Pour measures

In the Netherlands, a shot is 3.5 cl, and most household measuring devices are designed around that amount. Cocktail recipes, on the other hand, often call for 2 cl or 5 cl, while British recipes use 25 or 50 ml. If you are making a menu of classics, a 2 cl and a 5 cl measure will cover almost everything. If you only pour shots, 3.5 cl is sufficient.

You also choose based on how it is attached. A bottle-mounted measure stays on the bottle with a rubber stopper, making it quick to use with your regular bottles. A model with a handle is held separately above the glass, which is convenient when working with different bottles. The version with a collar catches anything that runs over the rim, keeping the bottle dry. If you prefer a double-sided measuring cup that you fill first and then empty, see the jiggers and bar measures.

Press the measure firmly onto the bottle neck, tilt the bottle in one smooth motion until the measuring chamber is full, and then return it to an upright position. With a good mechanism, the valve closes as soon as you stop, so nothing drips onto your bar mat. If you go too quickly, air gets into the chamber and you measure too little. If you go too slowly, product remains in the neck.

Where it really matters is with recipes using equal parts. A negroni consists of three components in the same amount, and half a centiliter too much Campari makes the entire drink bitter. With a daiquiri the ratio is uneven, so you want to be able to measure the lime and sugar separately from the rum.

Plastic measures are light and barely stand out on the neck of a bottle. Metal versions sit more solidly and look better on a bar that is on show, but they do put weight on the bottle neck. On bottles you pick up and set down all evening, that is noticeable.

Sugary liqueurs and syrups leave residue in the mechanism. Rinse the measure through with warm water at the end of every shift and take it apart once a week to let the parts soak. Not every measure is dishwasher safe: heat makes the rubber seal expand, after which it no longer closes properly. Check monthly with a measuring cup that the quantity delivered is still right.

If you're looking for the accompanying tools, the cocktail shakers and the bar spoons are in the next category, along with the strainers and muddlers. If you want to know which measurements a recipe calls for before choosing a jigger, first take a look at the overview of bar tools, which explains what each tool is used for, when to use it and which measurements appear in classic recipes.