For the Kitchen: Muddlers from Baton Rouge shops

Muddlers from left: Sur La Table, Studio C, Red Onion and Studio C (final two).

I learned the importance of having a muddler in your home bar when I made mojitos once for a party. It’s not enough to just drop a sprig of mint in the glass as a garnish at the end. The drink starts with citrus and aromatic mint leaves. You have to pound and twist, pound and twist those ingredients at the bottom of the glass (with a little sugar, too) to release that perfect combination of flavors and essential oils that will stand up against the rum.

Now that we’ve left summery cocktails behind in favor of fall’s distinctive flavors, the muddler is still just as necessary. We’re talking about comforting Old Fashioneds with muddled orange and cherries, brandy with muddled apples and cranberries or gin-based cocktails with muddled rosemary or sage.

It all requires a firm hand and a great muddler. A word of warning for wooden muddlers, though: Care for them the same as you would a quality wood cutting board. Don’t put them in the dishwasher, and occasionally rub them down with mineral oil or olive oil to maintain the finish.

Items listed below in order from left to right in the picture: 

Maple muddler from Sur La Table

It’s simple and sturdy and gets the job done. Sur La Table also carries steel muddlers with a grooved nylon head to grind away at citrus and herbs.

$15
surlatable.com

Roost star-tipped wooden muddler from Studio C

The unique edges can help you tear into tough citrus fruits. Studio C offers two other versions with different shaped tips, each with its own distinct purpose.

$16
studiocbr.com

Roost Aldo marble citrus reamer from Red Onion

Use it for extracting more juice from the citrus, but avoid pounding it into glass—it’s made of marble, after all. Consider it an aid to the muddling process.

$47
redonionbr.com

AHeirloom maple and walnut muddlers from Studio C

These beauties are reinforced with Corian tips, grooved on one end, so they can stand up to repeated abuse. The handles come either smooth or with a ridge for an easier grip.

$24.50 each
studiocbr.com