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Home Bar
Essential tools and glassware for your home bar
Here are the basic tools for making all your favourite classic and contemporary cocktails.
Starting a home bar doesn’t have to be daunting or expensive. Stick to the essentials, understand the purpose of each tool, and soon, you’ll have everything you need to mix your favourite cocktails—and maybe even create some new ones.
Jigger
A great cocktail requires precision, which is why this double-sided measuring tool is—in our opinion—the most important of any bar cart. We suggest a 15ml/30ml (.5oz/1oz) as it gives you the most flexibility.
Ice Tongs
Besides keeping your grubby hands off the ice, ice tongs help you lower the ice into the drink without splashing liquid everywhere.
Mixing shaker
This tool is necessary for shaken cocktails but can double as a mixing pint for stirred drinks. Opt for a stainless steel shaker with thick walls. To overcome the common problem of the shaker getting stuck, knock on the shaker just underneath where the two parts connect, and then pull the top one towards you!
Mixing Pint
A mixing pint is a thing of beauty and the ideal vessel for your stirred drinks. You can find some showstoppers from vintage stores if you’re looking for a centrepiece for your home bar cart
Bar Spoon
While you can shake most drinks, some (comprised only of spirits) must be stirred. A bar spoon is tall and has a purpose-designed twisted handle for smooth stirring without splashing.
Cocktail glass
There are actually three types of cocktail glass: the Martini, Nick and Nora and cocktail coupe. Any of these will do. Use it for serving chilled cocktails without ice.
Hawthorne strainer
Since its design in the early 1800s, the Hawthorne strainer has kept ice and solid ingredients out of finished cocktails. While there are several types of strainers, the Hawthorne is a great all-purpose option that fits almost all shakers.
Rocks glass
A rocks glass, also known as an Old Fashioned glass, is short and sturdy, ideal for serving spirits neat or with ice like an Old Fashioned.
Julep strainer
If you do get yourself a mixing pint, don't forget its companion: the Julep strainer. While a Hawthorne strainer can do the job, the Julep strainer is specifically made for a mixing pint, ensuring a better fit and strain.
Collins glass
Tall and slender, the Collins glass is designed to accommodate ice and mixers alongside the base spirit. Reach for it when serving cocktails like its namesake, the Tom Collins.
All the ice in this story comes from Navy Strength Ice Co. and was purchased by the Measured team. This is not a paid partnership—we are genuine fans.
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