The Ultimate Barware Guide
Building Your Home Bar
You don’t have to be an award-winning mixologist to get serious about your cocktails. But what barware essentials do you actually need? Should you get a Cobbler shaker, a Boston shaker, or a mixing glass with a Hawthorne strainer? What is a bar spoon for? Why is the weight of a shaker tin important? Our bar tool guide walks you through the most important barware for your home bar. After all, the right tools make all the difference.
Shakers, Tins, & Mixing Glasses
Cocktail shakers, shaker tins, and mixing glasses all come in a range of sizes. If you generally make one or two drinks at a time, smaller shakers or mixing glasses from 12 oz. to 17 oz. will be ideal. If you love to host a crowd for happy hour, invest in larger capacity shakers and mixing glasses, such as a 20 oz. tin, 24 oz. mixing glass, or even a 27 oz. cocktail shaker.
Boston Shaker
Easier to separate, easier to clean, and beloved by professional bartenders, the Boston Shaker takes a little practice to master but is worth the effort. Choose shaker tins that are weighted at the base for smoother shaking and even distribution, with thin walls for a tight seal.
Cobbler Shaker
The classic three-part Cobbler shaker is ideal for beginners. With a built-in strainer and a cap that doubles as a jigger, it’s the perfect cocktail shaker for anyone who wants to keep their home bar simple and straightforward.
Shaker Tin
A stainless steel shaker tin is one of the most versatile bar tools. Combine it with another shaker tin and a Hawthorne strainer to create a Boston shaker, or use it as a mixing glass for strong cocktails that are better stirred than shaken.
Mixing Glass
Mixed cocktails may not have the dramatic appeal of their shaken cousins, but they make up for it with less dilution, enhanced flavor, and subtle elegance. Look for a sturdy crystal mixing glass with a heavy base that keeps the glass stable while you stir.
Cocktail Strainers
While Cobbler shakers have a built-in strainer, if you’re using a Boston shaker, mixing glass, or shaker tin you’ll need a strainer to filter out any ice, fruit, or herbs.
Hawthorne Strainer
Whether paired with a mixing glass or Boston shaker, our Hawthorne strainer is a bartender’s dream. The tight coiled spring filters out even tiny particles of ice, herbs, or citrus, while the twin channels allow for split pours. It even fits both large and small glasses.
Julep Strainer
The Julep strainer is a piece of barware history. The oldest form of cocktail strainer, this simple perforated bar tool helped julep-drinkers keep ice and muddled herbs in the glass while they sipped, and when juleps fell out of favor, bartenders began using the julep cocktail strainer to strain newfangled drinks such as Manhattans and Martinis. Anyone who appreciates vintage cocktail tools will love a julep strainer, and it’s easier to clean than a Hawthorne strainer.
Mesh Strainer
A mesh strainer is useful for cocktails with finer particles that need to be filtered out of your drink, and for a number of home bar preparations that require straining such as making orgeat, straining infused liquor, or filtering out lemon seeds. It’s also a useful kitchen tool for baking and cooking.
Jiggers & Shot Glasses
With a wide variety of jiggers and shot glasses available, choosing a style can be overwhelming. If you like vintage barware and vintage aesthetics, select a bell shaped jigger (our Canterbury Jigger), which is inspired by 1930s barware, or look for a vintage stepped jigger style. For a more contemporary look, look to a modern style such as the angular, elegant Japanese-style double jigger.
Double Jigger
Precision is key when it comes to mixology, and a Japanese-style double-sided jigger is designed to ensure perfect ratios. The elongated style makes for a smooth pour, while the 1 oz. and 2 oz. measures have interior markings at 1.5, 0.75 and 0.5 oz. Other variations on the double jigger include the Canterbury Jigger with its rounded silhouette or a modern double jigger with a sleek, contemporary design.
Stepped Jigger
This vintage style jigger has a stepped design that makes it easy to gauge quarter measures accurately. Each step represents a half ounce, making this old fashioned jigger both stylish and useful.
Shot Glass
While useful for tequila shots, a shot glass can be used in place of a jigger in a pinch to measure out your ingredients for a cocktail. However, make sure you pay attention to the capacity—a shot glass can measure anywhere from 1 oz. to 2 oz.
Muddlers & Bar Spoons
Muddler
A good sturdy muddler is essential if you enjoy a Mint Julep, Old Fashioned, Caiparinha, or any type of Smash. Choose a classic wooden muddler or opt for a stainless steel design for easy cleaning. Some styles even include teeth at the base for properly smashing tougher fruits, spices, or sugar cubes.
Bar Spoon
Whether you’re stirring a G&T or creating layered cocktails, a classic twisted bar spoon is the perfect tool. Choose a weighted bar spoon to stir drinks smoothly with less dilution, and a twirled stem to encourage even mixing or to assist with layered shooters and cocktails. Some bar spoons even include a muddler base for a 2-in-1 bar tool.
Ice & Garnishing Tools
Ice Sphere Mold
If you like the look and experience of an ice sphere in your whiskey or Old Fashioned but don’t want to carve a sphere every time you make a cocktail, use an ice mold to make a perfectly spherical ice cube without the hassle. Explore other novelty ice cube shapes for an easy way to make a drink even more striking.
Citrus Peeler
Designed to carve out perfect slivers of citrus peel for garnishes, a citrus peeler is a versatile addition to your collection of garnishing tools. Look for broad blades for wide garnishes, or delicate channel knives if you prefer a dainty look.
Cocktail Picks
Perfect for skewering fruit garnishes for tropical tiki cocktails or stuffed olives in a dirty martini, cocktail picks take your drink to the next level.
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