What's a barspoon hold?

[JAZ]

I own two barspoons -- one is the standard twisty-handled sort with the red knob on the end of the handle, another is Rosle's stainless, very beautiful but not very standard. The twisty one holds just under a teaspoon and a half; the Rosle doesn't even hold a teaspoon.

Here's the question: in lots of old cocktail books, a "barspoon" is used as a standard measurement, just as a "wineglass" is. But just how much liquid does a "barspoon" hold? Is it a really a measured amount, or is it shorthand for "a little bit"? Is a teaspoon a reasonable guess? Does it matter?

[srhcb]

A bar spoon holds a teaspoon.

SB (it just does it with a longer handle)

[JAZ]

Maybe it's supposed to hold a teaspoon -- but in fact, all barspoons don't hold the same amount of liquid, which is what my point was. One of mine holds quite a bit more; one quite a bit less. It's that fact that led me to ask my question.

So if they're all supposed to hold a teaspoon, then why don't they?

[srhcb]

Maybe it's supposed to hold a teaspoon -- but in fact, all barspoons don't hold the same amount of liquid, which is what my point was. One of mine holds quite a bit more; one quite a bit less. It's that fact that led me to ask my question.

So if they're all supposed to hold a teaspoon, then why don't they?

←

I understand that "bar spoon", (two words), is the generic name for any long handled spoon a bartender would use to assemble and stir drinks.

The "barspoon", (one word), when referred to as a liquid measure, traditionally held 5 milliliters, or a teaspoon. This terminology isn't used much any more.

SB (hasn't tended bar for quite a while though .... )