If you’re looking for the perfect night out, how about staying in? It’s easy to create the perfect evening ambiance with curated martinis mixed right at your dinner table. Entertain your friends with a board game night or have freshly blended beverages on the patio in the summer evening.
You’re sure to impress your guests with just a few essentials in your home bar. Get ready to expand your social network by entertaining at home like an expert! Here are a few items to add to your home bar so you can shake and mix like a true pro.
Table of Contents
1. The Cocktail Shaker
Some people call it a mixer; others call it a shaker. This is your go-to for blending the perfect martini – but it has so many other uses beyond that. The perfect shaker is a great investment because you can also use it to make iced coffee, iced tea, lattes, lemonades, or other healthy beverages.
Impress your friends with a shaker that does it all. Here are some features to look for in the perfect shaker:
-
- Vacuum-insulated: You should invest in a vacuum-insulated shaker if you want to get that optimal chill factor. Vacuum insulation technology uses double-wall construction to prevent heat transfer.
- Stainless steel: Shakers come in many materials, but the most functional is stainless steel. This type of shaker is easier to wash, won’t rust, and offers a sleek look.
- Three pieces: Look for a shaker that has three components: the mixing tin, a strainer, and a cap. This way, you can easily make any cocktail or refreshing beverage.
The perfect shaker is durable, easy to use, and easy to wash!
2. The Muddler
Another bar essential you’ll need to have on hand is the muddler. If you ever use a mortar and pestle to crush herbs and spices, it’s the same idea (and actually, you can use either of them for the purpose of crushing a mix for drinks). A muddler helps you mash those mint leaves for the perfect mojito or stir that vitamin-rich fruit in your sangria. Finding the perfect one is easy.
- Material: The options are generally wood, nylon, and stainless steel. Our pick for durability is stainless steel, but wood and nylon are more gentle if you happen to be using delicate glassware.
- Length and weight: Make sure your muddler is long enough to reach the bottom of the glass and heavy enough to mix without using excessive force.
- The head: Check and see if the head of the muddler includes features like teeth, ridges, or textured patterning. These can help you achieve the perfect mix!
If possible, try out some different muddlers to see which one you prefer. You can also read the reviews before you purchase or ask your local bartender for a recommendation.
3. Bar Spoon and Swizzle Sticks
Alongside your muddler, you’ll want to choose the perfect bar spoon for casual mixing and some classy swizzle sticks to keep on hand for your guests.
- The bar spoon: You’ll need a bar spoon for mixing drinks so that your beverage doesn’t separate and your fruit doesn’t sink to the bottom. Choose a bar spoon that has enough length to reach the bottom of a large pitcher and go with a classic stainless for easy cleaning and durability.
- Swizzle sticks: You can really have some fun with swizzle sticks! You can change them with the season (think seahorse swizzles for summer!), and your guests will love the additional touch of their own swizzle.
Display your bar spoon and swizzle sticks on your bar in a stained glass vase or other holder. Here are some amazing serving bowls and platters that will help create the perfect image.
4. The Ice Bucket
This one can really add some class to your bar. Finding the perfect ice bucket to chill your white wine or champagne means you won’t be running back and forth to the fridge, and you can spend more time with your guests.
- Material: There are endless options! Stainless steel, copper, marble, wood, glass, and acrylic. Our favorite is copper for a classic look, but you can choose a material that suits your bar and adds a bit of personal flair.
- Handles: Look for a bucket with handles for ease of movement if you plan on carrying your bucket back and forth.
- Cleaning: Before you purchase, do a bit of extra investigation on how to clean your ice bucket. If you choose a copper bucket (and if it is real copper), you might need to do a bit of legwork when it comes to cleaning.
Now that we’ve covered a classic essential, it’s time to pair it with its modern counterpart and really wow that crowd with your pro setup!
5. The Portable Ice Maker
You may have already experienced the magic of a portable ice maker on a boat or in a camper trailer – but it’s perfect for your home bar as well. It’s exactly what it sounds like. Instead of running out for bags of ice before a gathering, you’ll have a constant flow of ice on hand with this amazing invention.
There are plug-in and battery-operated versions, and here are a few perks of each:
- Plug-in: Your standard plug-in ice machine produces more ice faster than its battery-operated counterpart. You’ll need space to park it and a source of electricity.
- Battery-operated: The battery-operated ice maker is great if you need something you can carry with you. It’s typically smaller and produces less ice than the plug-in version.
Before you decide which version works for your setup, consider how and where you’ll use it most. Then, sit back and impress your guests!
6. A Blender or Juicer
URL: https://pixabay.com/photos/lemon-squeezer-lemon-juice-citrus-609273/
Depending on what beverages you plan to serve your guests, you may want to invest in a quality blender or at least a simple juicer for your home bar. Here’s how to choose:
- Best for making mixers: A simple citrus juicer is easy to store and pull out when you need it for your Gimlets or London Mules.
- Best for slushies, smoothies, and more: A blender is more suitable for experimenting with margaritas or pina coladas.
For a functional bar, it’s a good idea to keep both on hand. If you don’t have the space for a full blender at your bar, you can find a small hand-held version that does the trick for most basic drink mixes.
7. Bottle Openers and Corkscrews
This is the final touch! Choose a fun bottle opener or two that shows off your personality and hang it conveniently where you mix and open your bottles. As for corkscrews, the options are endless:
- Lever or not? You’ll find that there is an array of corkscrews on the market with levers or batteries that promise easier opening. This type of corkscrew has its purpose, and it looks impressive! The downside? It does take up room and, in general, it isn’t as durable.
- Back to basics: Most bartenders actually prefer the classic waiter’s corkscrew both for its size and simplicity.
Having a corkscrew on hand is essential for wine night, so choose one that functions well for you.
Mix, Shake, and Wow
Now that your bar is fully stocked, start practicing your bartending skills and keep your favorite recipes close at hand to wow the crowd right at home!
