How to Equip a Home Bar

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Make sure you have a heavy-duty blender for cracking ice cubes and crushing ice if you plan to serve frozen drinks.
Step 2

Buy a cocktail shaker and coil-rimmed strainer for mixing drinks. A plain metal shaker is best for beginners since it can take more of a beating.
Step 3

Get at least one of each kind of jigger, the little cups used to measure drinks. A two-sided jigger has a 1-oz. measure on one side and a 1 1/2-oz. measure on the other side, while a one-sided jigger has 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 and 1-oz. measures.
Step 4

Get at least two bar spoons with long handles for stirring drinks, plus a set of measuring spoons for measuring salt, sugar and bitters.
Step 5

Purchase either a waiter corkscrew, which fits in a pocket, or the easier-to-use winged corkscrew.
Step 6

Make sure you have a wooden muddler on hand for crushing herbs and sugars if you plan to make juleps or old-fashioneds.
Step 7

Buy an electric juicer if you want to use only fresh juice.
Step 8

Choose fun cocktail picks and the cocktail napkins on hand.

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