Tools of the Trade
Master your craft with the right tools. From basic essentials to professional equipment, discover everything you need to create exceptional cocktails.
I recommend these tools based on personal experience. By using the affiliate links below, you are doing your part to help support the hard work that goes into creating Step By Step Cocktails.
Shaking Tools
Shakers, strainers, and mixing equipment
Measuring
Jiggers, scales, and precision tools
Preparation
Muddlers, knives, and prep tools
Glassware
Cocktail glasses and serving vessels
Shaking & Mixing Tools
Boston Shaker
A two-piece shaker consisting of a metal tin and mixing glass. The most versatile and professional shaker type.
Recommended Product
Weighted Boston Shaker
Premium weighted Boston shaker tins designed for professional bartenders - the added weight provides better balance and control during shaking.
Strainers
Essential for filtering cocktails. Different types for different needs - Hawthorne for most drinks, julep for stirred cocktails, fine mesh for smooth textures.
Recommended Product
Fine Mesh Strainer
Professional 304 stainless steel fine mesh strainer - perfect for double-straining egg white cocktails and achieving silky smooth textures.
Recommended Product
Comfortable Grip Hawthorne Strainer
Durable stainless steel Hawthorne strainer with comfortable non-slip grip - features a raised lip to prevent dripping and shorter handle for easy storage.
Recommended Product
Barfly Julep Strainer
Professional 6.5-inch julep strainer with gun metal black finish - perfect for filtering stirred cocktails with style and precision.
Mixing Glass
Essential for stirring cocktails. Provides the perfect vessel for spirit-forward drinks that need gentle mixing rather than shaking.
Recommended Product
Etched Cocktail Mixing Tin
Beautiful stainless steel mixing glass with elegant etched damask pattern - perfect for stirring cocktails with professional flair.
Recommended Product
Professional Mixing Tin
Professional 28oz tin with mixing glass - perfect for serious bartenders and home enthusiasts alike.
Recommended Product
Classic Mixing Glass
Traditional glass mixing glass with classic design - perfect for stirring Martinis, Manhattans, and spirit-forward cocktails with elegance and precision.
Measuring & Precision Tools
Jiggers & Measuring
Double Jigger
Most common sizes: 1oz/2oz or 1.5oz/0.75oz
Perfect for most cocktail recipes
Japanese Jigger
Precise measurements, often 2oz/1oz
Professional standard for accuracy
Digital Scale
For ingredients measured by weight
Essential for modern cocktail recipes
Recommended Product
Clear Plastic Super Double Jigger
Versatile clear plastic double jigger with multiple graduated measurement rings - large side measures 1oz, 2oz, 3oz; small side measures 1/2oz, 3/4oz, 1-1/2oz.
Recommended Product
Measuring Spoon
Precision measuring spoons perfect for small amounts of bitters, syrups, and other cocktail ingredients - essential for recipes requiring exact measurements.
Bar Spoon
The most versatile tool in your kit. Used for stirring, layering, measuring, and more.
Features:
- • Twisted stem for easy stirring
- • Flat end for layering
- • Measures 1 teaspoon when filled
- • Perfect for muddling small ingredients
Uses:
- • Stirring spirit-forward cocktails
- • Layering shots and cocktails
- • Measuring small amounts
- • Muddling herbs and spices
Recommended Product
Layering Bar Spoon
Essential long-handled bar spoon with twisted stem - perfect for stirring cocktails, layering drinks, and measuring ingredients with professional precision.
Recommended Product
Weighted Bar Spoon
Premium weighted bar spoon with perfect balance - the added weight provides superior control for stirring, layering, and creating perfectly mixed cocktails.
Preparation Tools
Muddler
Wooden Muddler
Traditional choice, won't damage glassware
Stainless Steel
Durable, easy to clean, professional
Muddling Technique:
- • Herbs: Gentle pressing to release oils
- • Fruits: Crush to extract juices
- • Spices: Break down for flavor release
- • Don't over-muddle to avoid bitterness
Recommended Product
Professional Muddler
Essential muddler for crushing herbs, fruits, and spices - perfect for mojitos, old fashioneds, and craft cocktails requiring muddled ingredients.
Citrus Juicer
Hand Juicer
Most common, efficient for small batches
Electric Juicer
For high-volume bars, faster processing
Tips:
- • Juice fresh for best flavor
- • Strain pulp for smooth cocktails
- • Use room temperature fruit
- • Store juice in refrigerator
Recommended Product
Citrus Juicer
Professional hand-held citrus juicer for extracting fresh lemon, lime, and orange juice - essential for creating cocktails with vibrant, fresh-squeezed citrus flavor.
Citrus Peeler
Essential for creating beautiful citrus garnishes and zests. Perfect for making twists, wheels, and decorative citrus strips.
Recommended Product
OXO Good Grips Citrus Peeler
Professional Y-peeler with ergonomic handle - perfect for creating pith-free citrus strips for Old Fashioneds and zesting for cocktails.
Recommended Product
Citrus Twist Peeler
Professional citrus peeler designed for creating perfect cocktail twists and garnishes - essential for adding elegant citrus accents to your drinks.
Knives & Cutting
Paring Knife
For precise fruit cuts and garnishes
Cutting Board
Non-slip surface for safe preparation
Garnish Cuts:
- • Wheels: For rim of glass
- • Twists: Peeled citrus strips
- • Wedges: For rim garnish
- • Fans: Decorative fruit slices
Recommended Product
Non Slip Cutting Board
Professional non-slip cutting board with stable surface - perfect for safely preparing garnishes, cutting fruits, and all your cocktail prep work.
Recommended Product
Ergonomic Non-Slip Grip Paring Knife
Razor-sharp 3.5" German steel paring knife with ergonomic handle - perfect for precise garnish cuts, peeling citrus, and trimming fruits for cocktails.
Bottle Opener
Essential for opening beer bottles, soda bottles, and removing cocktail pour spouts. A professional bartender's everyday tool.
Recommended Product
Barfly Bar Speed Opener
Professional 7-inch stainless steel bottle opener designed for bartenders - opens bottles and removes pour spouts with ease.
Recommended Product
V-Rod Bottle Opener
Classic V-rod style bottle opener - the iconic bartender's choice for quick and efficient bottle opening with professional style.
Recommended Product
Professional Bottle Opener
Durable and reliable bottle opener perfect for both professional bars and home use - opens bottles with ease and built to last.
Tongs
Essential for handling ice, garnishes, and ingredients hygienically. Perfect for adding ice to glasses and positioning garnishes without touching them.
Recommended Product
Professional Bar Tongs
Essential stainless steel tongs for professional bartenders - perfect for handling ice and garnishes with precision and hygiene.
Recommended Product
Garnish Tweezer Tongs
Precision stainless steel tweezer tongs for delicate garnish placement - perfect for placing citrus twists, cherries, and detailed garnishes with professional accuracy.
Recommended Product
Garnish/Ice Tongs
Professional dual-purpose tongs for both ice and garnish handling - versatile stainless steel design perfect for hygienic service and precise garnish placement.
Essential Glassware
Cocktail Glass
4-6 oz capacity, for shaken/stirred cocktails
Rocks Glass
6-10 oz capacity, for drinks over ice
Highball Glass
8-12 oz capacity, tall and narrow
Champagne Flute
6-8 oz capacity, preserves bubbles
Tool Care & Maintenance
Cleaning & Storage
Daily Cleaning
- • Wash all tools immediately after use
- • Use hot soapy water and soft brush
- • Dry completely to prevent rust
- • Sanitize with food-safe sanitizer
Storage
- • Store in dry, well-ventilated area
- • Hang tools when possible
- • Keep organized for efficiency
- • Protect from damage and theft
Maintenance Tips
Regular Maintenance
- • Check for loose handles or connections
- • Sharpen knives regularly
- • Replace worn rubber parts
- • Polish metal surfaces as needed
Troubleshooting
- • Stuck shaker: Run under hot water
- • Rust spots: Use lemon and salt
- • Stained glass: Soak in vinegar
- • Dull knives: Professional sharpening
Professional Accessories
Cocktail Smoker
Add a professional smoky touch to your cocktails with an electric smoker kit. Perfect for creating unique flavor profiles and impressive presentations.
Recommended Product
Electric Cocktail Smoker Kit
Professional electric cocktail smoker for adding rich, smoky flavors to your drinks - complete kit with wood chips for creating craft cocktails with depth and drama.
Recommended Product
Cocktail Smoking Kit
Complete cocktail smoking kit with torch and wood chips - perfect for adding artisanal smoky notes to whiskey, bourbon, and craft cocktails at home or in professional bars.
Bartender Bag
Keep all your essential bartending tools organized and portable. Perfect for professional bartenders who work multiple venues or home bartenders who want to keep their tools organized.
Recommended Product
Bartender Tools and Supplies Bag
Durable and practical bartender bag designed to organize and transport all your essential bar tools - perfect for professional bartenders and home enthusiasts.
Portable Bartending Table
Professional portable bar table for mobile bartending events. Perfect for setting up a complete bar station at weddings, parties, and outdoor events with everything you need in one compact setup.
Recommended Product
Economic Portable Bar
Affordable portable bar table perfect for mobile bartending - sets up quickly for events, weddings, and parties with a complete bar station setup.
Recommended Product
Professional Portable Bar
Premium professional portable bar with full features - complete mobile bar solution for upscale events, weddings, and professional catering with superior build quality.
Pour Training Tester
Professional pour training tool to perfect your free-pour technique. Essential for bartenders learning to pour accurate measurements without jiggers for speed and efficiency.
Recommended Product
Accurate Pour Training Tester
Professional pour training tester for mastering free-pour technique - perfect for bartenders developing speed and accuracy in measuring drinks without jiggers.
Bottle Display Rack
Elegant 3-tier countertop display rack for organizing and showcasing your liquor collection. Perfect for home bars, professional bars, and creating an attractive spirits display.
Recommended Product
3-Tier Liquor Bottle Display Rack
Beautiful wooden countertop display rack with 3 tiers - perfect for organizing and showcasing liquor bottles, wine, coffee syrups, and bar essentials in style.
Recommended Product
2-Tier Liquor Bottle Display Rack
Compact 2-tier wooden display rack ideal for smaller spaces - perfect for organizing liquor bottles, wine, and spirits while maintaining an elegant countertop or cabinet display.
Candied Fruit Garnish
Premium candied fruit garnishes for elevating cocktail presentation. Perfect for adding beautiful, professional touches to Old Fashioneds, Manhattans, and craft cocktails.
Recommended Product
Orange Candied Fruit Garnish
Premium candied orange slices for professional cocktail garnishing - adds elegant sweetness and visual appeal to Old Fashioneds, Manhattans, and craft cocktails.
Recommended Product
Dehydrated Lime Garnish
Professional dehydrated lime wheels for stunning cocktail garnishes - perfect for Margaritas, Mojitos, Gin & Tonics, and tropical drinks with long-lasting visual appeal.
Bartender Waist Apron
Professional server apron with multiple pockets for bartenders and servers. Keep all your essential tools organized and accessible while working efficiently behind the bar.
Recommended Product
Bartender Waist Apron
Professional server apron with multiple pockets and adjustable belt - perfect for bartenders keeping tools, menus, and supplies organized while working efficiently.
Silicone Drip Mat
Professional bar mat for protecting surfaces and keeping your workspace clean. Essential for catching spills, drips, and condensation while mixing and serving cocktails.
Recommended Product
Silicone Drip Mat
Professional silicone bar mat for protecting surfaces and catching drips - dishwasher safe and non-slip design perfect for keeping your bar area clean and organized.
Pour Spouts
Professional pour spouts for controlled, consistent liquor pouring. Essential for speed pouring, reducing waste, and maintaining clean bottle necks while serving.
Recommended Product
Liquor Bottle Pour Spouts
Professional pour spouts for controlled liquor pouring - perfect for speed bartending, reducing waste, and maintaining clean bottles in professional and home bars.
Glass Rimming Tool
Professional 3-tier glass rimmer for creating perfectly salted or sugared rims. Essential for Margaritas, Bloody Marys, and any cocktail requiring a rimmed glass with style.
Recommended Product
3-Tier Glass Rimming Tool
Professional 3-tier glass rimmer with sponge - perfect for creating perfectly salted or sugared rims on Margaritas, Bloody Marys, and cocktails with ease.
Bar Caddy
Professional bar caddy for organizing garnishes, straws, napkins, and condiments. Keep your bar station tidy and efficient with all essentials in one convenient organizer.
Recommended Product
Bar Caddy
Professional bar caddy organizer with multiple compartments - perfect for organizing garnishes, straws, napkins, and bar essentials in one convenient caddy.
Ready to Start Mixing?
Now that you know your tools, explore our cocktail recipes and start practicing your skills.