What tools do you really need to start making cocktails at home?
It’s a great question that can have so many different answers. When asked this we always ask a question back, “What kind of drinks do you like?”
Of course, if you want a full bar set-up at home, a ready set of essential barware means that for any cocktail you want to make, you want to have the all the right tools for the job.
Bar Spoon
If Martinis, Manhattans, Old Fashioneds or Negronis call out to you, then a bar spoon is what you need to make them perfectly at home. Our favourite bar spoons have a delicate twist to them, that runs the length of the spoon, which not only looks good, it helps to guide your hand as it stirs. These come in different lengths that both do the same job, longer bar spoons are best suited for those of us who are taller or have lower benchtops. The extra length makes for a more ergonomic mixing experience—no need to hunch over while mixing up your next drink.
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Jigger
If I had to pick just one tool from this list as the most essential piece of barware for making cocktails, it would have to be a jigger. Used to measure precise amounts of spirits, liqueurs, juices, syrups, and more; meaning you can make the same drink consistently every time. A double sided Japanese style jigger is my personal preference. Grab a 30/60ml for versatility, it's got internal markings on both sides so you can measure 15ml, 20ml and 45ml as well. If you prefer a different style, that's OK, they will all do a comparable job at making sure your pours are consistent.
Shakers
There are a few options when it comes to shakers. Fundamentally they all do the same job—hold liquid & ice securely so you can shake up a cocktail. But they do have some key differences.
Cobbler (3-Piece) Shaker
Best for convenience and aesthetics; it’s a classic design with a built-in strainer and looks great on display in any home bar. On shakers made from thinner steel the cap can sometimes become stuck - cold causes metal to contract -
Boston Shaker (2-Piece)
Also known as a two piece shaker, it’s essentially two cups: one smaller to fit inside the larger. Sometimes a glass is used instead of the smaller metal side, but our recommendation is to get an all-metal one for reduced weight and increased durability. You will need a hawthorne strainer with this type of shaker, but it’s the most versatile shaker type by far.
French or Parisian Shaker
Kind of a mix between a cobbler and a boston shaker; the Parisian is just two pieces like a Boston, but the top half is more of a lid rather than another cup like a boston. The lid provides a more ergonomic grip, especially for smaller hands, looks super presentable on a bar and is easy to separate by twisting off once the shaking is done. You will need a hawthorne strainer with this type of shaker.
Mixing Glass
Just like shakers, all mixing glasses serve the same basic purpose. The choice here boils down to choice of material, style, and size. Glass or metal is the first choice to make. Glass is great for home, often with beautiful etched patterns and available in lots of different sizes. A metal mixing glass is great for a busy, professional setting where some more knocks or even getting dropped is likely. If you just make the odd Negroni for yourself then a smaller size will do, but if you often make Martinis for a group then you’ll need a bigger mixing glass—maybe even two!
Strainers
Keeping solid ingredients out of your final cocktail is super important. Visually it's going to look much nicer without small pieces of debris and the drinking experience will be much better without small chips of ice. There are a few different styles of strainers, some work in tandem together, others are designed to be used with particular tools.
Hawthorne Strainer
Hawthorne strainers are the go-to for using with a Boston or French style shaker. These are built around a spring that does double duty by both straining your drink and conforming to the shape of the shaker itself to hold the ice in place. The finer the coil of spring, the better a job of straining it will do. Best used with a mesh strainer to double strain.
Mesh Strainer
Provides your last step of straining in a double strain. With the bulky material already kept at bay by a hawthorne strainer, the mesh strainer catches all the fine particulates—small ice chips, flecks of mint, or little pieces of citrus pulp. Keeping these out of your cocktail improves the look, mouthfeel, and the drinking experience.
Julep Strainer
A julep strainer is the strainer to use with a mixing glass. Designed to sit inside the glass against the ice, it holds the ice in place and lets the liquid pass through. Small chips of ice, fruit pulp, and herbs aren't an issue with stirred drinks, so the larger holes in the julep strainer allow the cocktail to strain through quickly with minimal agitation.
Muddler
A muddler is something great to have on hand if you love Mojitos, Smashes, or Caipirinhas. Used to crush sugar or press soft fruits and herbs at the bottom of the shaker, a muddler makes these tasks a breeze.Metal and plastic are great for something super easy to keep clean, but a turned wooden muddler can’t be beat for its timeless look and appeal.
Ice
We are getting into ingredient territory here, but ice is fundamental to making the vast majority of cocktails. Having consistently sized ice cubes makes for a controlled variable as different sized ice cubes melt and dilute at different rates. Larger sized cubes pull double duty—great for shaking or mixing with and then equally at home in a glass for your cocktail. Our tip is to let your ice tray sit out for 5 to 10 minutes before using them to shake or mix. This allows the surface of the ice to warm up a bit which helps with dilution and makes the ice less likely to break when shaking, helping to reduce the ice chipping into small shards.
