Although drinking in a public place might seem exciting, you will likely have to put up with someone breathing down your neck while you overpour your scotch soda and spill it all over their shoes. Despite the fact that we can admire bartenders' skills or say, "This one's on me," to a stunning stranger, it's not a social custom we enjoy to experience all the time. In a parallel universe, there won't be any aggressive spitting or cursing, no stern rejections, and no heartbreaks in your at-home bar; the only person to be amazed at is you, the home bartender.
If the lack of a home bar is your only issue, you only need the necessary equipment; no room is required. Start off simply with cocktail books and whiskey or vodka glasses. Even bartending kits are available to help you learn the concoction techniques you'll need for a lifetime of homemade Negronis. Your home bar will quickly become a haven for skilled, like-minded mixologists who are excellent at throwing cosy cocktail parties.
Boston Shaker
A Boston Shaker is a two-part cocktail shaker that consists of a glass and a metal tin at its most basic level. A 16 oz. mixing glass and a 28 oz. metal shaker container are a helpful and popular set. It is perhaps the bar's most frequently used item. It is made of two sections that fit into each other to make a tight seal to prevent liquid from sputtering everywhere: a rattling tin and a smaller metal tin.
Jigger
Any good cocktail starts with science more than art. It is impossible to assure uniformity or get the proper balance if you only measure the pegs by eye. By knowing how much alcohol is in your drink, a jigger promotes responsible drinking. The tiny and large measures of a jigger are typically joined together in the middle. For greater accuracy, go for a taller, narrower jigger with internal markings.
Mixing Beaker
Any bar needs this equipment. In essence, it's a sizable container into which you pour your liquors and mix your cocktail. Martinis and Manhattans, which are entirely made of booze or extremely mild mixers, should be stirred in a mixing glass as opposed to shaken to prevent foaming or clouding. Glass mixing beakers are more common than metal ones since they are a superior insulator and let your guests see the cocktail being created within. Just make sure it has a pour spout so you can serve the drink by pouring it all into a glass rather than the floor.
Bitter Bottle
There is a proverb that states bitters are to cocktails what salt and pepper are to food. A glass bitter bottle is the ideal way to store and serve homemade bitters, tinctures, and other liquid extracts and aromatics if you enjoy cocktails like the Old Fashioned and Manhattan. Choose one with a dropper so you can precisely manage how much liquid bitters you add as you mix your drink.
Muddler
A muddler, which is essentially a bartender's pestle, is used to smash bits of fruit, herbs, and other ingredients into the beverage. Some of the most well-known cocktails, like the caipirinha, mojito, and old-fashioned, are frequently made with it. Muddlers can be made of wood, plastic, or stainless steel, among other materials. Choose a wooden one that hasn't been coated or varnished. And size really does matter. A muddler that can reach the bottom of a tumbler, cocktail shaker, or mixing pitcher is what you want.
Decanter
Displaying your liquor in its original bottles is perfectly acceptable. In actuality, some bottles resemble masterpieces. However, there are instances when you require something to both energise and elevate your spirit. A full-bodied wine can "open up" by being exposed to oxygen by being decanted. It also removes sediments. At your next cocktail party, invest in a gorgeous one to spark some conversation.