Even though you may not be bartending all the time, having the right tools for mixing and serving drinks can help make all your parties a hit.
Home Bar Essentials
Essential hardware
-Jigger
Properly measuring the ingredients for your cocktails ensures a balanced taste. Most jiggers (or measuring glasses) have a half ounce measure on one side and a two ounce measure on the other.
Jigger
-Shaker
The Boston shaker (with pint glass) is the shaker of choice for professional bartenders. A standard cocktail shaker works just as well for your home bar, plus, it looks stylish.
-Hawthorne Strainer
You'll typically use a Hawthorne strainer with a Boston shaker. It keeps ice in the shaker while allowing fruit pulp to pass through.
-Cutting Board and Knife
Prepare garnishes before you start serving, but keep a small cutting board and knife handy if you start to run out.
-Bar Spoon
For layering or stirring. It's also handy for pulling cherries and olives from jars.
-Muddler
For mashing fruit or mint leaves into the bottom of a glass.
-Corkscrew
If you plan on serving wine - a winged corkscrew makes opening bottles a breeze.
-Ice Bucket
Bartending requires mountains of ice, no matter how small the party. The right bucket keeps ice from melting and is especially handy if you're bartending outside.
Not-so essential hardware
-Blender
If you already have a blender, make sure it's able to crush ice.
-Bottle Stoppers
Especially useful for maintaining the bouquet in wine.
-Julep Strainer
A smaller strainer that's handy if you're straining into narrower glasses.
Glassware
Try chilling your glassware in the freezer, or by filling with ice cubes, before use. Always hold glassware by the base or stem to avoid leaving finger marks.
Glassware
Essential glassware
-Martini Glass
Also known as a cocktail glass, its chic neck lets your guests hold the glass without warming the drink.
-Old Fashioned Glass or Rocks Glass
A short glass with a heavy base for drinks served on ice. It's the quintessential tumbler for enjoying whiskey.
-Highball Glass
Similar to a rocks glass, but taller. It's typically used for drinks that have larger amounts of mixer, such as a Scotch & Soda. A highball glass is also known as a collins glass.
-Wine Glass
Grasping the long stem keeps chilled wines from getting warm. The bowl shape of the glass converges the wine's flavors or the "bouquet." Red wine glasses typically have a larger bowl than white wine glasses.
Not-so essential glassware
-Champagne Flute
The narrow shape helps retain champagne's carbonation.
-Snifter
Usually used for serving brandy, the bulbous shape helps hold aroma.
-Margarita Glass
The best way to serve Margaritas or other frozen drinks. The wide rim is perfect for salting.
-Pint Glass
Improves beer's drinkability and is useful for serving low-alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks. A must-have if you're using a Boston shaker.
-Shot Glass
Thick-walled glass for serving shots or spirits.
TIP:
Discount stores will carry most of these essentials.