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As menu prices soar and hot spot reservations become even harder to secure, consumers are shying away from dining out in favor of entertaining at home. Both legacy figures like Martha Stewart and social media personalities like Meredith Hayden teach the art of hosting a dinner party. But if you're just getting started, it's hard to know where to begin—especially when it comes to cocktails.
We love Sandra Lee's signature "Cocktail Time" as much as anybody else, but we don't always have the budget or space to store several flavors of schnapps. On the other hand, you don't necessarily want a too-sparse liquor cabinet that can only make a handful of basic cocktails. It's a delicate balance, but thankfully, there's a bartender-approved formula you can use.
We're breaking down everything you need—from base spirits to essential tools to special touches—to build a home bar that's perfect for hosting. Everything is customizable based on your drinking habits, preferred flavors, and budget. Here's what bartenders recommend, no matter what you like to serve.
Tools
You can technically freestyle a cocktail with random supplies in your house. However, using dedicated bar tools will help your drinks taste more flavorful and more consistent. You may be tempted to buy a set that can add decorative flair to your bar, but it's best to start small and only invest in the pieces you'll actually use. "I typically buy all my tools individually so I can choose the quality and style that best suit my needs," explains Erica Long, Beverage and Bar Manager at Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile.
Boston Shaker
The bartenders we consulted overwhelmingly agreed that the best shaker is a Boston style, also known as a tin on tin. A three-piece Cobbler shaker may be a sleeker choice on your counter, but it's also far more fussy. With a Boston shaker, you can easily use the palm of your hand to secure and open the shaker. It's much easier to clean and store. And the best part? It can do double duty for both major cocktail methods.
"All cocktails can technically be made in this tool—even stirred drinks can be made in the larger side of the tin if you don’t have a proper mixing glass for stirred cocktails," says Laura Maddox, Bar Manager at Small Victory and Co-Owner of Strangelove.
Strainers
Without the built-in holes of a Cobbler shaker, you need to invest in at least one cocktail strainer. At the bare minimum, you should have a Hawthorne strainer that can sit on top of your tin and strain out the ice. But if you want an especially smooth sip, bartenders also recommend a fine mesh strainer to double-strain your drink.
Jigger
Eyeballing ingredients may work when cooking a meal or making a drink just for yourself. But precise measurements are important for balancing flavors in a cocktail, which is why buying a jigger is essential.
"Whether you’re making a single cocktail or making multiple drinks for a party, using a jigger guarantees that each pour is identical," says Vincent Fabris, Director of Beverage for THesis Hotel Miami.
Bar Spoon
Why should you invest in a separate bar spoon when you already have a drawer full of regular spoons at home? Bartenders say that the design makes a big difference. "Stirring with a regular spoon can be surprisingly tricky, but the spiral shape of a stirring spoon makes mixing cocktails so much easier once you get the hang of it," says Sarah Kornegay, Bar Supervisor of The Katharine Brasserie & Bar.
The Drinking Coach Tiffanie Barriere puts it plainly: "Stirring is an art. A good spoon glides effortlessly."
Citrus Juicer
An opinion held across the board by all of the bartenders we consulted is that fresh citrus juice is non-negotiable. "I try to always have at least two lemons or limes in my kitchen specifically for cocktails," says April Gonzalez, mixologist at the Institute of Culinary Education. "Freshly squeezed citrus makes all the difference compared to using store-bought, pre-bottled juices."
Chef'n FreshForce Citrus Juicer, 10.25 long, Yellow$19.67 at amazon.com
Base Spirits
Depending on your personal preference, you may gravitate towards specific types of spirits. But if you want to expand your cocktail repertoire, you need a few base spirits. "When creating a home bar, the key is versatility, ensuring you can craft a broad range of drinks without being overwhelmed by an excess of bottles," says John Maloy, Bar Director at Bar Remi at Hotel Granduca.
It's worth noting that these are recommendations, not requirements. If you know you'll never use a certain type of spirit, then don't feel obligated to add to your home bar.
VodkaIt's the blank slate of spirits—vodka equally pulls its weight in a batch of penne alla vodka as it does in a martini or cosmopolitan. "Vodka is essential if you want to be able to serve the classics at home," says Pamela Hanagriff, Bar Manager of Cúrate. "Its neutral flavor profile serves as a base for a variety of drinks!"
Fabris also adds that it's "the go-to for beginners exploring the world of spirits."
GinSome of the most classic cocktails start with gin, a clear spirit flavored with botanicals. The flavor profile will vary based on the brand, but you can expect it to be crisp, clean, and fresh. "From martinis to sours to Collins-style drinks, it adds depth without overpowering," Barriere says. "I love using it as a substitute for vodka in cocktails"
TequilaAny home bar would be remiss without at least one agave-based spirit on the shelf. "Ask any bartender, and they’ll confirm that a quality reposado is an absolute home bar essential, whether kept to sip on its own or used in a variety of cocktails," Hanagriff says. "Plus, you can shake up margaritas for last-minute get-togethers in a pinch."
The world of tequila is vast and complex—and can get complicated once you factor in aging and additives. You can also deviate from tequila and opt for a bottle of mezcal, another agave based spirit with a smoky flavor profile. If you don't know where to start, here are some bartender-approved bottles:
Mijenta Tequila Reposado$64.99 at
Whiskey
Whiskey is a broad term encompassing a variety of aged spirits made from grain mash. The regulations, ingredients, and flavors will depend on the distiller and where it's made, which is why whiskey connoisseurs will collect several bottles for their bar.
But you don't need to be an expert to buy a bottle. "Bourbon unlocks a world of classic cocktail possibilities," says Enrique Alejo, Bar Manager at Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection. You can also opt for a bold rye to use in Old Fashioneds or sip on its own.
Specialty SpiritsOnce you start with a collection of base spirits, you can use modifiers to transform them into a countless list of cocktails. But unless you have infinite space, you want to have a streamlined set of specialty ingredients that can wear several hats. "I stay away from gimmicks and tend to look for what works with more than one base or style of cocktail," Long says.
Here are some of the multipurpose essentials that are worth adding to your inventory.
Vermouth
Vermouth is a fortified wine that is broadly used in some of the most popular cocktails like martinis, negronis, and Manhattans. It's also delicious on its own or with a splash of soda. The most common varieties are dry white vermouth and sweet red vermouth; and according to Barriere, "both are essential."
"They aren’t just supporting ingredients; they’re key players in a cocktail," she adds. "Vermouth adds balance and versatility." And a pro tip: make sure to store them in the fridge once opened.
Flavored Liqueur
Aside from fresh ingredients, liqueurs are some of the best ways to infuse fun flavors into your cocktails. You can find liqueurs in almost every flavor, but there are some that will get more use than others. Orange liqueurs, like Cointreau or Triple Sec, are essentials for a Margarita or a Sidecar. Alejo says "a little goes a long way in brightening any cocktail."
St-Germain elderflower liqueur has the nickname "bartender's ketchup" because of its versatility. "A splash of this elderflower liqueur can transform a cocktail," says Kinga Mackowiak, Director of Food & Beverage, Hyatt Centric Downtown Denver. "It pairs beautifully with gin, vodka, sparkling wine, and even tequila."
And of course, if you're ever going to make an espresso martini, you're going to need coffee liqueur. "Right now the best thing you can have laying around is a bottle of Mr. Black," says Tyler Kitzman, partner and lead bar manager and bartender at Mama Tried. "It's become the industry standard for coffee liqueur."
Bitters
If flavored liqueurs are the condiments of the cocktail world, bitters are the seasoning. Bitters add "depth and complexity with just a few dashes," Fabris says. They don't take up too much space in your home bar, they last forever, and they make a massive difference to the overall flavor of your drink.
Amaro
Amaro is derived from the Italian word for bitter. So, naturally, you can expect these liqueurs to have a complex, bitter flavor. Each bottle uses a proprietary blend of botanicals that can make an amaro taste entirely unique, which is why you can find them in several popular cocktails.
"Amari bring a bittersweet, botanical and herbal flavor to spritzes and more involved cocktails," Hanagriff says. "It is great sipped after a meal as a digestif, or as a nightcap at the end of the day."
GlasswareYou could theoretically serve a cocktail in any vessel. But if you want to have a dedicated set of glassware for spirits and mixed drinks, bartenders agree that you can start with three different types.
Spirits served neat or on the rocks are best poured into a short double rocks glass. But you shouldn't stop there—Fabris says they're "versatile and convenient for crafting cocktails" like negronis or old fashioneds. For any drink that comes with plenty of ice, mixers, or soda, opt for a Collins or Highball glass.
A stemmed coupe can be used for any drink that's meant to be served "up." Barriere describes it as "the martini glass’s cooler cousin," and its curved lip means it's also less prone to spillage.
But don't sweat too much over the stemware, you don't need to be too precious about presentation in a home bar. "What's more important is what's inside the glass and the people you're with," Kitzman says. "People don't remember the glassware, they remember cocktails."
Optional UpgradesIf you're stocked up on the basics and want some extra credit, there are a few bartender-recommended additions that can take your homemade cocktails to the next level. One common suggestion is unexpected: saline solution (they're not just for eye drops!). "A small dash can subtly enhance the overall flavor profile of nearly any cocktail, heightening the balance of sweet and sour," Maloy says.
Another ingredient that adds major depth of flavor is using syrup made with demerara sugar. "While simple syrup is going to be your standard staple, a syrup made with demerara sugars will upgrade your bar game by adding richness," Hanagriff says.
One upgrade that's often overlooked is good ice. "The quality of the ice you use when mixing drinks makes a huge difference. Bigger pieces of ice will melt slower, therefore dropping the temperature of your drink lower without over-dilution," Maddox says. "The more clear and pure your ice, the more neutral the flavor added by dilution, highlighting the ingredients better."
The final upgrade isn't an ingredient—it's a rubber mat for your counter. Molly Horn, Chief Mixologist & Spirits Educator at Total Wine & More, says that it's a make-or-break addition to your home bar. "It is a place to mix so you don’t spill all over the counter when you flip your jigger back and forth, a spot to keep your mixing glass steady as you stir, and a place to dry and store all your tools after an evening of tending bar," she says.
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