Must Have Bar Tools

Apparently one of the keys to successful cocktail making is having the right bar tools. A few weeks ago to celebrate our anniversary, we decided to take a cocktail making course at Shelter, a cocktail bar here, in Calgary.

We have slowly been collecting them to add to our home bar. These new tools has inspired us to try making more cocktails at home, click here to check out some of our better recipes.

Below is a list of our must have bar tools. Any of these make a great gift for the cocktail enthusiast in your life. So, here they are, in no particular order.

Jigger

Making a cocktail that tastes great, requires precise measuring of all its ingredients. A jigger is to cocktails what a measuring cup is to cookies. So, you need one. Click here to purchase.

Strainer

Once you have shaken your cocktail, it should be strained. Not only does is prevent impurities from getting in your drink, it also prevents dilution by controlling the amount of ice that melts. And we all know that a diluted cocktail can be terrible. Click here to purchase.

Muddler

Do you know why bartenders favor a wooden muddler? It’s because wodden muddlers don’t transfer the harsh cold of ice like metal ones do. So, they protect bartenders’ hands from numbing.  Click here to purchase.

Bar Spoon

A bar spoon must be two things: long and twisted.  The length is to make sure it can reach the bottom and ensure that all ingredients are well mixed. Click here to purchase.

Giant Ice Cube Mold

You don’t need giant ice cubes to make a great cocktail, but it’s great for presentation. These days you can get ice molds in all shapes and sized. Click here to purchase.

Citrus Juicer

Another key to a great cocktail, is using the freshest possible ingredients. A common ingredient is citrus juice of some variety,, most often lemon or lime. Click here to purchase.

Shaker

For any home bartender, a cocktail shaker is a must. It’s an essential tool for cocktail making. A stirred cocktail just won’t taste the same. Click here to purchase.

Bitters

What are bitters and what are they used for? More literally speaking, bitters are a liquid extraction of seeds, herbs, bark, roots, flowers, leaves and fruit of various plants. They are highly concentrated and are used by the dash to flavor cocktails. Click here to purchase.

Cocktail Mixing Glass

Not all cocktails are meant to be shaken, some are to be stirred. So, you need a vessel to hold the liquids. Lucky for you, a cocktail mixing glass can hold this liquid and look good at the same time. Click here to purchase.

Cocktail Glasses

When it comes to cocktail glasses, there are so many options. Two of our favorites are the Coupe and the Nick and Nora.

Click here to purchase Coupe glasses.

Click here to purchase the Nick and Nora glasses.

Bar Mat

Safety first, always. To prevent slipping of wet glasses on your counter, get yourself a bar mat. Click here to purchase.

Reusable Straws

To ensure a quality cocktail, straws are a must. Do your part for the environment and get reusable ones. Click here to purchase.

Finally, put your tools to use by making one of our tried and true cocktail recipes. Once you have, let us know what you think!

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