A bar cart can be a great way to bring a little extra convenience and style to your in-home or office bar. However, stocking a cart with all the necessary tools for making cocktails isn’t as easy as it looks. Below, we will discuss the five essential barware items for your home or office bar cart.
What is Barware?
Barware is a term used to describe the items used to make and serve drinks at a bar; this includes everything from glasses and bar spoons to shakers and strainers. Having the proper barware is essential for any home or office bar.
Keep a few things in mind when choosing barware. First, you must ensure you have the right glasses for the drinks you want to serve. You will need highball and lowball glasses if you plan on serving mixed drinks. If you only plan on serving wine, you will only need wine glasses.
Second, you need to make sure you have suitable mixers and other ingredients for the drinks you want to make. This includes things like soda water, juices, and syrups.
Lastly, make sure your bar cart is stocked with all the essential barware. This includes cocktail shakers, mixing glasses, strainers, jiggers, and muddlers.
Cocktail Shakers
Cocktail shakers are a must-have for any home or office bar cart. They are used to mix drinks with liquor and other ingredients- such as fruit, juice, or dairy- which need to be shaken, like a Margarita or Whiskey Sour.
Shakers come in a variety of sizes and styles. The size needed depends on how many drinks you want to be able to make at one time. Smaller cocktail shakers are better for making one or two drinks, while larger ones can make four or more drinks. The three common kinds are the Boston shaker, cobbler shaker, and Parisian shaker.
Cocktail shakers can be made of glass, metal, or plastic and usually have a tight-fitting lid; each material has pros and cons. Glass cocktail shakers are generally more durable than plastic ones but can be more expensive.
Metal cocktail shakers are often cheaper than glass ones and usually incur less breakage. Plastic cocktail shakers are often the most affordable option, but they may not be as long-lasting as other types of cocktail shakers.
Mixing Glasses
Mixing glasses are important for any home or office bar cart. They are used to mix drinks and create spirit-forward cocktails like the Manhattan or Old Fashioned. This helps you aerate the drink without diluting it too much. Mixing glasses come in a variety of sizes and styles. They can be made from glass, plastic, or metal.
Strainers
One of the essential items every home or office bar cart should have is a strainer, as it helps to strain cocktails and other drinks. Without a strainer, your drinks will be full of ice, fruit, and other debris.
Different types of cocktail strainers are available on the market, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs. Fine strainers are usually cone-shaped and have fine mesh screens.
Julep strainers have a circular design with perforations that allow liquid to pass through while catching any solid particles. Hawthorne strainers have a spring-loaded design that helps to hold back ice and other debris.
No matter what option you choose, make sure it is made of high-quality materials. Stainless steel is an ideal option as it is durable and easy to clean.
Jiggers
Jiggers are a must-have for any home or office bar cart. They are used to measure out the perfect amount of alcohol for cocktails. Jiggers come in different sizes, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.
Jiggers are usually made of metal, such as stainless steel. Some jiggers have a double-sided design, with one side measuring 1 ounce and the other measuring 2 ounces. This allows you to make either strong or weak cocktails, depending on your preferences.
Muddlers
Muddlers are another essential tool for any home or office bar cart. They are used for crushing fresh herbs and fruits, which release their flavor and aroma. This is a crucial step in making cocktails and other drinks.
Muddlers come in various materials, including wood, plastic, and metal. Wood muddlers are the most traditional option, but they can be more challenging to clean than other types of muddlers. Plastic and metal muddlers are easier to clean, but they may not have the same classic look as a wood muddler.
A bar cart is a great way to add a touch of sophistication to your home or office. Your bar cart can be the perfect addition to any space with the right accessories.
