From tools you need to the spirits to mix with, here is my ultimate list for your home bar!
When you are setting up your home bar, there are a few things you might need. I thought it would be helpful to make a cocktail resource page that aspiring home mixologists can utilize to see the products I use in my kitchen and home bar. I will continue to evolve and update this list as I find new products worth mentioning.
Topics
Tools
Improvising only gets you so far. These are the tools you need behind your bar.
- Jigger — This handy little thing is for measuring out spirits, syrups and other liquids. Usually, one side is 1 ounce, and the other is 1.5 ounces.
- Cocktail shaker — Use this vessel to shake up your margaritas, martinis and more!
- Strainers — three choices:
- Classic cocktail strainer — Strain your cocktail from a shaker like a professional bartender.
- Fine mesh strainer — This mini-strainer is my favorite. I use it all the time, especially when I don’t want citrus pulp in my drinks.
- Julep strainer — For keeping mint leaves out of those mint juleps!
- Barspoon — A long spoon for stirring or for ‘floating’ a layer of liqueur over a cocktail.
- Measuring spoons — You probably already have a set of these. But just in case. I also love this measure cup for liquids!
- Citrus juicers — a few different kinds to choose from:
- Squeeze juicer — This is handiest when I have (what feels like) a thousand lemons to juice. It also comes in a smaller size for limes or a larger one for oranges and grapefruits. (Tip: Put the cut side down to get the most juice on the first squeeze.)
- Classic glass juicer — I love this kind when I want lots of pulp. It can be hard on the wrist, though. Ceramic juicers are also lovely.
- Reamer — Great for getting every last ounce of juice. Lots of control here.
- Electric — Because sometimes a little power helps.
- Zester — For a little citrus garnish. A handheld zester works, too. (And you can use the handheld kind for citrus twists, too.)
- Vegetable peeler — For a big citrus garnish, like a piece of orange rind.
- Muddler — Use this to mash herbs, fruits and spirits together. I prefer a wooden one, but a metal muddler works too.
- Paring knife — The sharper, the better.
- Cutting board — Protect those countertops, yo.
- Blender — Once you try a good blender, you’ll never go back. So handy for those frozen margs and boozy milkshakes!
- Ice trays — (Tip: Fill them up with freshly boiled water for the clearest-looking ice.)
- Basic cubes — I love the way these stack in my freezer!
- Large cubes — Bigger cubes melt slower. And this tray stacks with the ones above, too!
- Ice spheres — Great balls of ice!
- Whiskey stones — Pieces of soapstone that don’t melt, so your whiskey stays cold and undiluted.
- Corkscrew — Every bar has to have one of these! Just in case a wine drinker comes over, or if you make sangria.
- Bottle opener — Don’t be caught without one of these, either. Handy for beers and sodas.
Spirits
Look for my favorite bottles in your local liquor store as I cannot link to a product page where you can purchase them online. I will, however, link to the brands’ official websites. Ages 21+ only!
*Locally made in North Carolina
Bourbon
Bulleit, Blanton’s, Woodford Reserve
Budget pick: Bulleit
Gin
Bombay Sapphire, Tanqueray, Hendrick’s, TOPO*, Cardinal*
Budget pick: Seagram’s
Rum
Bacardi, Cruzan, Gosling’s, Kill Devil*, Kraken, Muddy River*
Budget pick: Bacardi
Tequila
Dobel, El Jimador, Espolon, Lunazul, Patrón
Budget pick: El Jimador, Espolon
Whiskey
Bulleit, Crown Royal, Great Wagon Road*, Jack Daniels, Jameson, Stranahan’s, Tincup
Budget pick: Bulleit, Jack Daniels
Vodka
Absolut, Breckenridge, Reyka, Tito’s, TOPO*
Budget pick: Tito’s
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Ingredients
A few essentials that will make your cocktails taste better!
- Angostura Bitters — Bitters are a strong, aromatic liquid. You’ll want to add a dash or two to certain cocktails, like the old-fashioned, from time to time.
- Orange Bitters — A dash of citrus bitters can be so bright in cocktails!
- Luxardo Maraschino Cherries — A classic Italian red cherry for your cocktails that’s way better than those fake-looking red ones!
- Jack Rudy Bourbon Cocktail Cherries — Amazing cherries that taste like bourbon!
Glassware
Serve up your drinks in the proper glassware whenever you can!
- Highball glass — A classic for tall cocktails.
- Rocks / old-fashioned glass — A classic for short cocktails.
- Martini glass — Handy for martinis or cocktails that need a fancy glass. 007-approved.
- Wine glasses — Wine tastes better in the right-shaped glass for its color: red or white.
- Champagne flutes — Tall, slender beauties for your glasses of stars. Saucer glasses work, too.
- Margarita glass — Not necessary for marg night, but always fun. I also love these cactus ones!
- Pint glass — Pour me a cold one, and oh, by the way — beer steins and pilsner glasses are fun to have, too.
- Shot glasses — In case you don’t have any leftover from college.
- Plastic Jell-O shot cups — With lids, perfect for transporting your booziest jigglers to tailgates and parties.
- Coupe glass — These stunners always dress up a drink and send it back in time a bit. I love these with gold rims!
- Irish coffee mug — For all your spiked coffee needs! Also nice for fancy hot cocoa.
- Copper mule mugs — These shiny copper mugs look so pretty on your bar cart, but they also help keep your Moscow mules ice, ice cold.
- Silver julep cups — Sleek silver cups keep your mint juleps cold and your Kentucky Derby game on fleek.
- Hurricane glass — Fancy for island drinks like the hurricane, frozen daiquiri or anything else tropical.
- Brandy snifter — For the brandy drinkers in your life. The shape keeps the smell strong.
Garnishes
A little pizzazz goes a long way.
- Fancy paper straws — These always make a drink look fancy.
- Cocktail napkins — Keep those sweaty glasses away from me! You can also dream up your own designs at Tiny Prints!
- Sleek coasters — Protect those tabletops! P.S. I looove these agate coasters.
- Paper cocktail umbrellas — For protecting your mai tais, piña coladas and other tropical libations from the sun.
- Skewers — Handy for heavily garnished bloody marys. These bamboo cocktail knots work too.
- Toothpicks — Spear your cocktail olives, fruits and other garnishes to make them easy to reach. Also handy for appetizers and bar snacks.
- Stirrers/swizzle sticks — You can have serious fun here and set the tone for your cocktail. A few (okay, a lot) of my faves: love, flamingos, palm trees, anchors, fruit, mustaches, tiny cocktails, bamboo, glitter and stars.
Books
My favorite books for both decorating your bar and learning more about cocktails!
Must-Haves
- The Essential Bar Book: An A-to-Z Guide to Spirits, Cocktails, and Wine by Jennifer Fielder
- The Bar Book: Elements of Cocktail Technique by Jeffrey Morgenthaler
- The Drunken Botanist: The Plants That Create the World’s Great Drinks by Amy Stewart
- The Modern Mixologist: Contemporary Classic Cocktails by Tony Abou-Ganim
- Punch Bowls and Pitcher Drinks by Jeanne Kelley and Sarah Tenaglia
- Cocktails for a Crowd by Kara Newman
Spirit Books
- The World Atlas of Whisky by Dave Broom
- The Spirit of Gin: A Stirring Miscellany of the New Gin Revival by Matt Teacher
- And a Bottle of Rum: A History of the New World in Ten Cocktails by Wayne Curtis
- Tequila: A Guide to Types, Flights, Cocktails, and Bites by Joanne Weir
- Vodka Distilled: The Modern Mixologist on Vodka and Vodka Cocktails by Tony Abou-Ganim
Beer + Wine
- Wine Folly: The Essential Guide to Wine by Madeline Puckette
- Christie’s World Encyclopedia of Champagne & Sparkling Wine by Tom Stevenson & Essi Avelan MW
- The Complete Beer Course: Boot Camp for Beer Geeks by Joshua M. Bernstein
- The Beer Bible by Jeff Alworth
