10 Tools Every Aspiring Bartender Should Have
"Let's open a bar"...
The 4 words everyone thinks at least once in their life. Okay maybe that's an exaggeration - some people probably never think that (those are called smart people), and some people think it multiple times a day (those people are me). In any case, it doesn't take very long after having this thought that you realize how expensive and time-consuming that would be. I mean, hey - if it's your passion, go for it! But, if you're like me and you're a sucker for making money moves, running a low-key bar out of your kitchen seems to do the trick at a fraction of the cost.
So, what do you need to run an at-home bar? Well, actually surprisingly not a lot. Take a second and think about the majority of the drinks you make at home... how many of those take more than 5-ish minutes to prepare? Chances are that most of the drinks you'll be making at home are straightforward enough to make with just a handful of tools. Now, you could probably do without some of these tools - actually, #7-#10 below are more of "nice-to-haves" that really just make your work a lot easier. Nevertheless, the 10 tools we've listed below are great additions to your at-home bar that will take your cocktail making to the next level without breaking the bank.
If you're an aspiring at-home bartender, here are the 10 must-have tools for you.
The 4 words everyone thinks at least once in their life. Okay maybe that's an exaggeration - some people probably never think that (those are called smart people), and some people think it multiple times a day (those people are me). In any case, it doesn't take very long after having this thought that you realize how expensive and time-consuming that would be. I mean, hey - if it's your passion, go for it! But, if you're like me and you're a sucker for making money moves, running a low-key bar out of your kitchen seems to do the trick at a fraction of the cost.
So, what do you need to run an at-home bar? Well, actually surprisingly not a lot. Take a second and think about the majority of the drinks you make at home... how many of those take more than 5-ish minutes to prepare? Chances are that most of the drinks you'll be making at home are straightforward enough to make with just a handful of tools. Now, you could probably do without some of these tools - actually, #7-#10 below are more of "nice-to-haves" that really just make your work a lot easier. Nevertheless, the 10 tools we've listed below are great additions to your at-home bar that will take your cocktail making to the next level without breaking the bank.
If you're an aspiring at-home bartender, here are the 10 must-have tools for you.
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#1) Cocktail Shaker. There are technically three types of cocktail shakers. The most common one you'll see at a bar is probably a Boston Shaker, characterized by it's larger metal base and high-ball glass that serves as the lid (left in the picture). These are a bit more on the advanced side because they require a tight seal whenever used. Another shaker is the less common Parisian shaker, which is usually a metal base with a metal lid. These are great, but you'll have to use a separate strainer as there is no built-in strainer in the lid. The third shaker option, which I'd venture is probably the most common for at-home bartenders, is the cobbler shaker, which has a metal base and a metal top with a built-in strainer (right in the picture). Check out some options here!
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#2) Strainer. If you're not using a cobbler shaker, you'll definitely need to invest in a handheld strainer (actually, even if you are using a cobbler shaker, I've found that handheld strainers are a more effective). Like shakers, you have some options here too. The most common strainer you'll probably see is called a Hawthorne strainer (pictured here), which sits in the lid of your shaker or stirring glass as you pour out your drink. Another equally appropriate strainer to use for most drinks would be a julep strainer. These also sit inside whatever you are pouring your drink from, but they don't have the spring coil like a Hawthorne strainer. Hawthorne and julep strainers are more or less interchangeable, but the third strainer is a separate tool in a category of its own. This is a fine mesh conical strainer, which you'll want to have for any drinks that call for double straining. Check out strainers here!
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#3) Measuring Jigger. Some bartenders will use a "free pour" technique where they count the number of seconds they are pouring their alcohol. Most of the time, they are using what's called a 4-count method where 4 seconds of straight downpour translates to 1 Oz. That's a totally acceptable method to use, but here are a few things to consider... 1) what happens when you have a recipe that calls for 2/3 Oz of something? You'd need to pour for precisely 8/3 seconds (I think?). I can barely figure out how to divide 8 by 3, let alone count 8/3 seconds, so good luck; 2) if you're like me, you're probably already drinking a cocktail while you're making one for someone else, so who knows how many seconds you're actually pouring for; and 3) it takes a good deal of practice to get to that level of precision where your 4-second pour is exactly 1.5 Oz. So, my suggestion is to invest in a measuring jigger - they're pretty affordable, and they're a great way to make sure your proportions are just right. Here are a couple of options.
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#4) Bar Spoon. Like strainers and shakers, there are also a few options for different bar spoons. Of course, you can always just use whatever utensil you have on hand - a knife usually works just fine, as does a teaspoon. But, having a true bar spoon can be a nice commodity for stirring up your libations. The 3 most common types of bar spoons are the European spoon (which has a flat quarter-sized circle at end of the spoon), the Japanese bar spoon, and the American bar spoon (which has a red rubber piece at the top of the spoon). That said, there are bajillions of different types of bar spoons out there and different manufacturers don't really conform to these categories of different types of spoons. Search for a spoon for your cocktails here!
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#5) Muddler. Muddlers are a super important tool any time you are making simple syrup by hand or breaking down fruits or foods to include in your cocktail. For hand-made simple syrup, a muddler becomes your best friend; just take about .25-.5 oz. of water with a sugar cube in a shaker or glass and use your muddler to crush up and dissolve the sugar into the water. For other drinks, you might use your muddler to release fruit juices, like when you muddle up berries or limes to sit at the bottom of a gin and tonic or vodka soda. Or, you might use your muddler to release oils from herbs and leaves, like when you muddle up mint leaves for a mojito. In either case, definitely give some thought to purchasing a muddler - just remember that wooden muddlers need to be washed after each use, especially when used on citrus due to the effect of the citric acid on the wood.
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#6) Peeler. Ok, this one might be a stretch - I supposed you could argue that a peeler isn't really a bar tool as much as it is a general kitchen tool...but, if you've ever made an old fashion without having a tool nearby to peel an orange or lemon garnish, you know that this is actually one of the clutchest tools in the toolkit. Of course, you could also use a sharp knife, but a peeler makes is particularly easy to shave off a citrus peel garnish for your cocktail creations. Doing so allows you to squeeze the peel over the drink, releasing the oils from the surface of the fruit to rest gently on the surface of your drink. If you're interested, I usually garnish my old fashioneds with an orange peel, my martinis with a lemon peel, my negronis with a grapefruit peel, and my well drinks (most of them at least) with a lime peel. As you try our different peel garnishes with different recipes, just be sure you aren't peeling too dep and getting the actual fruit! Check out different peelers here.
#7) Toothpicks. Ok, so this one might seem obvious or not super important for the craft of cocktail making, but just imagine preparing a classy martini for your at-home bar patrons, and you get to the very end where you're about to garnish that bad boy up with 3 Spanish olives, and you realize you have 0 toothpicks... Right? Yeah, let that sink in. Bet you feel pretty sill don't ya now. So, moral of that poorly written story: always have toothpicks at hand for your cocktail making! Regular ole toothpicks will do, but if you want to get creative and step it up a notch, try purchasing metal toothpicks (re-usable so good for mother nature!), or those classy looking bamboo toothpicks you can find online.
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#8) Bottle Pourers. Bottle pourers are probably on the less essential side, especially if you have a steady hand, which I absolutely do not...especially after a few cocktails. For that reason, I recommend buying at least a few of these to aid in your bottle pouring process. These crafty tools can be found for pretty cheap, and they are especially important is you plan on not using a measuring jigger (see above) as they regulate the amount of liquid released from your bottle as you pour; so, if you're using a 4-count method to pour your liquid, these will ensure your alcohol comes out at a steady pace as you count. These are also quite handy if you're making drinks for large groups as they speed up the pouring process and get rid of the need to twist on and off the lids for each bottle. Find them online here!
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#9) Large Ice Cubes. Whether you like your drinks on the rocks or neat, having large ice cubes on hand takes your at-home bartending from 0 to 100 real quick #drizzy. There's just something so classy and prestigious about pouring a perfectly made old fashioned or manhattan over a large ice cube in a simple rocks glass. I'm a big fan of using large cube-shaped ice mold, but I have also used the round ice cube spheres as well, and I've even seen some bars that brand their ice cubes with hot iron to leave their name or a picture on the cube before pouring their drink over it. Definitely get creative, but at a minimum, having some sort of large ice mold can be a great addition to your in-house bar. Check out some options here!
#10) The Right Glassware. Glassware may seem like a catch-all for a whole host of tools, and yeah you're right it is. Look at you being right! But, you don't need to have every glass under the sun. Honestly, most at-home bartenders can get by with just a few select glasses. First, you'll want a Collins glass which is a taller glass that is more on the skinny side; another tall glass to have is a high-ball glass (tall and a bit fatter than the Collins glass, but has a great personality). For special occasions, you might break out a flute glass for champagne or a French 75, but you could also get by using a stemless wine glass for those as well. Then, you've got your shorter glasses - specifically, you'll want a low-ball glass (sometimes called a rocks glass), which will be your conduit for old fashioneds, manhattans, and negronis. Last but not least, you'll want a couple of cocktail-specific glasses like a martini glass, margarita glass, and manhattan glass... of course, you can always just go with whatever glasses you have on hand, but the right glassware adds a nice touch to your at-home bar!
A couple of honorable mentions... a good Spotify playlist and a positive attitude. Jk just the playlist will do.
Have fun and drink responsibly!
Have fun and drink responsibly!
