Best Home Bar Tools and Glassware: A Buying Guide
A home bar needs five things to make most classic cocktails well: a mixing vessel, a barspoon, a jigger, a muddler and the right glass. Start with a Japanese-style jigger, a Trident barspoon and a mixing glass or stirring tin, then add Nick & Nora or coupe glasses and a jar of Luxardo cherries.
Our picks at a glance
| Product | What it is | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cocktail Kingdom - Japanese Style Jigger - 1 oz. / 1.5 oz. | Stainless jigger, 1 oz over 1.5 oz with inner marks | Accurate pours | 18/8 stainless steel |
| Cocktail Kingdom - Trident Barspoon | 31.5 cm stainless barspoon, smooth coil | Stirred drinks | Stainless steel |
| Cocktail Kingdom - Mixtin Stirring Tin - 625 mL (21 oz.) - Banded | Double-walled, vacuum insulated stirring tin | Fast chilling | Dishwasher safe |
| Cocktail Kingdom - Gallone Mixing Glass - 1 L (33.8 oz.) | 1 L mixing glass, handmade in Poland | Three drinks at once | Hand wash only |
| Cocktail Kingdom - Gary "Gaz" Regan Muddler | Walnut-handled, dual-sided muddler | Mojitos and smashes | Cloth pouch included |
| Cocktail Kingdom - Nick & Nora Glasses - 5 oz. (150 mL) - 6 Pack | 5 oz stemmed glasses, 6 pack | Martinis and Manhattans | Dishwasher safe |
| Spiegelau - Perfect Coupette - Set Of 4 - 8.3 oz. | 8.3 oz coupe, set of 4 | Shaken drinks with foam | Roomy bowl helps prevent spills |
| Cocktail Kingdom - Yarai Stackable Rocks Glasses - 6 oz. (180 mL) - 6 Pack | 6 oz stackable rocks glasses, 6 pack | Old Fashioneds | Dishwasher safe |
| Cocktail Kingdom - Julep Cup - Silver-Plated Stainless Steel - 12 oz. (360 mL) | 12 oz silver-plated julep cup | Juleps and gifts | Hand wash only |
| Luxardo - Maraschino Cherries (approx 65 per jar) - 400 g | Italian maraschino cherries, 400 g | The Manhattan garnish | Product of Veneto, Italy |
Every product above is on our shelves as of publishing. Browse the full range in our Barware & Cocktail Tools collection.
How to choose
- Stir or shake? Spirit-only drinks are stirred in a mixing glass or tin; drinks with citrus are shaken.
- Measure. A jigger with inner markings makes recipes repeatable.
- Glass by drink. Nick & Nora for stirred drinks served up, coupe for shaken, rocks for drinks on ice.
- Care. Plated barware such as the julep cup is hand wash only; check each listing.
Frequently asked questions
What bar tools do I need first?
A jigger, a barspoon and a mixing vessel. Add a muddler and good glassware next.
What is a Nick and Nora glass?
A small stemmed glass for stirred cocktails served without ice.
Mixing glass or stirring tin?
A mixing glass looks beautiful on the bar; a metal tin chills faster.
Are Luxardo cherries different from bright red maraschino cherries?
Yes. They come from the Veneto in Italy and are dark, sweet and slightly tangy with a firm bite.
Is the glassware dishwasher safe?
The Nick & Nora and Yarai rocks glasses are listed as dishwasher safe; the julep cup is not.
Go deeper: Best Non-Alcoholic Drinks for the Holidays, Bar Nuts: The Complete Guide.
See also our Pantry Glossary and the map of where our food comes from.
