Everything you need for a home bar.
The Basics
Shakers
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A great place to start. No bar is complete without a pair of quality shakers. Small 18 oz shaker and a large 28oz shaker. The best type of shaker set is WEIGHTED metal on metal. For several reasons:
Better and quicker chilling of your ingredients. Optimized texture is reached much easier. Easier to create a vacuum so ingredients do not spill. Cleaning is quite simple, hand-wash or dishwasher safe. I highly recommend getting Koriko brand Japanese shakers. If they're too pricey, I'll also link a more affordable alternative, but be warned. These can sometimes be of lower quality, not dishwasher safe, and susceptible to warping. Koriko Shakers: About $48 https://amzn.to/2H80sIt "Boston" Shaker Alternative (with some bonus items): $17 amzn.to/2OE53WV |
Hawthorne Strainer
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Right after using your shaker, you of course have to strain your tasty drink. These are the best Hawthorne Strainers for the price you pay. Great value and work incredibly well. Dishwasher safe and look stunning in any bar.
OXO Cocktail Shakers: $8 Each amzn.to/2OGoazL |
Jiggers
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These could possibly be your most used as well as most important tool in your bar. Especially when creating popular cocktails, simple or complex. Even seasoned veterans uphold the sacredness of the jigger due to the fact some of the best cocktails ever created demand specific proportions. Otherwise you get a sub par drink. Use these jiggers often. You won't regret it. My personal favorite are the Japanese style jiggers. You'll notice that motif by the way. Japanese style bar ware is usually elegant and extremely practical. Best thing about this style of jigger is it has inside additional markings to help measure from 1/2 oz to 1.5 oz to 2oz.
Japanese 1oz & 2oz Standard Jigger: $8 amzn.to/2UzkXpk Optional but helpful, a 1/2 & oz 3/4 oz Japanese Jigger: $11 amzn.to/31AGNdN |
Bar Spoons
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Bar spoons are another useful, absolutely essential tool in the bar. Used for measuring, diluting, layering, stirring, and tasting; among other things. Having at least 2 is the way to go. Lucky for you, this link includes a 2 pack of elegant bar spoons for a great price.
Other options may have useful spoon ends like tridents for garnishes or flat disks for layering. Choose the one best for you. Japanese Style Stainless Steel Bar Spoons: $8 amzn.to/2vedy4i |
Mixing Vessels
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A mixing glass is for the cocktails you aren't supposed to shake, like a classic Martini, Manhattan, Viuex Carre, and several others. For the best velvety texture (which these drinks should provide), utilize a good mixing vessel. Whereas a chilled pint glass may work fine, nothing works and looks better than a Japanese style mixing glass. Make sure the mixing glass is chilled when used. It dilutes much steadier without melting the ice too quickly.
They come in different sizes, so choose what works best for your bar. The standard is good for mixing about 2 drinks at the same time. 17 oz Mixing Glass: $16 amzn.to/2Ux9eI2 |
Julep Strainer
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Although a regular Hawthorne Strainer (listed above) could work fine for straining a mixing glass of its velvety contents, the proper strainer to use with a mixing glass is a Julep Strainer, pictured here. Their even holes and spacing is perfect for retaining the velvety texture of a stirred cocktail. They're usually pretty affordable and can be utilized for straining other things in the kitchen or grating.
Koleda Julep Strainer: $7 amzn.to/2S9malO |
Coned Strainers
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These fine mesh strainers aren't a requirement but can be incredibly useful. The main use you'll get out of them is to double strain certain cocktails to insure better or foamier texture and to fine strain the pulp from fresh squeezed juices like lemon and lime. The V shape of the strainers focuses the pour into the glass. These are usually mainstays in a high end bar.
Fine Mesh Sieve Strainers, 2 Pack: $10 amzn.to/2SuaRU9 |
Muddler
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We all know a good muddler is useful for muddling herbs, fruit, and sugar cubes. Especially when making fresh, tropical drinks like Mojitos or Caipirinhas or making a solid Old Fashioned. I recommend wooden muddlers over metal ones (be sure to keep them clean). Metal muddlers interfere with the integrity of the ingredients. Wooden ones with varnish are to be avoided, as the varnish can chip off.
Fletcher's Mill Muddler, 11in: $12 amzn.to/2veVVRS |
Vegetable/Fruit Peeler
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Use a Y Peeler to accurately make flat citrus or fruit peels for garnishes. I prefer Y Peelers since they create a practical, yet good looking garnish to twist or spray into a drink. Try to avoid plastic ones with faulty blades.
There are specialized peelers for other purposes however. These are used less often but can come in useful for aesthetic purposes. Y Peeler: $10 amzn.to/39GxSue Specialized Peeler: $8 amzn.to/2SJRtme |
Citrus Juicer
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Citrus Juicers s are useful when making tart, fruity cocktails. Some may opt for pre-bought mixers or juices, which is fine if you'd like. However, nothing beats fresh juice for flavor and texture. Hawthorne Strainers and cone strainers help with eliminating particles like ice and pulp, so you'll be left with a phenomenal, textured refreshing cocktail. Can't argue with that.
Metal hand held juicer for the home: $16 amzn.to/2wodjUX Stainless steel hand juicer: $26 amzn.to/2HvB6V4 |
