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Keeping a well stocked bar means you need more than just a variety of alcohols. You’ll also want to make sure you have the best cocktail tools for every drink you want to make. Learn about what tools you should have and check out some of the best options available today. Let’s go!
Storage
First things first, where are you keeping your cocktail and bar supplies? The more space you have, the more unique cocktail tools you’ll have room for.
If you don’t have a dedicated space, the best solution is a bar cart. When buying your cart, consider you style, space, and drinking habits. For example, if you drink a lot of wine you’ll want to store more wine bottles and glasses on your bar cart.
Check out these three stylish and functional bar carts (click on each to learn more):
Table of Contents
Making Cocktails
These are all the tools you’ll want to make any cocktail you can think of!
Shaker
There are two things to consider when buying a shaker: weight and style.
Weight or Unweighted
A weighted cocktail shaker is going to be heavier (because it’s weighted, right?!). Weighted tins offer a couple of advantages: you can shake with a bit more enthusiasm and it’s sturdier for muddling, stirring, and whatnot. However, if you have a lot of cocktails to shake your arm will become more tired using a weighted shaker.
There’s no right or wrong choice. Choose the one that feels best in your hand!
Three Piece or Boston
There are two major types of shakers: the three-piece and the Boston.
The Three-Piece Shaker is the stereotypical shaker featuring a tapered shape with a domed or angled lid, an integrated strainer, and a removable cap. These range in size from 8oz up to 28oz (and larger).
The Boston Shaker has a bottom tin and a top glass (which can be glass or tin). It’s typically a 28oz bottom and 16oz glass which means you can shake up multiple drinks at once.
Check out 3 of the best shakers on the market right now (click on each to learn more & buy):
Put your shaker to good use in these cocktail recipes:
Mixing Glass
A mixing glass is essential for stirred cocktails (especially one that needs to be strained). How do you choose a good mixing glass? Look for one that’s wide with a heavy base and straight walls, is large enough to hold a drink and ice, is durable, and has a spout for pouring.
Check out 3 of the best mixing glasses on the market right now (click on each to learn more & buy):
Put your mixing glass to good use in these cocktail recipes:
Strainer
A strainer is an essential part of many cocktail recipes. You’ll often want to use ice and other flavoring ingredients but strain them out from the finished cocktail.
There are three different types of strainers: the Hawthorne Strainer (most popular), the Julep Strainer (easiest to use), and the Fine Mesh Strainer (clearest strain). I’ll admit, I have one of each but that’s not necessary. Choose whichever strainer will suit your cocktail style best. If you drink a variety, go with the Hawthorne.
Check out 3 of the best strainers on the market right now (click on each to learn more & buy):
Put your strainer to good use in these cocktail recipes:
Bar Spoon
If a recipe calls for a “bar spoon” of an ingredient, it’s somewhere between a dash and a quarter of an ounce. You can measure this with ………. your bar spoon!
A bar spoon should be at least 12″ (30cm) long and have a small (~1ml) spoon on the end.
Check out 3 of the best bar spoons on the market right now (click on each to learn more & buy):
Put your bar spoon to good use in these cocktail recipes:
Jigger
A jigger is a special measuring tool for alcoholic drinks. There are different styles and materials but basically you can choose whichever suits your usage (and aesthetic) needs.
Check out 3 of the best jiggers on the market right now (click on each to learn more & buy):
Put your jigger to good use in these cocktail recipes:
Muddler
A muddler is used to mix and mash ingredients. It helps them release their flavors into the cocktail better. It’s esential for a number of delicious cocktails!
Check out 3 of the best muddlers on the market right now (click on each to learn more & buy):
Put your muddler to good use in these cocktail recipes:
Paring Knife
A paring knife is useful for slicing, peeling, and more. You’ll definitely want one in your bar.
Check out 3 of the best paring knives on the market right now (click on each to learn more & buy):
Put your paring knife to good use in these cocktail recipes:
Peeler
Create your own beautiful garnish peels with a peeler. It takes a little bit of practice, but then it’s super easy to create stunning cocktail garnishes!
Check out 3 of the best peelers on the market right now (click on each to learn more & buy):
Put your peeler to good use in these cocktail recipes:
Juicer
Make your cocktails their freshest with a juicer! Using fresh lemon, lime, and other juices will make your cocktails significantly better.
Check out 3 of the best juicers on the market right now (click on each to learn more & buy):
Put your juicer to good use in these cocktail recipes:
Blender
If you want to make blended cocktails, you’ll need a blender.
Check out 3 of the best blenders on the market right now (click on each to learn more & buy):
Put your blender to good use by making blended versions of these cocktails:
Bar Glassware
There are so many different style glasses you could buy for your bar but I think you only need 3 style of glasses, a shot glass, plus wine and beer.
Highball Glasses (and/or Collins Glasses)
Highball glasses and Collins glasses are basically the same. What you want here is a tall and skinny glass that holds about 12 ounces.
Can you get bigger highballs? Yes but that doesn’t mean you should. Bigger glasses often just mean consuming more mixer, losing track of your alcohol consumption, or watery drinks from having a lot of ice.
Check out 3 of the best highball glasses on the market right now (click on each to learn more & buy):
Put your highballs to good use in these cocktail recipes:
Rocks Glasses
There are two types of rocks glasses: singles and doubles.
Single rocks glasses should be 8 to 10 ounces. Doubles rocks glasses should be 10 to 12 ounces. If you only want one set of rocks glasses, go for a 10 ounce glass which will cover both!
Check out 3 of the best rocks glasses on the market right now (click on each to learn more & buy):
Put your rocks glasses to good use in these cocktail recipes:
Coupe Glasses (instead of Martini Glasses)
Martini glasses look cool but you’re 5,000 times more likely to spill (totally not a scientific number, I’m exaggerating to make a point). Choose coupe glasses instead. They offer all the benefits of a martini glass, come in a variety of styles and sizes, and the bowl-shape means you’ll spill a lot less.
The standard size coupe glass should be 7oz. Bigger is an option but be careful of dilution, too strong, and too much mixer.
Check out 3 of the best coupe on the market right now (click on each to learn more & buy):
Put your coupe to good use in these cocktail recipes:
Shot Glasses
Shot glasses are pretty standard barware. You’ll use them to serve … SHOTS! Shot glasses come in different shapes and sizes.
I highly (HIGHLY) recommend you buy 2 ounce shot glasses (or at the very least, 1.5oz). The reason? You don’t want to be filling your shot glasses right to the rim (because that just encourages spillage) and many shot recipes will end up around 1.5 ounces.
Check out 3 of the best 2oz shot glasses (click on each to learn more & buy):
Put your shot glasses to good use in these shot recipes:
Other Glassware
There are other glasses you might want in your bar but they’re used much less often. Usually, cocktail in these glasses can be put into one of the glasses above.
I have a set of copper mugs because I love them but that’s it.
Check out 3 types of other glassware (copper mugs, julep cups, glass mugs) on the market right now (click on each to learn more & buy):
Put your other glassware to good use in these cocktail recipes:
Beer Glasses
If you drink/serve a lot of beer, you’re going to want somee beer glasses. There are different types, sizes, and styles but you can basically choose whatever you want.
Check out 3 of the best beer glasses on the market right now (click on each to learn more & buy):
Pitchers
I don’t have a pitcher. Occasionally I think about buying one but when I have guests I just make individual cocktails or we drink wine.
If you entertain frequently and want to make big batches of cocktails, a pitcher is the way to go. I would want one with a lid, a spout, and a handle. I also think it would be good if you can put hot and cold drinks in it.
Check out 3 of the best WHAT on the market right now (click on each to learn more & buy):
Put your pitcher to good use by making big batches of these cocktail recipes:
Wine
A bar isn’t stocked if you aren’t prepared to serve wine. Wine has a lot of tools!
Bottle Opener
More and more wines are closed with screw-top caps which don’t require a tool to open them however, there are still many, many corked wines. How do you open those? With a wine opener or corkscrew.
Bonus: many corkscrews also have a bottle opener that you can use to open beer bottles (although I haven’t had a beer that needed an opener in more time than I can remember).
Check out 3 of the best bottle opener/corkscrews on the market right now (click on each to learn more & buy):
Wine Decanter
A wine decanter is used to separate any sediment out of the wine (particularly important for aged wines) and used to aerate the wine (improves aromas and flavors).
Most red wines will benefit from being decanted for a brief period before drinking. Older white wines may also benefit.
Surprise: champagne and sparkling wines can often benefit from decanting, too! Unless the bubble is your top priority, give them a gentle decanting and see how you like it.
Check out 3 of the best decanters on the market right now (click on each to learn more & buy):
Wine Glasses
There are three types of wine glasses: red, white, and champagne.
Red Wine
Red wine glasses are bigger and more bowl shaped. This allows the wine to swirl and aerate better. Red wine glasses come in a huge variety of sizes with the most common being 14 to 20+ ounces. The standard serving of red wine is 5 ounces.
White Wine
White wine glasses are smaller and less bowl shaped. They also have longer stems than red wine glasses. White wine glasses usually come in a smaller range of sizes, with the most common being 10 to 14 ounces. The standard serving of white wine is 5 ounces.
Champagne
Champagne glasses are long flutes. They’re ideal for any drink with bubbles. A champagne flute is usually around 7 ounces with the standard serving of champagne being 5 ounces.
Check out these great wine glasses (red, white, and champagne) on the market right now (click on each to learn more & buy):
Put your champagne glasses to good use in these cocktail recipes:
Wine Stopper
What happens when you have a corked bottle of wine and you don’t finish it in one night? Drink more!
But really, you put a wine stopper in it and drink it within 3 days (refrigerated for white).
Check out 3 of the best wine stoppers on the market right now (click on each to learn more & buy):
Other Bar Items
Your bar is basically stocked, you just need a couple little things to finish it off.
Cocktail Picks
Cocktail picks are great for adding garnishes (like olives and cherries). They can also act as a stir stick for the drinker. You can get bamboo or wooden picks, but I really think you should go reusable.
Check out 3 of the best cocktail picks on the market right now (click on each to learn more & buy):
Put your cocktail picks to good use in these cocktail recipes:
Cocktail Napkins
Where there are cocktails, there are spills. Fact. Keep things cleaner by serving your cocktails with a cocktail napkin. I like reusable ones but sometimes paper napkins (especially for events) are best.
Check out 3 of the best cocktail napkins on the market right now (click on each to learn more & buy):
Put your cocktail napkins to good use served with these cocktail recipes:
Ice Cube Trays
Ice is a crucial ingredient to many cocktails. You probably already have an ice cube try in your freezer but standard ice cubes aren’t your only option. Many cocktails are served with a huge hunk of ice and you can get large square, round, or shaped molds for your ice cubes. So why not go a little wild?!
Check out 3 of the best ice cube options on the market right now (click on each to learn more & buy):
Put your ice cubes to good use in these cocktail recipes:
A Well-Stocked Bar
If you’ve followed this guide, you should have all the tools you need to make every cocktail you can image. Go, get drinking.
Share your favorite cocktail in the comments below!
Now that you’ve stocked your bar, why not get ready for meal planning? Check out The Best Tools for Meal Prep next!
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Please Drink Responsibly!
Seriously. Don’t drink and drive, ever! Know your limits. Be responsible.
If you (or someone you know) is struggling with alcohol, please check this list of resources that can help.
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