Last week, we talked about the liquors, mixers, and garnishes every home bar should have. Today, we’ll be discussing bar accessories: the tools you’ll need to make the perfect drinks for your guests – and yourself!
Cocktail Shaker
Combining ingredients into a glass and swirling them with a spoon doesn’t have the same effect as using a cocktail shaker, which blends all of a drink’s components to create one cohesive flavor. The shaking also aerates the alcohol, making it less potent and more drinkable.
Our Pick: OXO Steel Single Wall Cocktail Shaker ($22.99, shop here)
Jiggers
For measuring purposes and consistency, you’ll need a few jiggers with different volume allowances. Jiggers also help you practice pouring the right amount of each alcohol so that you can eventually just eyeball it like a professional!
Our Pick: Tezzorio Stainless-Steel Double Jiggers Set of 3 ($13.88, shop here)
Cocktail Strainer
Sometimes, cocktail recipes call for the use of a strainer, which helps gently hold back the ice cubes from being poured into the glass. A strainer can also remove broken leaves or fruit from a muddled cocktail.
Our Pick: OXO Steel Cocktail Strainer ($9.99, shop here)
Muddler
Muddlers are great for lightly crushing cocktail ingredients like fruits, peels, and herbs. Think about it: Without muddled cherry and orange peel, an old-fashioned would taste incredibly different.
Our Pick: A Bar Above Wooden Cocktail Muddler ($17.99, shop here)
Corkscrew
Opening a bottle of wine should not take five minutes; it should be done in under 15 seconds. And the last thing you want is cork floating around in your nice bottle of wine! And if you think automatic wine openers are too expensive, think again!
Our Pick: Secura Electric Wine Opener ($26.99, shop here)
Juicer
A handheld juicer is a must if you’re making drinks that require natural squeezed juices from fruits such as lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruits.
Our Pick: Chef’n FreshForce Citrus Juicer ($24.99, shop here)
Did we miss any must-have bar accessories? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!