Everything You Need for a Perfect Home Bar Setup
Updated: Apr. 22, 2024
From cocktail-making tools to storage solutions, these are the items you need for a solid home bar setup.
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Cocktail Shaker
This stainless steel cocktail shaker ($36) is so eye-catching, you’ll want to set it out for display even when you’re not using it. The embossed sides are not only stylish, but also provide extra grip. Use the shaker to mix up fancy whiskey cocktails for your guests.
Cocktail Strainer
The Hawthorne stainless steel bar strainer ($17) fits most cocktail shakers, pint glasses and mixing glasses. A strainer will come in handy for cocktails served up (that’s chilled and strained into a glass without ice), like a classic sidecar.
Bar Spoon
Having a stainless steel bar spoon ($6) is ideal for concocting cocktails that are stirred, such as a mojito. The length of the spoon makes it easy to reach the depths of most glassware and the spiral pattern encourages a smooth circular motion when stirring. What is a bar spoon—and why is it twisted?
Channel Knife
You can’t make fancy citrus peel garnishes without a channel knife. The OXO Good Grips zester ($9) doubles as both a zester and a channel knife, making it a multipurpose tool in your kitchen and bar. Test your zesting skills with this Orange Razzletini cocktail.
Muddler
A classic old-fashioned cocktail begins with muddling a little fruit. A Wisconsin favorite, the brandy old-fashioned sweet should be a staple in your bartending book. This mako wood muddler ($8) can be used on both the rounded and flat ends.
Jigger
The jigger is an indispensable tool when it comes to making cocktails. The top-rated OXO double jigger ($10) has 1-1/2 ounce and 1 ounce measurements. The 1-1/2 ounce side has increments marked at 3/4 and 1/3 ounces, while the 1 ounce side has increments marked at 1/4 and 1/2 ounces.
Psst! All these are great, but do you know why bar and restaurant drinks always outshine whatever mixers you stir together yourself? Get a cocktail smoker and never worry about it again.
Ice Bucket
This gorgeous copper ice bucket ($46) would make for an elegant display at any cocktail party. It has a three-liter capacity and double-walled construction to keep the ice intact all night long. Impress your guests even more with one of these fancy ice cube tricks.
Swizzle Sticks
One of these reusable stainless steel Prodyne swizzle sticks ($15) would look fabulous with an olive garnish in a perfect dirty martini. This set of six has classy decorative heads to keep track of who’s drinking what.
Fancy Ice Cube Trays
Single ice cubes make for a magnificent presentation when serving bourbon or whiskey on the rocks. This silicone ice cube tray set ($12) features both spherical and large square molds. Plus, no more complaints of watered-down drinks.
Tumblers
Alternately called rocks, old-fashioned or lowball glasses, these short tumblers are often used to serve cocktails with muddled ingredients or for neat pours of liquor such as scotch or whiskey. This lovely Williams Sonoma old-fashioned glass set ($52) is both durable and dishwasher-safe.
Martini Glasses
Whether you prefer your martini shaken or stirred, this Threshold martini glass set ($15) is what you need to pour it in. Not only are these martini glasses perfectly-sized, but they are also dishwasher-safe.
Highball Glasses
Highball glasses are used for cocktails with a high proportion of a non-alcoholic mixer (such as club soda or fruit juice) that are served over ice. Add some style to your Salty Dog with this highball glass set ($48), which features whimsical patterns.
Wine Glasses
Red wine glasses have a larger bowl to accommodate swirling and aerating the wine. White wine glasses feature a smaller opening, which helps prevent the wine from oxidizing. This Libbey wine glass set ($32) is perfect for hosting a wine tasting. This set features six red and six white wine glasses. P.S. If you think a glass of wine is best savored slowly, you might also want to get an insulated wine tumbler.
Follow these tips to host a wine tasting party like a pro.
Champagne Flutes
The thin shape of champagne flutes helps sparkling wines maintain their bubbles and prevents them from going flat too quickly. This Lenox champagne flute set ($54) is great for any special occasion (or just for sharing a champagne cocktail at a Sunday brunch).
Here’s how to set up a self-serve champagne bar with sparkling wine, mixers and garnishes.
Bar Cart
Setting up a DIY cocktail station is a breeze with this gorgeous wood bar cart ($200). Three shelves offer plenty of room for glassware and your favorite liquors (what’s the difference between liquor and liqueur anyway?) and mixers. There is also space to hold nine bottles of wine.
Bar Cabinet
If pets or curious children make open storage impractical, consider a bar cabinet. This mid-century bar cabinet ($799) features two shelves behind each door and space for both glassware and wine storage. Looking for more home bar advice? Here are our essential tips for an awesome home bar.
Originally Published: November 07, 2019
