Tools of the Trade: Copper Barware

Copper’s elegant aesthetic isn’t its only advantage when it comes to pairing it with liquor. The lustrous metal is also known to purify liquids, which is why old-time moonshiners and modern bourbon makers alike have relied on sulfur-removing copper pipes and stills. “Everything about a copper still imparts characteristics into the spirits, and copper drinkware then carries that over,” says Jonathan Beall of Sertodo Copper, an Austin, Texas–based collaborative specializing in hand-hammered julep cups, Moscow Mule mugs, pitchers, and tumblers. Moreover, an ability to keep drinks colder than most materials do makes copper ideal for an icy tipple. Plus, it looks pretty great on a bar cart. – sertodo.com