You may find yourself mixing your first batch of cocktails in a mason jar before you progress to a proper shaker. No harm there. As your interests and technique develops, you’ll begin to pick up more bar gear. If you want to flame citrus peel or add fresh nutmeg to a nog, then yes, you will want a Y-peeler and a microplane. Here are the bar tools we could never live without:
bar spoon
mixing glass
Boston shaker
jigger
julep strainer
hawthorne strainer
small sieve
cutting board
paring knife
citrus press
Y-peeler
bamboo skewers
bottle opener
wine key
muddler
swizzle stick
squeeze bottle
microplane
zester
funnel
small spray bottle or atomizer
large-format ice cube trays
ice bucket
ice scoop
hand towels
