Stocking Your Home Bar: The Tools
As with any craft, having the right tools will set you up for success. Fortunately, you don't have to spend a lot of money on tools to make great cocktails. You even may have things on hand that will do the job already.
I've put together a guide on what barware and cocktail equipment you should consider getting to get started home bartending or up your cocktail-making game.
Don't worry, none of these tools are expensive or hard to find. Try Amazon or a barware store like Cocktail Kingdom.
Shaker
Having a cocktail shaker is a must. You typically use a shaker to combine, chill and aerate your cocktail ingredients. There are a few varieties of shakers to choose from but the most common ones are the Cobbler Shaker and the Boston Shaker.
Cobbler Shaker
Cobbler Shakers are made up of 3 pieces: a metal tin, a built-in strainer, and a cap. They are easy to use and include a built-in strainer, which makes them great for people new to making cocktails. A couple of negatives though is that some of them tend to leak and the lids can get stuck.
Boston Shaker
The other popular option for shakers is the Boston Shaker, which is made of 2 pieces: two metal tins or a metal tin and a glass. You’ve probably seen bartenders using them - they are what a lot of professional bartenders use.
Unlike the Cobbler Shaker, this kind of shaker does not come with a built-in strainer so you would need to buy a separate strainer (see next section).
Strainers
Hawthorne Strainer
If you are using a Boston Shaker, you will need a Hawthorne Strainer. It’s probably not bad to have one if you use a Cobbler shaker either. This type of strainer has a spring underneath that prevents ice and other solids you don’t want from getting into the glass as you pour it out of the shaker.
Julep Strainer
Back in the day, people used julep strainers when drinking Mint Juleps to keep the ice and mint from getting all in their face. Nowadays, julep strainers are most often used for straining stirred cocktails from mixing glasses. It’s a tool that’s nice to have but not really necessary. Honestly, you could always just use a Hawthorne strainer.
Fine-mesh Cocktail Strainer
Fine-mesh strainers are used to double-strain your cocktails. This keeps little pieces of ice or fruit or whatever from floating around in your drink. Another tool that's nice to have but not really necessary.
Citrus Juicer
Fresh juice is always better. Stay away from those store-bought lime and lemon juices with all the preservatives. Get yourself a juicer and juice your own citrus. It really makes your drinks so much better.
Mixing Glass
To make stirred drinks, you will need a mixing glass. You can buy a fancy mixing glass, a pint glass, a beaker, or whatever type of glass that is solid and has a wide bottom. As long as you can stir in it without it falling over, you're good.
Bar spoon
A bar spoon is just a long spoon used for stirred cocktails. You’re going to need one to properly stir cocktails.
Jigger
If you don’t want your drinks to turn out differently every time, you’re going to have to measure. Jiggers help you keep your drinks consistent.
Muddler
Used for muddling herbs and fruit. Some bar spoons come with little muddlers on the end so you might not have to buy them separately.
Vegetable Peeler
You probably already have one in your kitchen somewhere. You'll use it to create garnishes for your drinks like lemon twists, orange peels, etc.
Happy mixing!