Inspiration

There are a few must-haves for your home bar.  This list is incomplete, and you will surely add to it as time goes on, but here is a basic setup.

1. Quality shaker

2. Muddler

3. Jigger or preferred measuring device.

4. Small mesh strainer.

5. Bar spoon.

Simple syrup - equal parts sugar and water, brought to a boil to incorporate, then allowed to cool.  Make beforehand.  You can infuse any flavor you like into this.  It's called "simple" for a reason, though, don't turn it into "complex syrup."

Muddle - to mash, the pressure of which depends on the goal.  If you are trying to release aromatics, be gentle. If you are trying to get juice from a lime, act like the lime owes you money.

Dry shake - to shake without ice.

Shake - Seems obvious, but most people overdo it.  Shaking incorporates flavors but also chills your cocktail and adds water.  It is more of a science than most people think.

Recipe - It is called a recipe for a reason.  You should consider following it, at least until you know what you would change.  When you create your own recipe, write it down.  AND always use a measuring device so you can accurately recreate your delicious creations.  The more time spent on "research and development," the better the final product.  Unfortunately, the time spent on research is inversely proportional to the probability that you will write things down.  The upside is that means more R&D is in your future!

Ratios - Ratios are our friend.  Some basic ratios work for most cocktails, but try to think of it as alcohol-to-sour-to-sweet, and don't be afraid to create your own.  8:2:1 is recommended in the classic cocktail book, "The Fine Art Of Mixing Drinks," but 2:1:1/2 is one that I use for many cocktails.  Your personal tastebuds will determine which works for you, but having a foundation makes recreating your cocktails much easier.

There are gobs of books written about this topic, but this will get you started.

Glassware IS important.  However, it isn't VITAL.  The spirit is vital.  I routinely drink bespoke cocktails from a coffee mug.  Granted, this is when I am inspired by a campfire and a great day on a river, and have forgotten the rocks glasses back at home, but it never detracts from the cocktails.  Maybe campfire smoke is the secret ingredient.  That said, some spirits call for a certain vessel.  A Vieux Carre is somehow better in a rocks glass than in a Yeti mug.

Sharing IS caring, so please share your favorite creations with us.  We would love to see what you guys come up with.  

Understand that we are not mixologists.  However, we do know a lot of mixologists.  If you have questions, please feel free to shoot us an email or call us.  And you can get many of your supplies at our retail shop, so stop in and grab those glasses, bitters or any of the myriad things we have available (such as award-winning spirits) to take your home bar to the next level.