, if you’re regularly shaking and stirring, you’ll likely want to add one to your home mixology supply drawer.
“It’s important to strain drinks to get the ice chips or muddled ingredients out, to make sure the balance of the drink is correct, and to get the right dilution rate,” says Ben Wald, head of beverage programming and spirits specialist for New York City’s Flatiron Room. Here are the three main strainers to consider.
Julep
Originally given to patrons for drinking Juleps before straws became popular, these strainers have larger holes.
PRIMARY PURPOSE: To prevent ice and other solids from entering the glass. “I see more people use it to scoop olives or brandied cherries from jars than for its intended purpose,” Wald says.
USE IT TO CREATE: Drinks stirred in a pint glass. “The Julep is too small for most shaker tins,” Dornemann says.
PRO TIP: A slotted spoon works as an alternative.
Hawthorne
The spring-loaded coil keeps out all the things you don’t want floating in your drink.
PRIMARY PURPOSE: To strain out ice shards
USE IT TO CREATE: Shaken or stirred drinks, including Sours and Old Fashioneds
PRO TIP: Use a slotted spoon if you don’t have a Hawthorne strainer.
Fine Mesh
These small cone-shaped strainers have teeny holes to trap everything but the liquid.
PRIMARY PURPOSE: To keep ice chips and pieces of muddled ingredients out, and create a smooth texture on the surface of the drink.
USE IT TO CREATE: Any shaken cocktail
PRO TIP: In a pinch, use a tea strainer, though it will take longer to drain
Double Duty
If you’re only going to buy one strainer, opt for a 2-in-1 combo fine-mesh Hawthorne strainer. It’s versatile and efficient. If the holes in your strainer are too large, you let through too many ice chips or pulp. If you only use a fine-mesh strainer, your drink takes forever to strain, dilutes more, and it is messy. “Spend the extra $5 to get a quality one. If you buy a $3 strainer, you’re going to keep replacing it more often than a $10 strainer,” says Wald.
