How to Set Up a Home Bar
Cocktail construction is only part of the battle—you need a place to make that chemistry happen! You need to know how to set up a home bar. Every home bar should look different, yet have some of the same tools. What actually makes up a bar, and how much you should spend on anything, should be dependent on what you and your guests enjoy—and how frequently. But every bar consists of 3 parts—tools for constructing cocktails, the ingredients that make up a drink, and lastly, the receptacles you actually serve your drinks in.
In this episode, you’ll learn:

* A few of the essential bar tools needed for your favorite cocktails
* Which tools you should spend more on—and which ones you shouldn’t
* The most versatile cocktail glassware
* Ingredients that allow for you to make more of the world’s best drinks (for less money)

Wise Words:
The best place to drink beer is at home. Or on a river bank, if the fish don’t bother you. –Unknown
Attention: Please be patient with the bartender. Even a toilet can only handle one asshole at a time. –Sign in a bar
Gear & Supplies:

* Jigger/Measure: Like we say all the time on the show, measuring is everything for a home bartender. It’s the difference between being undrinkable and delicious.
* Bar Spoon: This long-handled spoon is not only great for measuring (recipes will often call for a bar spoon or two of simple syrup), but its main function is to give you leverage when stirring a Martini (recipe) or Manhattan (recipe).
* Muddler: Whether it’s a right and proper Old Fashioned with sugar, bitters, and a little water muddled together, or a Mint Julep for a Kentucky Derby party, a muddler plays a key role in basic cocktail construction.
* Citrus Squeezer: If you’re only going to buy one squeezer, buy one big enough for lemons and your limes will fit as well.
* Cobbler / Standard Shaker: When you’re aiming to mix liquor and any kind of non-liquor, especially fruit juice, you need to give your cocktails a vigorous shake. This shaker has a built-in strainer to save you a step.
* Boston Shaker: If you want to see what you’re shaking as you’re shaking it, and want to be a little fancy, get this combo to clamp down on your cocktails and impress your friends.
* Hawthorne Strainer: A strainer keeps out the ice and large pieces of a shaken mixture out of the final product. A definite bar essential when you’re starting out.
* Coupe Glasses: We like coupe glasses for most beginning home bartenders because of their versatility, used in any “up” cocktail, or with champagne, but also because they look cool. And "cocktails are all about looking cool."
* Old Fashioned Glasses: The original cocktail deserves a true original in terms of glassware. The heavy bottomed glasses allow for you to really muddle your sugar and bitters in preparation for your whiskey or