Cocktails at home: How to choose the perfect cocktail making kit
Who doesn’t love a good cocktail?
Whether you crave tangy fruits, sweet mellow notes, or you’re all about Insta-worthy concoctions, cocktails never fail to hit the spot.
But even the social butterflies among us sometimes can’t face the rigmarole of getting dressed up to head out for one drink (or two or three…), not to mention the inevitable bank account hangover.
The solution?
Cocktails at home, of course!
The following guide tells all about choosing the perfect cocktail making kit for your needs, covering everything from essential cocktail accessories to selecting the right shaker.
So, let’s shake things up!
Home bar essentials: What to look for in a cocktail making kit
If you’ve only ever seen cocktails made in busy bars, with the bartender whizzing around in a blur of flashing lights and airborne tumblers, you may be daunted by mixing them at home.
But the right cocktail making kit makes cocktails at home a breeze!
Once you’re familiar with the different cocktail accessories, you’ll be challenging mixologists to a shake-off in no time.
Here are the basic cocktail tools you'll need:
Jigger
Precision is key when making cocktails at home, especially if you’re mixing your fifth Mojito and your judgement isn’t quite as sharp as it was an hour ago!
That’s where jiggers come in.
Designed for laser-like precision, jiggers are cone-shaped cocktail tools used to measure spirits. Our cocktail making kits all come with double jiggers, with measurements of 25ml and 50ml.
![](https://www.vonhaus.com/media/wysiwyg/cocktail-jigger.jpg)
![](https://www.vonhaus.com/media/wysiwyg/cocktail-jigger.jpg)
Hawthorne strainer
The most common strainer is the Hawthorne strainer, which you simply place on top of your glass to strain the drink.
The spring around the edge then traps any fruit or leaves you’ve added to your mix (fancy, we know).
![Chrome Hawthorne strainer cocktail tool on white background](https://www.vonhaus.com/media/wysiwyg/Hawthorne_strainer.jpg)
![Chrome Hawthorne strainer cocktail tool on white background](https://www.vonhaus.com/media/wysiwyg/Hawthorne_strainer.jpg)
Muddler
Designed to smash and mix ingredients, a muddler is an essential cocktail tool that helps release the aromas and flavours of herbs, leaves and fruits.
While some people dismiss the muddler’s importance and use any old thing to muddle, if done incorrectly, you’ll bruise the herbs and release a chemical that will ruin the taste of your otherwise luscious cocktail.
Here’s a fact that hammers home its importance: without the muddler, we would not have the mojito.
Enough said.
![Silver cocktail muddler on white background](https://www.vonhaus.com/media/wysiwyg/Cocktail_muddler_1.jpg)
![Silver cocktail muddler on white background](https://www.vonhaus.com/media/wysiwyg/Cocktail_muddler_1.jpg)
Bar spoon
'But I have plenty of spoons to use at home!?’ – we hear you.
However, a bar spoon differs from your average teaspoon, thanks to its long-spiralled handle. This enables easy mixing for both long and short drinks, without having to buy multiple sizes.
The spiralling design isn’t just about aesthetics either; it’s crafted to create smooth, layered cocktails by pouring liquid down the spiral.
Sophisticated, eh?
Flat end and fork end bar spoons
Bar spoons usually have a flat end or a fork end. Flat-ended spoons will stand easily on your counter, while fork-ended spoons allow you to remove any unwanted garnishes with ease.
Our cocktail kits vary, so you’re sure to find one ideal for you whether you’re a budding mixologist or a master mixer!
![Long silver bar spoon on white background](https://www.vonhaus.com/media/wysiwyg/Bar_spoon.jpg)
![Long silver bar spoon on white background](https://www.vonhaus.com/media/wysiwyg/Bar_spoon.jpg)
Pourer
While a pourer isn’t a bona fide home bar essential, it'll mitigate the messy cocktail-making aftermath.
Simply attach the pourer to your bottle tops to minimise unwanted spills and speed up the pouring process, all in one effortless motion.
Cocktail shaker
Finally, the most recognisable component of any cocktail making kit – the shaker.
This is where cocktail making at home really comes to life, as you transform into the quintessential image of the bartender jigging away behind the bar!
There are three main types of cocktail shakers, but don’t fear; carry on reading for a simple breakdown of each type and see which takes your fancy!
Types of cocktail shakers
Manhattan/Cobbler shaker
The most common cocktail shaker is the Cobbler shaker, aka the Manhattan shaker.
A much-loved cocktail accessory, you’re more likely to find this shaker in the home rather than behind the bar as it's 100% beginner-friendly, reducing the likelihood of a messy worktop.
However, one thing to be wary of with Cobbler shakers is their tendency to freeze shut when used repeatedly.
So, while it may be hard to resist, we recommend taking a break between shaking sessions.
![Silver Cobbler cocktail set on marble countertop](https://www.vonhaus.com/media/wysiwyg/Silver_Cobbler_cocktail_set.jpg)
![Silver Cobbler cocktail set on marble countertop](https://www.vonhaus.com/media/wysiwyg/Silver_Cobbler_cocktail_set.jpg)
![Cocktail recipe book on marble kitchen countertop](https://www.vonhaus.com/media/wysiwyg/Cocktail_recipe_book.jpg)
![Cocktail recipe book on marble kitchen countertop](https://www.vonhaus.com/media/wysiwyg/Cocktail_recipe_book.jpg)
Boston shaker
Stepping into unchartered territory for most of us, the Boston shaker is an advanced piece of cocktail-making kit. This shaker comprises a metal tin and a glass tin, with no built-in strainer.
Boston shakers are favourites among mixologists; the absence of a fitted lid requires a deft touch to prevent your long-awaited cocktail from ending up on the floor!
Due to its 2-piece construction, the Boston shaker is the easiest to clean and reuse, so you’ll have your next concoction ready to go in no time.
But compared to the Cobbler, the Boston shaker takes some practice to perfect the technique, while some regard its lack of a strainer as a drawback.
However, all our cocktail making kits (Cobbler, Boston, and Parisian) come with a Hawthorne strainer, so you have everything you need to get going straight away.
Most of our sets also feature a cocktail recipe book, so there's no excuse for hanging around!
![Gold Boston cocktail set on white marble countertop](https://www.vonhaus.com/media/wysiwyg/Gold_Boston_cocktail_set.jpg)
![Gold Boston cocktail set on white marble countertop](https://www.vonhaus.com/media/wysiwyg/Gold_Boston_cocktail_set.jpg)
![Pouring a cocktail from a gold Boston cocktail pourer](https://www.vonhaus.com/media/wysiwyg/Gold_Boston_cocktail_shaker.jpg)
![Pouring a cocktail from a gold Boston cocktail pourer](https://www.vonhaus.com/media/wysiwyg/Gold_Boston_cocktail_shaker.jpg)
Parisian shaker
Parisian cocktail shakers (aka French shakers) are the least common variety.
Some consider it the Boston and Cobbler's lovechild, as it’s shaped like the cobbler but comes without a built-in strainer just like the Boston.
Like its origin, the Parisian shaker is undeniably stylish and oozes class. Popping one of these on your kitchen countertop creates an instant air of sophistication, perfect for swanky soirées with friends.
One drawback; however, is their scarcity, which can make them more expensive than other cocktail shakers.
But we’ve got your back.
Our range of Parisian cocktail making kits spans the spectrum of design, including rose gold, matte black and brushed gold and green, so you’re sure to find one to suit your taste at an affordable price.
![Using a black Parisian cocktail pourer to pour a cocktail](https://www.vonhaus.com/media/wysiwyg/Parisian_cocktail_set_1.jpg)
![Using a black Parisian cocktail pourer to pour a cocktail](https://www.vonhaus.com/media/wysiwyg/Parisian_cocktail_set_1.jpg)
![Matte black Parisian cocktail kit on a gold shelf](https://www.vonhaus.com/media/wysiwyg/Parisian_cocktail_set_2.jpg)
![Matte black Parisian cocktail kit on a gold shelf](https://www.vonhaus.com/media/wysiwyg/Parisian_cocktail_set_2.jpg)
Cocktail making at home made easy
You’re now set to create any sprit-infused tipple you fancy – shaken or stirred, long or short.
But whichever cocktail kit you choose, you’ll be primed to whip up mouth-watering mixes guaranteed to impress.
So, grab your ingredients and get mixing – or, more importantly, get drinking!
Cheers!
Don’t forget, we’ve got plenty more buying guides, lifestyle hacks, and interior inspiration on our blog.
We’ll see you in the comments!