10 Items You Need for Your Home Bar

I ran across an article on line about this topic and for the most part I agreed. However I did have a few exceptions and additions. I also get asked this question very often by my group of Usual Suspects so here is my version of 10 things you need for your home bar.

1. Good Measuring Devices.



I really like the stainless variety with a jigger on one end and a 3/4 oz. on the other. I like have at least a couple on hand to make life easier. By measuring you also will make more enjoyable cocktails.

2. Pour Spouts.

Pour spouts not only make you look more professional, but will also speed up  your delivery.

3.  Ice


Whether you have an ice machine (the real best option) or you use ice cube molds it is imperative that you have an ample supply of ice. I have and really like the two types I show above as they are great in different cocktails and keep you drink from watering down.

3. Sodastream



I cannot count the number of people that I have started using this amazing product. You will always be prepared for any type of mixer with this device and you can easily store dozens of different mixers in a very small amount of space.

4. Cocktail Shakers


I really prefer the type with the strainer built into the cap and all stainless versions. You can really chill a cocktail and both feel and see as you approach maximum cold. I would also recommend purchasing several of the exact same type so you do not need to be looking for a lid while have several orders in the pipe.

5. Fruit Squeezer


I have a couple of different types of these and thy are great for making any cocktail that calls for fruit juice. Remember fresh juice makes for a great cocktail.

6. Garnish Caddy

Never under estimate the need to garnish your drinks with fresh fruit. It will greatly improve your cocktails and add to the aesthetic value as well.

7.  Cocktail Spoon



Not only will a good cocktail spoon be functional when stirring Manhattans and Martinis, it will also look very professional.

8. Muddler




A muddler is essential for making Manhattans, Mojitos and Mint Juleps.

9. Copper Mugs


While this may not be essential, you will not believe all the individuals that enjoy a Moscow Mule will complain if their drink is not served in a copper mug.

10. Uniform Glass Ware


From shot glasses to martini glasses your drinks to those sitting at your side of the bar will be impressed if your glasses all match. Experiment a bit as you are out on the town to see what type you like using the best.

Well there you have it 10 items you should be stocking in your home bar. Of course there are many, many more, but you get the idea. All of these can be found on line doing just a little research.

Cheers
The Professor



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Riding the Rails, Clickety Clack

Image
A few weeks back we took the Amtrak from K.C. to Naperville Ill. and as usual we had a great time. If you have never taken the opportunity to travel by train you do not know what you are missing. I recommend for your first trip nothing over four hours just in case you may not enjoy train travel. Also this will keep the price at a minimum and I recommend choosing your travel dates that are not during the peek seasons. (From around June 15th to August 15th.) to avoid high ticket prices You will be pleasantly surprised by the size of the train cars and the size of the seats. The cars are two levels with the lower level where you put your luggage when boarding, handicap seating and the rest room/changing rooms. We generally sit in the club car (now called the observation car) where they have many booths and seats and then entire care is plexieglass so you can see the beautiful sites as you travel. You can even carry on your own food and drinks and yes this means you can carry on your own
Read more

A Spittoon and a Blanket

Yes, what I really meant was a chamber pot; however at one in the morning staging down the long dim hallway with the creaky wooden floors and facing the long stairway down to the bathroom spittoon was all I could think of. The evening started innocent enough as we were traversing the interstate from K.C. MO to NW Iowa for a visit. I did not have a drink until after 5:00 and I was not driving, but as usually I never went anywhere without my trusty ten shot flask. That day it was loaded with Buffalo Trace Bourbon. By the way it had been awhile since I had imbibed in Buffalo Trace and I had forgotten how good it was. We arrived at the farm and continued happy hour. As the night progressed I opened the new bottle of Four Roses (the official Bourbon of MySideOfTheBar) that Central Patti had purchased as part of a case and kept drinking throughout the night. As the night progressed and the bottle emptied we headed up the afore mentioned stairs and to bed. I woke a couple of hours later a
Read more

The Key West Cocktail Challenge

Image
Recently we were on the road with MySideOfTheBar in Key West with a couple of "Unusual Suspect" friends of ours. As you might expect we were in a bar when A.S. found a brochure for the Key West Cocktail Challenge. Also as you might expect we took up the challenge. The premise was easy, visit 6 participating bars, enjoy their signature cocktail and you get a T-Shirt. You can visit them in any order and take as long as you need to. (you could even do it in 6 days, but...) I am not going to try to describe each bar as you can follow the links to see and learn more. The first stop was The Green Parrot Bar . The Green Parrot is an open air old school bar that I absolutely loved. Their signature drink was Root Beer Barrel and at least two of us liked it ;) Stop two took us to Charlie Mac's and beside the great Signature Drink, it is also a BBQ joint. We only had the chicken wings, however they were awesome. The drink here was the Huckleberry Lemonade and I have to
Read more