Stock your bar with the tools of the trade so that mixing drinks is a breeze.
Instructions
1. Make sure you have a heavy-duty blender for cracking ice cubes and crushing ice if you plan to serve frozen drinks.
2. Buy a cocktail shaker and coil-rimmed strainer for mixing drinks. A plain metal shaker is best for beginners since it can take more of a beating.
3. Get at least one of each kind of jigger, the little cups used to measure drinks. A two-sided jigger has a 1-oz. measure on one side and a 1 1/2-oz. measure on the other side, while a one-sided jigger has 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 and 1-oz. measures.
4. Get at least two bar spoons with long handles for stirring drinks, plus a set of measuring spoons for measuring salt, sugar and bitters.
5. Purchase either a waiter corkscrew, which fits in a pocket, or the easier-to-use winged corkscrew.
6. Make sure you have a wooden muddler on hand for crushing herbs and sugars if you plan to make juleps or old-fashioneds.
7. Buy an electric juicer if you want to use only fresh juice.
8. Choose fun cocktail picks and the cocktail napkins on hand.
Tags: jigger 1-oz, Make sure, Make sure have, mixing drinks, sure have
