10 Items You Need in Your Home Bar

You do not need a huge bar setup at home. You also do not need every tool you see behind a professional bar. A few useful items can cover most drinks you want to make.

The best home bar is simple and easy to use. Start with the basics, then add more items as you learn what you like to make.

1. Cocktail Shaker

A cocktail shaker is one of the first tools to get. It helps you mix drinks that use juice, syrup, or other ingredients. A good shaker is easy to hold and clean.

You can use it for drinks such as Margaritas, Daiquiris, and Martinis.

2. Bottle Opener

A bottle opener is a small tool, but you will use it often. Keep one in your home bar so you do not have to look for one when opening a bottle.

A simple metal bottle opener is enough for most home bars.

3. Corkscrew

If you enjoy wine, a corkscrew is a must. It lets you open wine bottles without damaging the cork.

Choose one that feels strong and easy to use. A basic waiter style corkscrew works well and does not take much space.

4. Jigger

A jigger helps you measure your drinks. This is useful when a recipe calls for one ounce, two ounces, or another exact amount.

Measuring your ingredients also helps keep the taste of your drink the same each time.

5. Bar Spoon

A bar spoon is made for stirring drinks. Its long handle makes it easy to reach the bottom of a tall glass.

You can use it for simple mixed drinks, cocktails, and layered drinks.

6. Ice Bucket

Ice is a basic part of many drinks. An ice bucket gives you a clean place to keep ice close to your bar.

It is also useful when you are making drinks for several people. You can keep extra ice nearby instead of walking back to the freezer each time.

7. Ice Bags

Ice bags can be useful when you are having a party or serving drinks to a group. They give you extra ice when the ice tray or freezer cannot keep up.

Keep a few ice bags ready when you know you will have guests.

8. Drink Glasses

You do not need every type of glass to start a home bar. A few basic glasses can cover many drinks.

Highball glasses, rocks glasses, and wine glasses are good starting choices. Add other types later if you find that you need them.

9. Cocktail Salts

Cocktail salts can add extra flavor to drinks. They are often used around the rim of glasses for drinks such as Margaritas and Micheladas.

You can keep one or two flavors at home and try them with different drinks.

10. Bottle Pourers

Bottle pourers can make pouring easier and more controlled. They are useful when you want to add a small amount of a spirit, syrup, or other liquid.

They can also help reduce spills around your bar.

Keep Your Home Bar Simple

Setting up a home bar does not have to be expensive or complicated. Start with the tools you use most. A shaker, opener, jigger, spoon, ice, glasses, and a few extras can cover a lot of drinks.

As you make more cocktails, you will learn which tools you actually need. Build your home bar around your own drinking habits rather than buying everything at once.