ask any bartender, and they’ll tell you that when it comes to making cocktails professionally, consistency is key across the board. This applies to a variety of factors—think consistently fresh and high-quality ingredients, presentation, and the like—but perhaps most important of all is measurement.
Sure, bartending at home is a more casual endeavor, but if you want to nail your drink recipes, you’ll want to invest in a good jigger. We recommend the Cocktail Kingdom Leopold Jigger as an attractive and functional option.
“For a utility at-home jigger, I’ve always preferred the Leopold [design] from Cocktail Kingdom,” says Alex Jump, head bartender of iconic bar Death & Co.’s Denver location. “All of the measurements [are] in one tool so you don’t have to worry about getting a bunch of tools dirty. Bonus: they look really pretty, and I really like the weighted feeling they have.”
Cocktail Kingdom offers their signature Leopold jiggers in two sizes and a number of different finishes. A one-ounce/two-ounce jigger is the go-to for many bartenders, so we’d recommend opting for the 30-milliliter/60-milliliter size.
The Japanese jigger straightforward one-ounce/two-ounce Japanese-style jigger is a combination of aesthetically pleasing design, durability, and affordability, which is everything any novice home bartender could ask for.
Choose from a variety of different finishes, or buy a few different ones to see what you like best. These jiggers are dishwasher-safe and feature interior measurement markings in addition to a rolled top on both sides, which helps to prevent spills and drips.
For lovers of both form and function, the super-slim mid century-inspired Piña jigger ticks all the boxes. “It’s very accurate because of the super narrow base, and it’s very comfortable to use,” says Washington, D.C. bartender Justin Golash of the sleek design. This jigger features exterior measurement markers with corresponding lines on the inside walls, so you’ll always have a handle on even the smallest pours.