The Hawthorne Strainer KORIKO® GUNMETAL BLACK [Cocktail KINGDOM] is a professional cocktail strainer developed in collaboration with bartender Don Lee. Designed for repetitive work behind the bar, it combines a wide body for a stable fit with a tight-coil spring engineered for efficient straining directly from a shaker or mixing glass.
Its heavy-duty 18/8 stainless steel construction and distinctive GUNMETAL BLACK finish make it a premium bar tool for bartenders looking for professional functionality combined with a modern, dark metallic appearance.
KORIKO® – developed in collaboration with Don Lee
The KORIKO® Hawthorne Strainer was developed by Cocktail Kingdom in collaboration with Don Lee, a bartender known for his technical approach and influence on modern bartending.
The design focuses on practical requirements behind a professional bar: stable positioning, efficient straining and reliable performance during repeated use throughout service.
What makes KORIKO® different from a standard Hawthorne Strainer?
The important differences are not purely aesthetic. Cocktail Kingdom places particular emphasis on the geometry of the body and the construction of the spring, two elements that directly influence how the strainer performs on the vessel.
- developed in collaboration with Don Lee;
- wide body for a stable fit;
- tight-coil spring for efficient straining;
- heavy-duty construction for professional use;
- made from 18/8 stainless steel;
- GUNMETAL BLACK finish;
- compatible with several professional Cocktail Kingdom vessels.
Wide body for a stable fit
One of the distinctive characteristics of KORIKO® is its wide body. It provides a generous contact area and helps the strainer sit securely on the vessel during straining.
In a cocktail bar where the same movement may be repeated dozens or hundreds of times throughout a shift, the stability and predictable positioning of a bar tool can contribute to a more efficient workflow.
Tight-coil spring for efficient straining
The spring is one of the most important components of a Hawthorne Strainer. On the KORIKO®, its tight-coil design helps retain ice and solid ingredients inside the vessel while the cocktail is poured.
Depending on the preparation, it helps retain:
- ice cubes;
- ice fragments;
- pieces of fruit;
- herbs;
- other solid ingredients remaining after shaking or mixing.
For very fine pulp, seeds and smaller particles, KORIKO® can be combined with a Fine Strainer.
18/8 stainless steel for professional use
KORIKO® is made from 18/8 stainless steel with a heavy-duty construction designed for professional bar use.
For a bartender, material quality and structural rigidity matter because a strainer is repeatedly handled, rinsed and reused throughout service.
GUNMETAL BLACK finish
The GUNMETAL BLACK version gives the distinctive KORIKO® design a dark, modern metallic appearance. It is particularly suitable for cocktail stations where the visual character of the tools is also part of the bar's presentation.
As this version features a decorative finish, it requires more careful maintenance than a standard stainless steel version.
Compatibility with Cocktail Kingdom barware
An important advantage of the KORIKO® is its integration with the professional Cocktail Kingdom barware system. The manufacturer specifies compatibility with:
- KORIKO® Weighted Shaking Tins;
- LEOPOLD® Weighted Shaking Tins;
- Cocktail Kingdom Mixing Glasses.
This compatibility is particularly useful for bartenders already working with Cocktail Kingdom equipment who want tools designed to work together within the same professional setup.
Can KORIKO® be used with a Mixing Glass?
Yes. Although Hawthorne Strainers are most commonly associated with cocktail shakers, Cocktail Kingdom also specifies KORIKO® for use with its range of Mixing Glasses.
This gives the strainer additional versatility in a professional station and allows the bartender to use the same tool for different preparation methods depending on the vessel and preferred technique.
KORIKO® + Fine Strainer for Double Straining
The tight-coil spring of the KORIKO® provides the primary filtration, but a Hawthorne Strainer and a Fine Strainer perform different functions.
For cocktails containing fresh fruit, citrus, herbs or ingredients that may leave very small particles behind, a Fine Strainer can be held above the serving glass during pouring.
This technique, known as Double Straining, combines the primary filtration provided by KORIKO® with fine-mesh filtration.
Hawthorne Strainer or Fine Strainer?
- KORIKO® Hawthorne Strainer: primarily retains ice and larger solid ingredients;
- Fine Strainer: catches pulp, seeds and finer particles;
- KORIKO® + Fine Strainer: allows Double Straining.
The two tools are therefore complementary and can be used together whenever the desired cocktail texture requires an additional level of filtration.
Which cocktails can it be used for?
KORIKO® can be used for numerous classic and modern cocktails that require straining after shaking or, depending on the technique and vessel, after stirring:
- Daiquiri;
- Margarita;
- Whiskey Sour;
- Cosmopolitan;
- Gimlet;
- Sidecar;
- Espresso Martini;
- Manhattan;
- Martini;
- Signature cocktails.
Why does a professional strainer matter during service?
The difference between Hawthorne Strainers is not limited to appearance. Body width, spring density, stability on the vessel and structural rigidity all influence how the tool performs during repeated use.
KORIKO® stands out through this combination: a design developed for professional bartenders, a wide body and a tight-coil spring integrated into a heavy-duty tool intended for intensive use.
Care of the GUNMETAL BLACK finish
To help protect the GUNMETAL BLACK finish, hand washing with water and liquid detergent is recommended.
Do not clean in a dishwasher and avoid abrasive sponges or aggressive cleaning products. After washing, rinse thoroughly and dry with a soft cloth.
Pay particular attention to the spring, where small pieces of fruit, herbs or other ingredients can become trapped. Rinsing immediately after use makes cleaning easier and helps maintain the tool correctly.
Ideal for
- professional bartenders;
- cocktail bars;
- restaurants and bistros;
- hotels and hospitality venues;
- high-volume bars;
- events and catering;
- bartending schools and training;
- premium Home Bars.
Key features
- Brand: Cocktail Kingdom
- Model: KORIKO®
- Developed in collaboration with: Don Lee
- Type: Hawthorne Strainer
- Category: Cocktail Strainer
- Material: 18/8 stainless steel
- Construction: heavy-duty
- Design: wide body
- Straining system: tight-coil spring
- Colour / finish: GUNMETAL BLACK
- Compatible with: KORIKO® and LEOPOLD® Shaking Tins
- Compatible with: Cocktail Kingdom Mixing Glasses
- With Fine Strainer: Double Straining
- Care: hand wash only
Frequently Asked Questions
Who developed the KORIKO® Hawthorne Strainer?
The model was developed by Cocktail Kingdom in collaboration with bartender Don Lee, with a focus on the requirements of professional bar use.
What is the advantage of the tight-coil spring?
The tight-coil spring helps provide efficient straining while retaining ice and solid ingredients as the cocktail is poured from a shaker or mixing glass.
Is it compatible with KORIKO® Shaking Tins?
Yes. Cocktail Kingdom specifies compatibility with KORIKO® Weighted Shaking Tins as well as LEOPOLD® Weighted Shaking Tins.
Can it be used with a Mixing Glass?
Yes. The manufacturer specifies compatibility with the Cocktail Kingdom range of Mixing Glasses.
Do I also need a Fine Strainer?
Not for every drink. For pulp, seeds and very fine particles, a Fine Strainer can be added for Double Straining.
What does Double Straining mean?
It means filtering the cocktail through a Hawthorne Strainer and a Fine Strainer during the same pour, helping retain both larger ingredients and finer particles.
Is the GUNMETAL BLACK version dishwasher safe?
No. Hand washing is recommended to help protect the finish. Avoid abrasive cleaning materials and dry the strainer with a soft cloth after washing.