What is the purpose of a jigger in bartending?

The purpose of a jigger in bartending is to measure spirits accurately. A jigger is a tool that allows bartenders to pour precise amounts of alcohol for cocktails and mixed drinks, ensuring consistent flavor and potency. This accuracy is crucial for maintaining the balance of flavors in a drink and for adhering to legal serving sizes. Using a jigger helps bartenders control costs by preventing over-pouring and waste, and it enhances the overall quality of the beverages served.

While garnishing, shaking, and serving drinks are important aspects of bartending, they do not involve the specific function of measuring ingredients, which is the essential role of a jigger. Thus, the jigger stands out as a fundamental tool in ensuring that drinks are crafted according to established recipes and standards.