The Hawthorne Strainer CALABRESE® [UrbanBAR] is a professional cocktail strainer developed by Urban Bar with Salvatore “The Maestro” Calabrese. Its no-prong construction, metal spring and integrated handle divot are functional details designed to help provide stable positioning on the shaker and better control during pouring.

Made from high-grade 18/8 Japanese stainless steel with a thickness of 0.9 mm, CALABRESE® is a premium choice for bartenders looking for more than a conventional Hawthorne Strainer: professional materials, practical ergonomics and details developed for real work behind the bar.

Created with Salvatore “The Maestro” Calabrese

The name CALABRESE® is more than simply a model designation. Urban Bar developed this Hawthorne Strainer with Salvatore “The Maestro” Calabrese, one of the internationally recognised names in professional bartending.

The professional experience behind the collection is reflected in its focus on precision, speed and control. Rather than relying solely on appearance, CALABRESE® incorporates functional details intended for practical use in a professional cocktail station.

What makes CALABRESE® different from a conventional Hawthorne Strainer?

At first glance, the purpose is familiar: straining a cocktail directly from the shaker. The differences become more interesting when looking at the construction of the tool.

• no-prong design with a clean profile;
• metal spring for retaining ice and solid ingredients;
• integrated handle divot designed to help the strainer sit on the shaker rim;
• high-grade 18/8 Japanese stainless steel;
• 0.9 mm material thickness;
• construction intended for professional bar use;
• compatible with Double Straining technique when combined with a Fine Strainer.

No-prong design – more than an aesthetic choice

CALABRESE® features a no-prong design, without the projecting tabs or prongs found on many conventional Hawthorne Strainers. The result is a clean and compact profile suited to a professional station where tools need to be handled efficiently.

This distinctive construction is also one of the visual characteristics that separates the CALABRESE® model from more traditional Hawthorne Strainers.

Integrated handle divot for positioning

An important feature of the design is the divot integrated into the handle. It is designed to help the strainer rest and remain positioned on the rim of the shaker during pouring.

It may appear to be a small detail, but in a professional bar, stability, control and the ability to repeat the same movement efficiently throughout service can make a practical difference.

High-grade 18/8 Japanese stainless steel

CALABRESE® is manufactured from high-grade 18/8 Japanese stainless steel. The material provides good corrosion resistance and is suitable for the demanding environment of a professional bar station.

The body has a material thickness of approximately 0.9 mm, providing a solid construction without making the strainer unnecessarily bulky.

How does the spring of a Hawthorne Strainer work?

The metal spring forms the primary filtering area. When CALABRESE® is positioned on the shaker, it helps keep ice and solid ingredients inside while the cocktail is poured into the serving glass.

It can help retain:

• ice cubes;
• larger ice fragments;
• pieces of fruit;
• herbs;
• solid ingredients remaining after shaking.

Very small particles such as fine pulp, seeds or small ice shards may require an additional Fine Strainer.

Pour control in a professional cocktail station

A good Hawthorne Strainer should do more than simply hold back ice. It should allow the bartender to control the pour and work efficiently when preparing multiple drinks throughout service.

The combination of the CALABRESE® shape, metal spring and handle divot is designed around this type of use: stable positioning, control and efficient movements behind the bar.

CALABRESE® + Fine Strainer for Double Straining

When a cocktail contains fresh citrus, fruit, herbs or other ingredients that leave fine particles behind, CALABRESE® can be combined with a Fine Strainer.

This technique is known as Double Straining. The Hawthorne Strainer performs the primary filtration directly on the shaker, while the Fine Strainer held above the serving glass catches smaller particles that pass through the first stage.

When is Double Straining useful?

Not every cocktail requires two strainers. If the main objective is simply to retain ice cubes and larger solid ingredients, a Hawthorne Strainer is often sufficient.

Double Straining becomes useful when the bartender wants to reduce the amount of fruit pulp, seeds, herb fragments or fine ice particles reaching the finished drink.

Which cocktails can CALABRESE® be used for?

CALABRESE® can be used for numerous cocktails prepared by shaking and strained before serving. Depending on the recipe and technique, examples include:

• Daiquiri;
• Margarita;
• Whiskey Sour;
• Cosmopolitan;
• Gimlet;
• Sidecar;
• Espresso Martini;
• Signature cocktails.

The choice between a single strain and Double Straining should depend on the ingredients and the desired final texture.

Hawthorne Strainer vs Fine Strainer

A Hawthorne Strainer and a Fine Strainer are complementary tools rather than two names for the same type of strainer.

• Hawthorne Strainer: primary filtration directly from the shaker, retaining ice and larger ingredients;
• Fine Strainer: fine mesh for pulp, seeds and smaller particles;
• Hawthorne + Fine Strainer: Double Straining.

In a well-equipped professional cocktail station, both can perform a distinct role.

Hawthorne Strainer vs Julep Strainer

A Julep Strainer does not use a spring and instead features a perforated, spoon-shaped body. It is commonly associated with cocktails prepared by stirring in a mixing glass.

A Hawthorne Strainer is primarily used for cocktails strained from a shaker. The appropriate tool depends on the vessel, preparation technique and bartender's preferred working method.

Part of the Urban Bar CALABRESE® range

The Hawthorne Strainer is part of the CALABRESE® range developed by Urban Bar with Salvatore Calabrese. Bartenders looking to build a coordinated station can combine it with other tools from the same family, including the CALABRESE Shaker.

The advantage is not limited to a coordinated appearance: the range is built around professional bartending and the practical requirements of working behind the bar.

Who is CALABRESE® for?

This model is particularly relevant for users looking for a professional Hawthorne Strainer who pay attention to both material quality and functional construction details.

• professional bartenders;
• cocktail bars;
• restaurants and bistros;
• hotels and hospitality venues;
• events and catering;
• bartending schools and training;
• mixology enthusiasts;
• premium Home Bars.

Cleaning and maintenance

Urban Bar specifies the standard stainless steel version as dishwasher safe. For regular professional use, however, the spring should still be checked and rinsed thoroughly, as pieces of fruit, herbs and other ingredients can remain trapped between the coils.

When washing by hand, use water and liquid detergent. Avoid unnecessarily stretching or deforming the spring and avoid abrasive materials that could scratch the surface.

Key features

• Brand: Urban Bar
• Range / model: CALABRESE®
• Developed with: Salvatore “The Maestro” Calabrese
• Type: Hawthorne Strainer
• Category: Cocktail Strainer
• Design: no-prong
• Material: high-grade 18/8 Japanese stainless steel
• Material thickness: 0.9 mm
• Straining system: metal spring
• Functional detail: integrated handle divot for positioning on the shaker
• Primary use: straining cocktails directly from a shaker
• With Fine Strainer: Double Straining
• Care: dishwasher safe according to Urban Bar

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Salvatore “The Maestro” Calabrese?
Salvatore Calabrese is an internationally recognised Italian bartender. Urban Bar developed the CALABRESE® range with him, incorporating his professional bartending experience into the design of the tools.

What does no-prong design mean?
It means the strainer does not use the projecting prongs or tabs found on many Hawthorne Strainers, resulting in a cleaner and more compact profile.

What is the handle divot for?
It is designed to help the strainer rest and remain positioned on the rim of the shaker during pouring.

What is the CALABRESE® Hawthorne Strainer made from?
Urban Bar specifies high-grade 18/8 Japanese stainless steel with a material thickness of 0.9 mm.

Do I also need a Fine Strainer?
Not for every cocktail. The Hawthorne Strainer retains ice and larger ingredients. A Fine Strainer can be added when pulp, seeds and finer particles also need to be removed.

What does Double Straining mean?
It means filtering the cocktail through a Hawthorne Strainer and a Fine Strainer during the same pour, providing two successive levels of filtration.

Can it be used with a CALABRESE Shaker?
Yes. Urban Bar specifies the CALABRESE Hawthorne Strainer for use with the CALABRESE Shaker as well as cocktail shakers more generally.

Is it dishwasher safe?
Yes. Urban Bar specifies the standard stainless steel version as dishwasher safe. The spring should still be rinsed and checked carefully after use to remove any trapped residue.