Bar tools

Choosing bar tools for your home bar

A small collection of dependable tools can take you from your first stirred drink to a confidently prepared round for friends.

Start with the jobs you do most often. A jigger helps keep measurements consistent, a bar spoon makes stirring comfortable, and a suitable strainer holds back ice as you pour.

Look beyond appearance when choosing a tool. The shape of a handle, the clarity of a measure and the way a strainer sits on your mixing glass all affect how it feels in everyday use.

Build a kit around your favourite drinks

Choose pieces that work together and fit the space you have. Check the capacity of a mixing glass and make sure your spoon and strainer suit it before adding specialist equipment.

Good tools should be straightforward to care for. Follow the maker's cleaning instructions, store sharp pieces carefully and give each item a place where you can find it when the mixing starts.