Cocoa Pod Barspoon

A Cocoa Pod for a Connoisseur :

Custom Mixology Spoon Commission

Mixology Enthusiast

My client approached me to design a very special custom gift for her brother-in-law- a home mixology enthusiast with a particular love for Martinis.

Having seen my handcrafted brass bar spoons, she wanted to commission one that was completely unique - something personal, refined, and rooted in Caribbean craftsmanship.

Her brother-in-law lives on a cocoa plantation in Trinidad, so my client decided the spoon would feature a cocoa pod mounted at the end of the handle - a subtle but meaningful symbol of where he lives and what he loves.

Not Just A Bar Tool

Each mixology spoon in my collection is a one-of-a-kind piece, designed for those who take their cocktails and their hosting seriously.

Handmade in brass - chosen for its antimicrobial properties - the spoons feature elegantly elongated, hand-twisted handles for layering drinks with precision, topped with motifs inspired by Bajan icons like the trident and sugarcane.

They’re not only bar tools; they’re collector’s items for connoisseurs who believe that details matter.

Mixologist Tested & Approved

Before starting the cocoa pod design, I lent my Trident Barspoon to local celebrity, female mixologist Rhea Cox, for her professional feedback.

She immediately praised the balance and weight of the spoon - and loved how the trident doubled as a tiny fork for scooping garnishes. Her suggestions: to introduce a gentle curve in the spoon for smoother mixing; and to tighten the twist in the shaft of the spoon.

So, armed with her insights, I refined the spoon’s profile - adding more twist and that elegant curve, carefully adjusting the bowl to hold exactly 5ml of liquid.

Crafting The Cocoa Pod

Then came the real challenge: crafting the cocoa pod.

Cocoa pods are full of character - no two are ever alike. They’re beautifully irregular, deeply ridged, and full of subtle undulations. I began by studying their natural forms and sketching out the structure.

My first templates were cut from paper before moving into copper sheet, which I hammered into shape to test the strength and curvature.

Shaping The Brass

Once satisfied, I moved into brass.

Each segment was hand-formed, first with punches to raise the central ridges, then gently hammered with a domed hammer to bring the curved pieces together.

The process required patience - sawing, filing, and adjusting millimetre by millimetre to ensure each join was tight enough to solder securely. I even left small air holes in the piece to prevent any pressure build-up when soldering.

This actually took two attempts- the first one I could not get the overall curve I wanted and so I had to start again from scratch and adjust my method until I was happy.

The Finial Details

The spoon’s handle was tapered and inserted into the base of the pod for strength before I carefully hammered the pod closed around it, allowing the handle to form the natural tip.

Dozens of solder joins, hours of planishing, and a slow, meticulous clean-up later - the final form emerged.