While there are dozens of bar tools available from liquor stores to homeware stores, there are 7 tools that you need to get your home bar started (other than liquor and ice). Here’s what I recommend: Measuring cup: Measuring your liquids
While there are dozens of bar tools available from liquor stores to homeware stores, there are 7 tools that you need to get your home bar started (other than liquor and ice). Here’s what I recommend:
- Measuring cup: Measuring your liquids for cocktails is essential for making balanced drinks. While there are jiggers and other fancy measuring tools, you can also use 4 oz measuring glasses. They’re dishwasher safe and I’ve had them for years.
- Mixing glass: Some cocktails should be shaken and some should be stirred. For stirred drinks, a standard pint glass will be fine, though something with a wider base is better in the long run. I bought a six-pack of 600ml beakers that I use to stir my cocktails.
- Strainer: You really can’t stir drinks (see #2 above) without a strainer to pour the finished product through. The best strainers I’ve found are usually the cheapest.
- Shaker: While most professional bartenders use a Boston Shaker, I’ve found a 3-piece shaker (also called a cobbler) like this one has worked best for me at home.
- Knife: You’ll be cutting lots of citrus to pour into your cocktails, so make sure you have a knife to do it with. I have 5 or 6 paring knives, and I love them.
- Squeezer: I realize that you can just use your hand to squeeze the citrus for your cocktails, but you’ll get way more juice if you use a squeezer like this one.
- Glassware: Using the proper glassware for your cocktail is essential. Save plastic, paper, or other vessels for the frat house. Now that you’re making great cocktails, use proper glasses.