Cocktail sets: Which tools to buy for your homebar

A cocktail set just gathers dust anyway!

Sure, that can happen—especially if you’ve been put off by complicated recipes or hard-to-find ingredients. And to be fair, you don’t actually need every single tool.

For beginners: the basic cocktail set

What do you really need to make cocktails? Not much—but what you do have should be decent.

A jigger / measuring cup / bar measure

There are countless variations. Many are frustrating because they lack clear markings or are simply impractical. Is that 20 ml or 22.5 ml? Filled to the brim or to that ridge? We recommend using a measuring tool with precise, clearly visible markings.

The shaker

There are different shapes, designs and sizes. What matters most is whether you want to mix for one, two or more people at once. A medium-sized shaker is usually the best choice for most situations.

Boston shaker

Essentially two tins that fit into each other, sometimes with one made of glass. Simple, easy to clean, and a reliable workhorse.

Cobbler shaker (3-piece)

The advantage here is the built-in strainer, which holds back ice and larger fruit pieces. The lid can sometimes double as a measuring tool.