This relatively simple device mimics a household spoon in concept but has a long handle in order to stir cocktails in large tumblers such as the collins glass. Some handles are smooth while other bar spoons use a twisted handle making it easy to spin the spoon between your fingers while stirring.

The spoon can be used to layer pousse-café style shooters using the back of the spoon. The spoon, itself, typically holds about one teaspoon of contents. The bar spoon comes in handy when a drink calls to be “stirred” not “shaken.”