The One Piece Of Cocktail-Making Equipment You Really Should Own
Setting up a home bar is as exciting as it is intimidating if you aren't familiar with all the equipment. Between muddlers, shakers, and fancy bar spoons, it can be challenging to figure out what is actually needed and what is just going to collect dust somewhere. Thankfully, we reached out to cocktail maker extraordinaire Jordan Hughes. As the author of "Twist: Your Guide to Creating Inspired Craft Cocktails" and founder of High-Proof Preacher, Hughes is uniquely qualified to speak about what is necessary for your bar and what is just fluff.
Some equipment might make things slightly easier when making a cocktail, but there is one thing no home bartender should be without. Hughes said, "I do highly recommend having a good jigger that has ¼ oz, ½ oz and ¾ oz increments though, as this will help you be more precise when building each recipe and can adjust ratios accordingly." Getting your ratios right can make or break a spirited drink, so it makes perfect sense that this simple measuring device would be highly recommended by an expert.
Of course, that doesn't mean you can't add more flare to your bar. While they aren't the most essential items on your shopping list, there are some things that could be useful besides a jigger. Depending on the kind of cocktails you plan on making most and how you like to present them, there might even be one beneficial device you hadn't considered putting on your bar at all.
Cocktail equipment that is nice to have
Sure, throwing your cocktails like a seasoned mixologist is impressive, but it is far from mandatory. Still, if that is something you are into, you will want a quality cocktail shaker. However, Hughes recommended an alternative if you simply want to make a drink. He said, "Having a cocktail shaker is helpful, but you can also get by with a mason jar + lid. Same goes for a mixing glass: you can any sort of wide-based vessel (a coffee French press works great here)." Just one more use for a French press other than making coffee.
Some home mixologists debate whether or not cocktail garnishes are necessary. Whether they are or not depends on who you ask, but no one can claim they don't add a certain je ne sais quoi to a perfectly crafted alcoholic beverage. They add visual appeal to the drink and clue you into what's inside – aside from being fun to make! Hughes had a recommendation for a specific piece of garnishing equipment he is a fan of. He said, "When it comes to garnishing, a Boska cheese knife makes amazing orange or lemon twists that are nice and thick, and also provides protection for your fingers." You can get away with saving some dough by purchasing only a jigger to get you by, but for a few extra bucks, you can have a little more fun when entertaining guests at your home bar.