We know you have a bar tool or two but what if you need a more extensive setup that goes beyond the wine glasses or the whiskey rocks glass? We've put together some of the best of the best barware products out there that focuses on quality, style, and function. Yes, you can have style AND function. Never let anyone tell you differently.
There are some items that we didn't cover in this list because we just feel they may be unnecessary. For instance, while an ice bucket can look cool, it's really unrealistic because you'll have ice melting faster than you can drink, especially if you're using specialty ice such as spheres, cubes, or cocktail ice. We suppose that if you want a small ice bucket to hold a round's worth of ice, that would work but for us, keep the ice where it belongs, in the cocktail glass.
Here are our selections of the best barware you can buy to furnish your home bar cart so you can make the perfect craft cocktail.
The Best Bar Cart
West Elm Mid-Century Bar Cart
You can have all the barware you want but it doesn't mean a thing if you don't have somewhere to store it. Sure, you can put it all in the cupboard but why when you can get this gently-used West Elm Mid-Century Bar cart from Kaiyo? The online pre-loved furniture marketplace plants a tree for every purchase and has kept almost 3 million pieces of furniture out of landfills. It's sort of an online consignment store meets high-end furniture shophh.
The Best Cocktail Shaker
Stainless Steel Boston Shaker
You ever used a cocktail shaker that has the shaker, the lid with a built-in strainer, and that little cap? The problem is once you start shaking it, the cold fuses everything together and you have a heck of a time trying to remove the cap to get the booze out. No need to worry about that with this Crate and Barrel Stainless Steel Boston Shaker. It's a two-piece shaker set that has a large and small shaker that fit together so you can shake like a pro. We love this Boston Shaker so much!
The Best Mixing Glass
Everyday Cut Mixing Glass
Let's say you just DON'T want your drink shaken, but actually stirred. (Sorry Double O 7). We're pretty sure that if James saw this mixing glass, he'd be all over it too. Check out how sexy this mixing glass is though with it's vintage-inspired cuts of diamond patterns. It'll hold up to almost 18 ounces of liquid and ice, perfect for a few rounds of drinks.
The Best Jigger
Premium Japanese Style Double Cocktail Jigger
Sure, you can totally eyeball the cocktail ingredients, but let's first start out with the jigger and precise measurements so you can prove to all your friends what a great mixologist you are. Once you set the tone (and everyone is enjoying the drinks) you can absolutely ditch the jigger and just pour. Until then, use this Japanese Style Double Cocktail Jigger. It's tall, slender, and comes in 1 and 2 ounce options.
The Best Muddler
Hand-Turned Walnut Muddler
Who knew a muddler could be so sexy?! There are tons of muddlers out there, even stainless steel muddlers, but we recommend solid wood. Why? Because it's about style, aesthetics, and mixing of textures. Interior design tricks but in this case, it really is form and function. This Hand-Turned Walnut Muddler from FOOD52 says it all. It's made from black walnut and finished with natural oils and beeswax. You can really crush it (see what we did there) by taking your fresh herbs and fruit to the next level.
The Best Bar Spoon
Tear Drop Bar Spoon
Can we talk about bar spoons please? We were literally today years old when we found this on TikTok. Okay, maybe not today years old, but definitely was a shock and awe moment. Watch the video and tell us that isn't the most amazing thing ever!
@likeablecocktails Reply to @hey_merideth The old Spoon Trick! #drinktok #bartok #cocktailtiktok #bartender #homebar #bartendertips ♬ breadwinner - Kacey Musgraves
Now that you watched the spoon trick, go out and buy this Tear Drop Bar Spoon. You won't be disappointed. We promise!
The Best Cocktail Strainer
Mercer Barfly Fine Mesh Strainer
Add a bit of sophistication by using an actual fine mesh strainer instead of that clunky cocktail shaker strainer that has slits in it or that julep strainer -- you know, the one with the holes in it. Those slits and holes can allow your muddled fruit or herbs to slip through. With this fine mesh cocktail strainer, it'll keep the fragments out and only allow the cold liquid of spirits into the glass. Unless of course, you want those floaty bits in your drink...
Tools For Your Barware and Bar Cart
The Best Bottle Opener
We think we've all been there, you go to twist off that beer cap only to find out it shredded your fingers. OR maybe you want a step up from the ol' lighter trick to pop that top. That's when you go with this little beauty. A solid brass bottle opener that is hand-cast. Sleek, slender, beautiful.
The Best Corkscrew
Zwilling J.A. Henckels Sommelier Stainless Steel Waiter's Knife
We already know Henckels makes some of the best knives, but they also have a line of products that aren't knives. Well, technically, this wine key is called a waiter's knife. They go by many different names; corkscrew, wine key, and waiter's knife, Sommelier knife, waiter's friend, well, you get the idea, and we can go on and on with the names. This Sommelier Knife is a stainless steel corksrew with a foil cutter and bottle cap opener (just in case you lose the bottle opener).
The Best Bar Knife
Misen Paring Knife
Sure, you can use any old kitchen knife you want but why when your setup can include this amazing Paring Knife from Misen? It will last (almost) forever and let you cut through the herbs, fruit, and all the other garnishes needed. It's made from premium steel, has a sloped bolster for an easy grip, and has a 15-degree blade for more precision cutting.
The Best Ice Mold
Peak Ice Works Sphere Ice Tray
Maybe there's a bit of a debate here, maybe not. Ice. Should you use spheres or cubes or just regular ice from the freezer? Well, we're here to tell you that you should leave that freezer-made ice alone and use these Peak Ice Works Sphere Ice Tray from Sur la Table. The silicone tray makes 4 perfectly round ice that melts slower than regular ice. It will chill that cocktail without the excessive watering down.
And fine. If you do want cubes, they offer a silicone tray that makes 4 perfectly square cubes. Same principle, different shape.
The Best Cocktail Book
Barkeep - The Art of Mixology, Bar, & Cocktails
Ok, so we don't know how to make EVERY cocktail out there. I know, we should since we've had so much, ahem, practice, but we just don't and that's OK because that's why they made Barkeep - The Art of Mixology, Bar, & Cocktails. It is 522 pages (!!) worth of boozy information. If the drinks aren't in this book, it just simply doesn't exist. Yet...
The Best Glassware For Your Bar
Ok. so now you have your set up sitting nicely on the bar cart. Now what? Well, you can't make a craft cocktail without the glasses. Thankfully, we've put together this must-have list of glasses to complete your bar.
The Best Whiskey Glasses
Hatch Rocks Glass
So you bought some of the best whiskey out there which means you can't just dump it into any old glass and call it good. That's why you need these diamond pattern Hatch Rocks Glasses, plus as an added bonus, they match the mixing glass!
The Best Highball Glass
Stella Crystal Highball Glasses
We feel that a highball glass is an absolute necessity. You can have a Mojito, Tom Collins, or even a Whiskey Soda. These glasses cover all the bases. The sleek Stella Crystal Highball Glasses are perfect for any tall cocktail need. They hold just over 14 ounces of cold beverage and this glassware is made of top quality crystal clear glass. You can't go wrong.
The Best Coupe Glass
Marie Coupe Cocktail Glasses
The coupe glass is pretty much one of the most versatile glasses out there. Did you know that you can use the coupe glass for Champagne, Prosecco, margaritas, or just a regular mixed drink? That is how amazing these coupe glassware are. You can grab a set of 8 Marie Coupe Cocktail Glasses and celebrate your find with splash of bubbly. Or margarita, or just about anything.
The Best Martini Glass
Vintage Lead Free Crystal Martini Glasses
You definitely need a martini glass or 4. They are perfect for those Espresso Martinis, Classic Martinis, or even a fancy Lemon Drop Martini. Make a drink with these Vintage Lead Free Crystal Martini Glasses by Nude. They are sturdy, sexy, and have that timeless feel to them toss in a couple of bleu cheese stuffed green olives and you're all set.
The Best Wine Glass
Made In Wine Glass Set
The wine glass varies not only between reds and whites but even within each red wine, rosé, or white wine. Pick up a set of red wine glasses and a set of white wine glasses. You won't regret it. This new line of wine glass sets from Made-In are awesome and elegant. They are break-resistant and dishwasher-safe, although, we NEVER recommend you place wine glasses in the dishwasher. They should always be hand-washed, just like you would never place your knives in the dishwasher. Right? RIGHT??
Speaking of wine...
The Best Wine Decanter
Made In Wine Decanter
We all know that wine should breathe. Why you ask? Well, wine needs to aerate to \enhance the bouquet. Alcohol actually evaporates, which brings out the true scent of the wine. If you have issues with sulfates, then you're in luck because letting the wine breathe allows for the sulfates to dissipate. This brings us to the Wine Decanter. Another Made-In product that is simple for everyday use, but also elegant enough for those candle-lit dinners. It's a perfect vessel to showcase your wine.
Barware Extras
The Best Cocktail Smoker
Stündenglass Gravity Infuser
Smoked food is amazing but so are smoked cocktails. The process seems simple enough and it's made even easier with the Stündenglass Gravity Infuser. This gravity infuser is a contactless smoker that is gravity fed. Just fill the glass globes with water, connect the tubes, add your smoke chips, and rotate the globes to begin the gravity feed and force the smoke out in a steady stream. Add the Beverage Cloche to the system and you can start smoking glasses of cocktails over and over.
The Best Cocktail Blender
Ninja Professional 72oz Countertop Blender
Every bar setup needs a blender. Sometimes someone needs a blended margarita, a smoothie, or perhaps a Daiquiri or Piña Colada. Whatever you make, this Ninja Professional 3-Speed Blender will whip it up in a jiff. All you need to do is add ice and your booze ingredients and blend away Merrill, blend away.
Should You Have a Barware Set?
Well, if the above didn't give you enough indication of the things you should have, we'll explain a little further. Yes. You definitely need a barware set. Let's not confuse it with a bartender kit because that's not the same. A bartender kit includes most of the items listed above but sometimes the quality just isn't there in those kits. That's why we pieced everything together. Life should be about more quality and not so much quantity. Choose your pieces individually and you can build yourself an arsenal of quality products that will last through the years.
