Strainer
A cocktail strainer is one definitely required piece of equipment for the well outfitted mixologist.

Some types of cocktails shakers include a strainer integrated into their lids, but frankly I try to avoid these. While they do the job, I feel that it takes longer to pour out the drinks, and you end up spending time twirling the shaker around for a while to get out all of the drink.

There are two basic types of cocktail strainers, the Hawthorn Strainer and the Julep Strainer.

Hawthorn Strainer:
This is by far the most common type of cocktail strainer, it has a very unique look to it, with the wire "spring" that encircles the rim. The rolled spring around the edge of the strainer does a fine job of keeping the ice in the shaker but still allowing some of the fruit pulp, and even some small shards of ice into the glass.

Traditionally you will find Hawthorn Strainers with either two or four prongs which stabilize it on the top of the shaker, but you can also find them without any prongs, just an extra wide spring that will do the job.

Julep Strainer:
This strainer can be very hard to find, but it adds a nice touch of class to the process of mixing drinks, as well as having a very specific use behind the bar. It is essentially a single piece of metal, with a round, slightly concave (or is it convex?) surface that is studded with holes much like a simple colander.

Both of these styles of strainers have a specific purpose. When you are using Boston Shaker style of Cocktail Shaker, you will find that the Hawthorn Strainer fits very well in the metal half of the shaker, but it is usually a tight fit on the glass part. The Julep strainer on the other hand is too small for the metal part of the shaker, but fits nicely inside the glass part.

Unlike the Hawthorn Strainer, the Julep Strainer doesn't fit across the top of the container, but instead fits gently within the glass at an angle, it takes a little bit of practice, but works quite well.

Where and What to Buy

At sites like Amazon.com, Cooking.com, and other "normal retail" sites you will probably find the fancier (and more expensive) Hawthorn style strainers, and if you already have a nice utilitarian strainer then these are great to add to your collection. However I highly recommend that you first pick up just a plain ordinary looking strainer, which should cost you $5 or less, and you should be able to find at almost any kitchen store, or even in some supermarkets.

If you are wanting to shop online, then I'd recommend checking out the "Restaurant Supply" stype of shops, which usually focus on the no-frills versions of products, and often offer really great prices. You'll be able to find the Hawthorn strainer at almost all such sites, but the Julep strainer is far more difficult to locate.

Instawares.com
4 Prong Hawthorn Strainer Price: $2.26 (31-Aug-2003)

Julep Strainer Price: $1.47 (31-Aug-2003) Note: image on site shows Julep strainer along with hawthorn strainer and citrus squeezer, but all that is being sold on this link is the julep strainer