Post #593140 by Brandomoai on Fri, Jun 10, 2011 9:39 AM

As I understand it, when the old DTBC recipes say "blend for 5 seconds", they mean a top mixer. When you compare them side-by-side, there's a big difference between the vintage and reproduction Hamilton Beach top mixers. However, the last time I saw a vintage one in these here parts, they were asking $85 for it at an antique mall, whereas I paid $5.99 for the newer, vintage-looking mint green one at a thrift store and I really think it works fine for now. I would love to invest in a vintage one, but I really don't think it's necessary for the home bartender. Every blender I've ever used was useless at crushing ice, so I use a hand-cranked ice crusher or electric ice shaver with the top mixer way more often than I ever pull out the blender. However, the blender is still necessary for solid ingredients like pineapple or frozen fruit in slushy, pina colada/daiquiri/margarita-type drinks. I would still use pre-shaved ice instead of whole cubes for a better texture. So, the crux of my argument is blender and top mixer are must-haves, immersion blender is more handy in the kitchen than in the bar. And you'll need an ice shaver and ice crusher, or something that does both. Hope you have a lot of room behind your bar! I'm running out of space...