Get a lil’ tipsy- CHRISTMAS COCKTAILS/ BARWARE ESSENTIALS

Written By Brit Nelson

This one's for y'all because I don’t drink. (Besides college and that doesn’t really count) I can respect that drinking is very much steeped in tradition and I do love a beautiful bar or beverage station. Setting up a well-stocked bar with essential barware can elevate your home entertaining experience and allow you to craft a variety of delicious cocktails. Here’s a guide to the essential barware you should consider:


 

SHAKER SET

  • Cocktail Shaker: Essential for mixing cocktails by shaking ingredients with ice. Choose from a Boston shaker (two-piece), cobbler shaker (three-piece), or a French shaker (two-piece with a different design).

  • Strainer: Used to strain cocktails when pouring from the shaker into the glass. Hawthorne strainers are common, with a spring coil that filters out ice and other solids.


MIXING GLASS & BAR SPOON

  • Mixing Glass: An alternative to a cocktail shaker for stirring drinks, especially those that are spirit-forward like Martinis or Manhattans.

  • Bar Spoon: A long-handled spoon used for stirring cocktails in the mixing glass. It often has a twisted handle to facilitate smooth stirring.


MEASURING TOOLS

  • Jigger: Essential for accurate measurement of spirits and other ingredients. Jiggers typically come in various sizes (e.g., 1 oz / 2 oz) or are double-sided (e.g., 1 oz / 1.5 oz).

  • Measuring Cup: A versatile tool for measuring larger quantities of mixers or juices.


CITRUS TOOLS

  • Citrus Juice: Manual or electric juicer for fresh citrus juice, essential for many classic cocktails.

  • Channel Knife or Zester: For garnishing cocktails with citrus twists or creating zest for added flavor.


    GLASSWARE

  •  Highball Glasses: Tall glasses used for highball cocktails like a Gin and Tonic or a Mojito.

  • Old Fashioned Glasses: Short, sturdy glasses used for spirit-forward cocktails like an Old Fashioned or a Negroni.

  • Martini Glasses: Iconic stemmed glasses used for serving Martinis and other cocktails without ice.


ICE TOOLS

  • Ice Bucket and Tongs: For storing and serving ice cubes or crushed ice.

  • Lewis Bag and Mallet (optional): Used for crushing ice if making crushed ice cocktails.


MUDDLER

  • Muddler: Used to mash ingredients like herbs, fruits, or sugar cubes in the bottom of a glass to release their flavors, essential for drinks like Mojitos or Old Fashioneds.


GARNISH TOOLS

  • Paring Knife: For cutting garnishes like citrus twists or fruit slices.

  • Cocktail Picks: Used for spearing garnishes or serving small appetizers alongside drinks.


BAR TOWELS & CLEANING SUPPLIES

  • Bar Towels: Absorbent towels for cleaning spills and wiping down barware.

  • Cleaning Brushes: Small brushes for cleaning shaker lids, strainers, and other hard-to-reach areas.


OPTIONAL EXTRAS

  • Wine Opener: Essential if serving wine or sparkling wine.

  • Bottle Opener: For opening beer bottles or twist-off caps.

  • Electric Blender: Useful for blending frozen cocktails or fruit purees.


Having these essential barware items on hand will enable you to mix a wide range of cocktails and entertain guests with style. Start with the basics and gradually add specialized tools based on your cocktail preferences and skill level. Cheers to crafting delicious drinks at home!

Stocking your bar with essential liquors ensures you're prepared to mix a variety of classic cocktails and cater to different tastes. Here’s a list of standard liquors that form the foundation of a well-stocked bar:


Vodka

  • Uses: Vodka is versatile and forms the base of many cocktails due to its neutral flavor.

  • Examples: Ketel One, Absolut, Grey Goose.

Gin

  • Uses: Essential for classic cocktails like Martinis and Gin & Tonics.

  • Examples: Tanqueray, Bombay Sapphire, Hendrick's.

Rum

  • Uses: Used in tropical cocktails and classics like Mojitos and Daiquiris.

  • Examples: Bacardi Superior (white), Mount Gay Eclipse (gold).


Tequila

  • Uses: Essential for Margaritas and other tequila-based cocktails.

  • Examples: Blanco (Silver) Tequila such as Patrón Silver, Reposado Tequila like El Jimador.

Whiskey

  • Bourbon: Essential for classics like Old Fashioned and Whiskey Sour.

  • Scotch: Used in Rob Roy and Rusty Nail.

  • Examples: Maker's Mark (Bourbon), Glenfiddich (Scotch).

Brandy/Cognac

  • Uses: Used in cocktails like Sidecar and Brandy Alexander.

  • Examples: Hennessy (Cognac), E&J (Brandy).

Liqueurs

  • Triple Sec: Used in Margaritas and many other cocktails.

  • Campari: Essential for Negroni.

  • Examples: Cointreau, Grand Marnier (Triple Sec), Campari.

Vermouth

  • Uses: Essential for classic cocktails like Martini and Manhattan.

  • Examples: Martini & Rossi (Dry Vermouth), Dolin (Sweet Vermouth).

Bitters

  • Uses: Used to add complexity and flavor to cocktails.

  • Examples: Angostura Bitters, Peychaud's Bitters.

Tips for Stocking:

  • Quality over Quantity: Start with a few high-quality bottles before expanding your selection.

  • Versatility: Choose liquors that can be used in multiple cocktails to maximize utility.

  • Personal Taste: Consider your preferences and the preferences of your guests when selecting brands and types.

By having these standard liquors in your stocked bar, you'll be ready to mix a wide range of cocktails, from classics to modern favorites, ensuring your guests have a memorable drinking experience. I’ll have to do another one on mocktails so guests like myself can drink something other than sparkling water! 

XOXO-

Brit 

Brit Nelson http://www.britnelson.com
Next

UNTRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS DECOR