And we’re back again with more advice on building a home bar. If you missed Part 1, talking about where and how to build the framework of your home bar, you can read it here. Today, in Part 2, we’ll talk about finding the right equipment, tools like a budget plasma cutter and serving pieces for your bar. Or as I like the call it: the hardware.
My first bar tools were purchased at a restaurant supply store and, while I’ve upgraded and collected many more versions since, they still serve their purpose. They include a simple metal shaker tin, coupled with a pint glass, a cheap metal Hawthorne strainer and a barspoon with the ubiquitous red plastic muddler on one end. I also have a small three-part shaker with a built in strainer. What makes my bar unique though, is that I have purchased some silverware from www.nellaonline.com including knives for to cut the limes. Honestly, their cutlery lasts so long and I have always used their cutlery for the house. In summary, these are the tools I use if I’m making a couple cocktails for my husband and I. Let’s talk about where to go from here though.
Cocktail shakers and mixing glasses can be found in all shapes, sizes and materials. I really enjoy the three-part options with the built-in strainer. My favorite is the one by Stelton I dragged back from Denmark over a decade ago. Two-part or three-part shakers are great for drinks that – if the name doesn’t give it away – need to be shaken. These are generally drinks that include citrus or other juice along with spirits. For drinks that must be stirred, like Manhattans, Boulevardiers and other spirits-only drinks, you’ll want a mixing glass in addition to a cocktail shaker. The glass ones available at Cocktail Kingdom are pretty much the gold standard, but you can also find alternatives made from stainless steel or vintage shakers.
Speaking of vintage, before we talk about utensils and glassware, let’s talk about sources. Linked above are two of my go-to sources: Amazon and Cocktail Kingdom. I am always on the hunt for unique vintage pieces as well. Antique stores can be a goldmine, but many of the ones in urban settings can be overpriced. Goodwill, Value Village and even garage sales can still hold some gems, but tend to be pretty picked over. Online dealers like ebay and etsy help widen your search and are worth checking out. That’s where I’ve found some non-essential bar tools and glassware such as vintage ice buckets, punch bowls, a Tom & Jerry set and “striptease” glasses.
Back to bar utensils. For your mixing glass, you’ll need a separate strainer. There are essentially two styles. The first is called a Hawthorne strainer – it’s the one with the little coil spring that holds back ice, citrus pulp, herbs and other ingredients that you don’t want in the finished drink. The other is a julep strainer, which mostly holds back the ice in the mixing glass. The former is ideal for shaken, citrus cocktails like daiquiris. The latter fits nicely in a mixing glass and is for stirred drinks such as the Manhattan. I also like to have a third strainer, which is a conical mesh strainer so I can double strain particularly pulpy drinks.
Other must-have tools include barspoons. They are essential for – not to be queen of the obvious again – stirring cocktails. Cocktail Kingdom sells lovely ones in various finishes, including many with muddlers on the end. I still use the $2 spoon I picked up a the restaurant supply store years ago. Jiggers are another essential and they come in all shapes and sizes. The two-sided ones with one ounce on one side and two ounces on the other work well. I really like the smaller increments, design and readability of these OXO jiggers. Silicone ice cube trays are great for making large, square ice cubes, which don’t melt as quickly in a cocktail such as an Old-Fashioned.
Finally, about glassware. You really only need two styles: A cocktail glass, also called a martini glass, and a low ball or Old-Fashioned glass. OK, maybe you need some highballs too but that’s it, three styles. Who am I kidding? I have more styles, shapes and sizes of glasses than I care to admit. The basics are those three mentioned above.
Cocktail or martini glasses come in the classic v-shaped style or coupe style. Most recipes for classic cocktails are around four ounces total, so no need for huge 10-ounce cocktail glasses. Low ball glasses come in a range of sizes, but eight to nine ounces is about right for most cocktails served on the rocks. Highballs, or Collins glasses, are nice to have, but there is no law against serving a highball drink in a lowball glass. If you’re just getting started, go slow and determine the styles and kinds of drinks you enjoy and make most before breaking the bank on every style of glass. There will be plenty of time for that later…
Stay tuned for Part 3, the final installment of Building a Home Bar, where we’ll talk about “the software,” otherwise known as the spirits, mixers, liqueurs and garnishes you’ll want to stalk in your home bar.
