Product Review: Arctic Chill Stainless Cocktail Muddler
I received a great little gift idea for the hostess or cocktail lover on your shopping list! A few weeks back I was contacted by Rizzi at Artic Chill to do a review for their Cocktail Muddler. I took a quick look at the product on their website and knew instantly this would not be just another gadget cluttering up my kitchen drawer, but one very useful and uniquely designed tool. The Arctic Chill’s muddler is made from stainless steel and features a grooved nylon head.
In my home, mixed cocktails are pretty much limited to dinner and holiday party entertaining when I like to offer a festive cocktail for the occassion. On a more daily basis, we love to make tea using fresh herbs, such as mint, rosemary or basil. So to test out this product, we made a cranberry, mint and ginger tea.
When muddling, you want to crush the cranberries and ginger yet gently bruise the herbs to release the flavor. The grooved rubber end worked so much better than the wooden dowel we normally use and the handle is sturdy with a comfortable grip. To continue to prepare the infused tea, bring water to just a boil and pour about 1 cup water over approximately 1 tablespoon of crushed fresh herbs, a 3-4 crushed cranberries and a small chunk of ginger per serving and let steep for 5-7 minutes. The portions you use and the allowed time to steep can vary depending on your taste.
After steeping, pour the tea through a strainer and discard the herbs. We have these cute tea cups with an infuser and lid; however, using a french press is another way to muddle the herbs in the beaker, allow to steep and then gently press down the plunger to separate the herbs and hold them at the bottom.
So good…but now I’m thinking it’s time to test muddle a mojito!
spicegirlfla
I love being in the kitchen. Early mornings, soft music, a hot espresso. Easing into the preparation of delicious meals. Glancing through cookbooks, gathering inspiration and planning my day. I look forward to the cycles of the seasons, the pleasures of tasting and savoring and sharing this with those dear to me. Weekends are special to me as my week days are often rushed, but still I create the ambiance, light the candles, set the table and uncork the wine.
10 Comments
Caroline
What an awesome little tool, I love it! And that tea sounds amaaazing!
Jovina Coughlin
That was neat. I didn’t know there was such a gadget.
Mad Dog
I bet that will be handy for Christmas 🙂
Hotly Spiced
I do like the idea of ‘muddling’. It has a good ring to it. That’s a great gadget for a Christmas stocking xx
ChgoJohn
Having worked in a bar, I’ve still a few bartender friends. I doubt any of them have a muddler nearly as nice as this one, Judy. This is the perfect gift for someone who “has everything.”
Choc Chip Uru
What an awesome Christmas gadget 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef
I always use a wooden stick thing in my utensil drawer. I think it’s the pusher for my juicer but it muddled just fine until I just read I could have an official muddler. 🙂
Kelly @ Inspired Edibles
did you say mojito? :D. Actually I love the sounds of your cranberry mint ginger tea, especially this time of year. It looks beautiful too and I can just imagine how fragrant it must be. What I’m trying to figure out is the difference between a muddler and a pestle. The cocktail muddler is maybe a lighter tool?
spicegirlfla
Hi Kelly, Good question! I had never thought to use my pestle to muddle a drink but, maybe it could work. However, the muddler is lighter and longer to fit into a glass and with the textured rubber end it would be safer in a glass so as not to accidently break the glass while muddling. Also, my pestle is made of stone and I’ve used it so much with garlic that I don’t think it would flavor a cocktail very nicely!
David
The rubber end makes such good sense. No damage to glassware!