A silver plate cocktail strainer made by Martini. This is perhaps one of the 'essential' bar tools for any home bar, or professional bar. The traditional cocktail strainer comes in two forms; The Julep strainer and this, the Hawthorne strainer.

The julep strainer is shaped like a bowl with a handle, and will fit tightly into a mixing glass or shaker when inserted at the proper angle. Liquid passes through holes or slits in the bowl.  The Hawthorne strainer has a rim with a handle and two or more stabilizing feet. A metal spring, or coil, is fixed around the edge of the rim and rolls inward to fit inside the glass. The rim of the strainer does not need to touch the rim of the glass in this style of strainer, as the spring inside filters out the ice. The spring acts as another way to strain the drink and allowing for more control. Atop the strainer is a tab with which you can push the strainer over the edge of the vessel containing your cocktail to be strained; engaging the double strain function.

The julep strainer came first, but it was not the perfect tool for all cocktail requirements. So, bar owner Nathaniel Hawthorne, in his Boston bar, patented the tool to provide a different and better strain for cocktails. It was modeled on Chinese tea strainers, however the easily removable and cleanable coil did most of the straining work. As ice in drinks rose in both popularity and availability across the country, the Hawthorne strainer, with its superior straining capabilities, became the weapon of choice for bartenders across the globe.

However, the Hawthorne strainer was not actually named so until a few decades ago, and before was simply called a “cocktail strainer”. Originally the name Hawthorne was stamped into the Hawthorne strainer, but this practice dropped off after some years. Some vintage examples still bear his name. The head plate, or rim, can come with a variety of perforations and slots in it. This is where, in the example, the 'Martini' name is stamped. 

These Hawthorne cocktail strainers have remained largely unchanged since its conception. Some may use a tighter spring, some have more or less holes, some rearrange these holes, some have longer handles. This one is perhaps the perfect size for conventional Martini and cocktail use. The handle is also engraved with the Martini logo. It is not marked with any other maker or country of origin. The perfect way to make your Martini's at home. European made, circa  1930's.