Gear
Tools that earn their shelf space.
Everything here gets used weekly behind our bar. Links are affiliate links — same price for you, a small commission for us.
The Non-Negotiables
Boston shaker (weighted tin set)
The two-piece tin every working bartender uses. Skip the three-piece cobbler.
Japanese jigger (1oz/2oz with interior lines)
Interior 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 markings are the difference between guessing and measuring.
Hawthorne strainer
The spring-coil strainer that fits your tin.
Fine mesh strainer
Double-straining is why bar drinks look better than home drinks.
Bar spoon (long, weighted)
For 20-second stirs and pouring bubbles down the spiral.
The Upgrades
Large ice cube molds (2-inch)
Big cubes melt slower — less dilution in stirred drinks.
Y-peeler
Wide citrus peels for expressing oils, without the knife skills.
Citrus press (handheld)
Fresh juice is the single biggest quality jump. Bottled juice is where good drinks die.
Mixing glass (500ml+)
Stirred drinks deserve better than the shaker tin.
Dropper bottles (set)
For saline and rose water — precision by the drop.
The Statement Pieces
Cocktail smoking gun kit
The Smoked Old Fashioned's price of admission. Guaranteed conversation piece.
Copa / Spanish gin-tonic glasses
The balloon glass that makes the Spanish G&T the Spanish G&T.
Coupe glasses (set of 4)
Half the Atlas lands in a coupe. Buy one good set.
Nick & Nora glasses
The smaller, harder-to-spill coupe alternative bartenders prefer.
Luxardo maraschino cherries
The $20 jar that ends grocery-store cherries forever.