A cocktail strainer holds back ice, fruit and herbs as a drink goes into the glass. A Hawthorne strainer has a spring and fits over a shaker. A julep strainer is a bowl with holes that sits in a mixing glass, and a fine mesh cone catches small bits.
The six strainers below cover all three types. Sizes and materials come from each product’s listing page. We have not used these strainers ourselves. Quality claims are the makers’ own.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Type | Hawthorne for shakers, julep for mixing glasses, mesh for double straining |
| Spring | A tight coil holds back ice and pulp |
| Material | Stainless steel resists rust |
| Fit | It should sit snugly on your shaker or glass |
Specs at a Glance
| Strainer | Type | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| OXO Steel | Hawthorne style | 7.8 x 4.4 x 1.4 in | Raised lip; non-slip finger rest |
| Winco 4 prong | Bar strainer | 6 x 4.63 x 0.88 in | Stainless steel; four prongs |
| A Bar Above Hawthorne | Hawthorne | 5.59 x 4.29 x 1.54 in | 304 stainless; tight spring; dishwasher safe |
| A Bar Above fine mesh | Conical mesh | 11 x 4.8 x 4.1 in | Double straining; 304 stainless; welded frame |
| Crafthouse julep | Julep | 6.25 x 1 x 3.75 in | Crimped handle; heavy gauge stainless |
| Barfly spring | Spring strainer | 6 x 3.75 x 1.5 in | Heavy gauge stainless; 6 in |
The 6 Best Cocktail Strainers
1. OXO Steel Cocktail Strainer
A 7.8 inch stainless steel strainer with a raised lip that the maker says stops liquid dripping, a short handle for storage and a soft non-slip finger rest. It fits in shakers or glasses.
Suits: a home bar kit. Strengths: a comfortable finger rest. Weaknesses: the listing gives little on the spring. Skip it if you want a mesh.
View OXO Steel Cocktail Strainer on Amazon
2. Winco Bar Stainless Steel Strainer, 4 Prongs
A stainless steel strainer with a polished finish and four prongs for stable placement on the glass. The maker says it removes ice and solids and suits both professional bars and home use.
Suits: a no-frills bar strainer. Strengths: four prongs and steel. Weaknesses: very sparse listing detail. Skip it if you want a fine filter.
View Winco Bar Stainless Steel Strainer, 4 Prongs on Amazon
3. A Bar Above Premium Hawthorne Strainer
A 304 stainless steel Hawthorne with a high density spring. The maker says it fits standard Boston shakers, mixing glasses and pint glasses, and that it is dishwasher safe.
Suits: Boston shakers. Strengths: a tight spring and an ergonomic shape. Weaknesses: the maker’s claims are not checked here. Skip it if you shake in a small tin.
View A Bar Above Premium Hawthorne Strainer, Stainless Steel High Density Spring on Amazon
4. A Bar Above Fine Mesh Cocktail Strainer
A conical sieve in 304 stainless steel with welded joins, made for double straining seeds, pulp and herbs. The listing says it also works for tea, coffee and syrups, and is dishwasher safe.
Suits: double straining. Strengths: fine mesh and extra uses. Weaknesses: the cone needs room over the glass. Skip it if you only want ice held back.
View A Bar Above Fine Mesh Cocktail Strainer, 304 Conical Sieve, Silver Finish on Amazon
5. Crafthouse Julep Strainer
A 6 inch julep strainer designed by Charles Joly. The listing describes an oval shape for a mixing glass, a handle crimp that guides it along the glass edge and heavy gauge stainless steel, and it is dishwasher safe.
Suits: stirred drinks in a mixing glass. Strengths: a classic julep shape. Weaknesses: it does not fit over a shaker tin. Skip it if you shake your drinks.
6. Barfly Heavy Duty Spring Bar Strainer
A 6 inch heavy gauge stainless steel spring strainer made to fit most shakers and mixing glasses. The maker recommends hand washing with mild soap and avoiding bleach, though it says the steel is dishwasher safe.
Suits: a sturdy spring strainer. Strengths: heavy gauge steel. Weaknesses: hand washing is advised. Skip it if you want a mesh screen.
View Barfly Heavy Duty Spring Bar Strainer, Stainless Steel on Amazon
Care and Setup
- Wash by hand with mild soap if the maker advises it.
- Dry the spring so no moisture stays in the coil.
- Avoid bleach where the listing warns against it.
- Store flat so the spring keeps its shape.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Using a julep strainer on a shaker tin.
- Skipping a fine mesh for pulpy drinks.
- Letting citrus dry inside the spring.
- Buying a size that does not fit your glass.
Cocktail Strainer FAQ
What is double straining?
It means pouring through a Hawthorne and a fine mesh at once to catch small pieces.
Which type fits a shaker?
A Hawthorne strainer, such as the OXO, A Bar Above or Barfly.
The Short Version
For a home kit, the OXO. For basic steel, the Winco. For a tight spring, the A Bar Above Hawthorne. For double straining, the fine mesh. For stirred drinks, the Crafthouse julep. For heavy gauge steel, the Barfly.
