Bar spoon

A bar spoon is a long, thin spoon with a twisted or spiral handle, usually 10 to 12 inches long, designed to reach the bottom of a tall mixing glass while staying comfortable to hold and rotate. The small bowl at one end is used for stirring, and the flat or weighted end of the handle is sometimes used for light muddling or layering.

The spiral in the handle is not just decorative, it lets the spoon roll smoothly between the fingers during a stir, which is what produces the fast, even rotation stirred drinks need to chill and dilute properly without the jerky motion of a regular kitchen spoon. Bar spoons are also a rough volume reference, since one is roughly a teaspoon or slightly more.

Look for a spoon long enough for your mixing glass and a bowl shape that sits flush against the glass wall to encourage a smooth spin rather than splashing. Stainless steel is standard for durability and easy cleaning. A common mistake is using a short kitchen spoon for stirring, which forces an awkward grip and makes it much harder to get a clean, controlled stir.