Cocktail Basics – Building a home bar – part 1 of 3 – The Utensils

Setting up a home bar is all about having the right equipment and ingredients. In the first part of this series, we’ll cover the essential utensils you’ll need. Part 2 will cover glassware and Part 3 will cover liquor.

Stock up on these essentials and don’t cut corners on quality. You’ll soon be the toast of your town, or city, or suburb…

• A Boston Shaker. This is the professional version that most bars use. 2 pieces, a pint-size mixing glass and a stainless steel shaker cup. We prefer this type over the more common 3 piece stainless steel types because the clear glass in the Boston Shaker allows you to see what you’re mixing and let’s you know if your proportions are right. We like the Rosle Boston Shaker. Get it here.
• A Hawthorn Strainer. A basic strainer shaped like a spoon with a spring edge. The Hawhorn Strainer ensures that you don’t get any bits of ice in your drinks. Fits over any size glass. Always strain your drinks from the mixing tin. This way if you’re off on your measurements, nobody else will be the wiser. Get one here as part of this bar set.
• A Jigger. For measuring. Most usually have 1 oz on one side, and 1/2 oz on the other side, sometimes also called a double jigger. You’ll want to use one of these until you’ve mastered freehand pouring. Get one here as part of this bar set.
• Pour spouts. After you’ve become comfortable mixing a few cocktails, you might want to consider using a pour spout. Pour spouts allow you to mix your drinks faster, because you don’t lose time measuring and you don’t want to keep your patrons waiting. There are all kinds of pour spouts out there, even ones that measure for you when you pour. We don’t like these because they can interfere with your rhythm when you’re pouring. Look for the Spill Stop Model #285-50, it’s a professional standard. Buy a couple – because it’s a bad idea to switch pour spouts without washing them first, and remember to always re-cap your bottles with the original caps. This way your premium hooch doesn’t go up in smoke. Get a set of 12 here.
• A sharp knife. Important for preparing garnishes and slicing those lemons and limes.
• A citrus stripper / zester. The sharp head removes the pith from citrus fruits and the side knife gives you that perfect twist everytime.  
• A chopping board. Get one here as part of this bar set.
• Swizzle sticks (for stirring long drinks), a long bar spoon and straws.
• Citrus Press. This is an essential part of your home bar – because nothing but freshly squeezed juice will do. That means no canned juices or store bought mixes. This stainless steel model from Nor-pro is an excellent choice.
• Get one here.
• A wooden muddler. To crush fruit and bruise herbs. Have no mercy. Get it here
• A Waiter’s Knife. A multi-purpose tool which usually contains a knife, cork screw and can opener. Our money is on this model from Victorinox, the company that gave us Swiss Army. Yours should be too. Get one here.
• A Blender. How else are you going to make those margarita’s? This one’s a Consumer Reports Best Buy – that’s good enough for us. Get it here.

Honorable Mention: This manual juicer from Hamilton Beach. A tad more expensive but worth every penny. It’s the commercial version you’ll find in any top class bar. Get it here.