The Essential Bar Tools for Every Home Mixologist

So, you want to become an at-home bartender. We’re happy to tell you that you’re in the right place. Some may say we’re a little…obsessive when it comes to bar tools and bar accessories but trust us when we say we always opt for quality. With a whiskey lineup as versatile as ours, you can cover nearly endless cocktail ground, so there’s a lot of green space for you to decide which pieces will work for you and your whiskey sensibility. We’ll take you through the must-haves that every home barkeep should own, along with a few of our fancy favorites you could likely live without but might not want to. Consider this the ultimate “Choose Your Own Adventure,” curating your home bar.  

By no means is this list prohibitive to the amateur at-home bartender—in fact, it’s just the opposite. Many of the tools are meant to make BIY (Bartend It Yourself) a pleasant and achievable experience, so newbies to the space are welcomed and encouraged. On that same note, even seasoned “casa cocktailers” will find this list helpful in discovering new tools to add to their belt. Many things included in our roundup also make for excellent gifts, so keep your fellow whiskey lovers in mind as you peruse!

We’ll warn you now: you’ll be inclined to “add to cart” many times over, so prepare yourself accordingly. If that means clearing the bar cart now to make room for your new accessories, so be it!

Our Favorite Whiskey Tools and Accessories 

Classic Rocks Glass, $15

Sipping fantastic whiskey starts with a fantastic glass. A simple rocks glass is the perfect vessel for some of the most classic cocktails, like an Old Fashioned or Whiskey Sour, or simply sipping your liquid gold over a little ice. We love this glass for the heirloom appearance and traditional size. Pick one up at our Distillery and Cocktail Room during your next visit!

We’re also fond of the Hatch Rocks Glass from Crate and Barrel. With other 700 5-star reviews, it’s trusted to do the job right.

Glencairn Glass, $15

For every whiskey on the rocks, there’s an equal and opposite whiskey neat. There’s no better glass for saving the true taste and complexity of fine whiskey than the Glencairn. With its tapered mouth, you can explore all the aromas and nuances a great single malt can offer. We believe sipping quality whiskey from a shot glass is a Cardinal Whiskey Sin and at Brother Justus, we’re here to send you down a righteous whiskey path. Brother Justus Whiskey Co. Glencairns are available at our Distillery and Cocktail Room.

The Rock Ice Cubes, $22.99/12pk

If you like your whiskey on the rocks, we highly recommend going with a specialty ice cube. Large ice is best for slow sippers; as it slowly melts, it not only holds its cold temperature, but cools your whiskey. Local company Minnesota Ice makes a variety of sizes and shapes, but we love The Rock. Perfect for lowball cocktail and single pour spirits, it’s the perfect companion to our liquid gold.

If you don’t need a full dozen cubes, ice molds are a great alternative. Check out the two-pack Hatch or Sphere molds from Crate and Barrel.

Yarai Mixing Pitcher, $24.99

Not all cocktails require a rigorous blend in a shaker. For a more delicate intermingling of flavors and ingredients, we recommend a classic mixing pitcher. We love the Yarai mixing pitcher for a few reasons, the first being the beautiful Japanese Yarai weave design that will look perfect sitting atop your bar. We also love the capacity, as this version can hold two cocktails worth of liquid. Lastly, the mouth is extra wide so you get the perfect pour every single time.

Hawthorne Double Jigger with Acaciawood Handle, $15.99

No bar is complete without a jigger, the tool used for measuring out your spirits. Some types come simply with one measurement, a single shot or a double, but this style is double-headed, making it versatile and efficient. The acaciawood handle takes this otherwise utilitarian jigger and turns it into both a tool and a stylish piece for your home bar.

The Forever Peeler, $40

A peeler is an essential mainstay for any bartender, amateur or otherwise, so finish your cocktails in style with this gorgeous peeler from Material. We love this peeler for the sleek design and the fact that you can choose from three dreamy finishes: bronzed, meteorite, and golden.

Bar Spoon with Muddler, $9.95

Whether you fancy a Mojito (made with our American Silver Whiskey in lieu of rum, of course) or an Old Fashioned, you’ll need a muddler. You’ll also need a spoon, which is why this sleek muddler-spoon combination saves space and clean-up. That’s a total win in our book.

Tin on Tin Professional Boston Shaker, $16

We can’t recommend this cocktail shaker enough. Its sleek design makes it a perfect addition to your bar cart or shelf, but we adore it for its function. Both easy to seal tightly and easy to open, this shaker helps create a perfectly balanced cocktail, with fully combined ingredients and just the right amount of chill from melting ice.

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