Who hasn’t bruised a finger making a cocktail? It’s one of the occupational hazards of being a bartender. But, there is a right and wrong way to bruise a cocktail. And, if done properly, bruising can add layers of flavor and complexity to your drink.

The key to bruising a cocktail is to use a muddler. A muddler is a wooden tool used to crush or bruise ingredients. It can be purchased at most liquor stores or online.

When bruising …