Cocktail makers tools

Cocktail making has become an art form. The right equipment and a well stocked bar makes it easy to create interesting and tasty cocktails.

This is a list of the most necessary equipment that a cocktail maker will need:

Equipment	What it is used for
Cocktail shaker	Used when cocktail recipe calls for the shaking of the ingredients. It should be large enough to allow the ingredients to be shaken well along with crushed ice.
Jiggers	Used to measure the right amounts when making cocktails.
Measuring jugs	Used for measuring out fruit juices and soda rather than spirits; also used to measure champagnes and wines.
Blenders	Useful when creamy mixers are used, such as single cream, coconut milk or when a frothy top is required.
Ice bags	Useful when a lot of ice is needed.
Ice crushers	Not strictly necessary as ice can be crushed just as reliably with a tea towel and a rolling pin!
Ice bucket	Used for keeping opened bottles cold or as a receptacle when cocktails are being made.
Mixing jug	Useful for mixing long, fruit based drinks that do not need to be shaken. They are usually mixed with a long handled spoon
Strainer	These are used to strain drinks from cocktail shakers, when the recipe calls for the ice to be removed from the drink before serving.
Corkscrew/Bottle opener	The drinks maker's friend; there are many on the market.
Vegetable knife and chopping board	A sharp knife and chopping board are required to slice the fruit garnishes.
Grater	Graters are required for garnishes such as nutmeg and chocolate
Fruit reamer	A lemon reamer is useful for extracting as much juice from the fruit as possible.
Zester	These are used for making garnishes from the rind of fruit. The row of small holes removes the top layer of the rind. The larger hole to the side of it will remove thicker, longer pieces of rind used to garnish cocktails.
Whisk	Useful for whisking up a little egg white if required in recipes.
Melon ball maker	Useful for making garnishes for cocktail recipes that use the melon flavoured liqueur Midori.
Stirring equipment	Long-handled bar spoon is useful to stir cocktails.

Disposables used in cocktail making:

A large part of successful cocktail making involves garnishing. There is a wide range of decorative novelties such as small umbrellas, fold out paper flowers and swizzle sticks that are used to make the drinks more visually appealing. Swizzle sticks are varied and are used to stir long drinks in highball glasses. Cocktail sticks or toothpicks are used for spearing fruit to decorate and garnish.

Straws are used to give a drink a little stir and necessary in highball glasses. You will find a range of different straws at your local grocery store: such as bendy straws, novelty straws and straws with spoons. For short glasses cut a handful of straws into shorter lengths with a pair of scissors.

Suggested beverages to stock your bar with:

Alcohol	Liqueur	Soft drink/juices
Brandy	Advokaat	Cola
Cognac	Cherry brandy	Bitter lemon
Gin	Crčme de Cacao	Dry ginger ale
Vodka	Crčme de Menthe	Lemonade
Whisky	Cointreau	Lemon juice
White rum	Drambuie	Lime juice
Dark rum	Galliano	Mineral water
Dry vermouth	Grand Marnier	Orange juice
Sweet vermouth	Tia Maria	Tonic water
Grenadine		Pineapple juice
Angostura bitters		Soda water
Orange bitters		Tomato juice