10 Bar Tool Essentials | Best Equipment for Home & Pros!

In this video I recommend some of my favorite bar tools and essentials, tried and tested in real bars over the years. These bar accessories are great for home use as well as professionally behind the bar. I also share the specifics of why certain bar equipment works better for certain uses, and do some bar tool comparisons. What are some of your favorite tools?
Patreon: / anderserickson
TIME STAMPS
0. Intro 0:00
1. jigger 0:43
2. shaker 2:49
3. hawthorne strainer 4:11
4. fine mesh strainer 6:06
5. mixing glass 6:26
6. spoon 7:29
7. knife 8:25
8. wine key 8:59
9. juicer 9:39
10. muddler: 10:18
11. bonus 11:28
THE TOOLS
My workhorse double jigger by OXO: amzn.to/3lmmKrK
Japanese style jigger by Cocktail Kingdom: amzn.to/3mtKqMa
My go-to large shaking tin by Cocktail Kingdom: amzn.to/33vnMLJ
My go-to small cheater tin by Cocktail Kingdom: amzn.to/3qecbe5
Hawthorne strainer by OXO: amzn.to/2VBUSWh
Hawthorne strainer by Cocktail Kingdom: amzn.to/36smrY7
Fine mesh strainer by RSVP: amzn.to/4akT1dn
My favorite mixing glass by Mofado: amzn.to/46KrrTX
Hoffman barspoon by Cocktail Kingdom: amzn.to/3wkkDhg
Serrated utility knife by Cuisinart: amzn.to/3qg8nsB
Straight paring knife Victorinox: amzn.to/3ln3wSM
Single hinged wine key by True: amzn.to/39tNMex
Double hinged wine key by True: amzn.to/3mtKlrS
Hand juicer by Rasse: amzn.to/3ioOwFe
Muddler by Barvivo: amzn.to/2VqXZjr
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
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Twitter: / anderserickson_
Facebook: / andersericksoncocktails
Co-produced with the lovely Azusa "Az" Inaba 🎥 🎨

[@Inliner110]

A towel. The most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have.

[@Carminielloz]

Not a tool ? lol

[@kallemaki-hokkonen4850]

@@Carminielloz Debatable. It's a tool to dry your hands.

[@kallemaki-hokkonen4850]

@@Carminielloz If not a tool, what is it then? LoL

[@Carminielloz]

In Italian a tool is more like a screwdriver or such. Maybe it’s different in English

[@kallemaki-hokkonen4850]

@@Carminielloz Unfortunately I don't speak enough Italian, but a tool is pretty broad term in English.

[@johnnythepillpopper1974]

You missed the shotgun behind the bar

[@whydidyouresign]

or just an axe handle!

[@adamhutchison19]

A Winchester

[@CabinetOfCuriosity]

@@adamhutchison19 Only if their are Zombies at the Pub

[@nooper007]

You need an mp5sd with subsonic ammo. Silent, effective and handy

[@marvymaxee]

For years, I didn’t have a mixing glass, thinking they weren’t necessary. But last year, I thrifted a beautiful crystal one, and now I don’t know how I lived without it! This is a great list! 👍🏻

[@eltopojager8419]

kzbin.infouZms-yDEH8s?feature=share

[@slkjohn]

Dude, awesome channel! You have a knack for explaining things super clearly, you're not fucking annoying and you're almost clairvoyant about anticipating questions from your viewers. Excellent video production values as well. My wife and I are fully addicted. So about a month ago I decided to add a "small" bar to our home theater game room, and that's when I found your channel. Your videos have proven to be an absolute masterclass for this home bar novice. I've got just about everything ready now, but the custom bar we're having built is still a few weeks away from shipping out. in the meantime, I'm perfecting my homemade syrups and honing my ice carving skills (crystal clear ice, thanks to you). Just wanted to say thanks, and keep up the awesome content! This channel is primed to explode...

[@AndersErickson]

Thank you so much! I'm happy you're finding the videos helpful, and love that you're building out your own bar! We'll keep the content coming as you create the perfect space. Again, thanks for the kind words - Cheers!

[@o6932]

.

[@hanbala9138]

Idk if anyone is gonna read this, but if you wanna go cheap, a chopstick intead of barspoon, the french press glass works perfect for mixing. A Tupperware for clear ice and a thermus for shaking. I know i might get bullied here because of this, but it works perfectly

[@moose1689]

Would be interesting to see how to master cocktails with alternative tools beside professional ones.

[@first2summit]

Nice idea about a French press but if you're using a french press for coffee and then use it later for cocktails, you need to make sure it's clean of all the coffee residue. (I barely clean my French press after use - just a rinse.) If you're buying a French press dedicated for it, it's going to cost about the same for a mixing glass and strainer. I've used a chopstick to mix as well but I also like the spoon, not so much for slow pouring liquors like Anders because I'm not fancy, but for getting cocktail cherries out of the jar. I know you can use a spoon but that's another thing I gotta clean. No real criticism as these are legitimately good substitutes but I like going the extra step of having the equipment as part of the ritual of making the drink.

[@indigokiller]

I've used a thermos on many an occasion!

[@westarrr]

Amen. Cocktails is an expensive as fuck hobby and it's perfectly reasonable people want to get into it but don't live on a suburban budget.

[@bluwasabi7635]

That's genius!

[@sethandrew5327]

For an optional number 12, I’d add a bar mat. Before, I’d set up on paper towels (or plates) to avoid counter spills. But it is very helpful when setting up. It also helps if you have housemates who don’t clean the counters after they use them. Now I always have a clean work space.

[@tomclausing1017]

I just started watching your videos and they are great. It's nice to see an expert on a given subject who doesn't act like he's doing all of us a favor by sharing his knowledge. Food and drink are professions that can get taken over by the "snobs," but you make it fun, and you make me want to try the various drinks you have demonstrated. Thank you.

[@deniscurnow2453]

Watched this video about 2 years ago when I'd been making cocktails as a lockdown hobby, and now watching it again having worked as a bartender for a year and built up my own collection of favourite bar tools. Agree with everything on this list, and for the exact reasons you give! Love the channel and the pure joy you bring to bartending, keep it up :)

[@cassanthemum4158]

Thank you so much. I'm trying to learn as much as possible to become a bartender. I'm 60 years old and finally doing what makes me happy.

[@SebQtaneus]

Anders, I learned something the other day that I think you’ll enjoy as I’ve noticed you use your Mexican citrus press (half round lemon juicer) the same way I and millions of others have always used it. We’ve been doing it wrong this whole time. Instead of cut side down, trim some of the small pointy end of the lemon off so that you can see the flesh of the fruit. Then put it in the press cut side up. Now the juice has a way to get out and you will not only get more juice, it will squeeze easier. I was amazed at how well this worked and couldn’t believe I’d been doing it cut side down for decades. Try it.

[@AndersErickson]

I'll give that a try! Thank you so much for the comment - cheers!

[@corytoews5222]

Totally agree with this list. #11 for me would be one of those rubber drink mats. My wife got me one for nights where we have friends over and I'm making more than just 1-2 drinks, and it is a game changer for limiting the sticky situation on my bar. Also, bitters stain a lot of countertops real fast (even our quartz!) I have the same Oxo jigger. I love it for all the reasons Anders outlined, but my one complaint is there is no 2 oz measure. Considering how many drinks use 2 oz of the base spirit, this becomes a legitimate annoyance after a while.

[@dacerussell]

Hey Cory, what mat do you prefer??

[@kaiser553]

Oxo makes a noice 1/4 measuring cup that is marked on the inside with almost everything from 1/4 oz to 2 oz. It's all on one side so you never have to worry about drips, and it has a lil pour spout!

[@chandaharkins4418]

Great point about staining the counter!

[@elevenjordan4042]

Legend has it that one fruit fly still haunts his dreams. Leaving him hearing buzzing sounds throughout the day 😳

[@AndersErickson]

You win for quote of the day! 😂(it's true btw)

[@darma8030]

So Anders…As a brand spankin’ new home mixologist, I followed your tips, tricks and recipes. I wanted to be as smooth as you and got everything on this list. I practiced long enough to start liking Campari even. I dripped and spilled from the OXO jigger no matter what I did and opening my Boston shaker was a Laurel & Hardy cartoon. I finally caved and bought an OXO cobbler and the heavens opened! 😮 I swear I heard choirs of angels as my smaller hands mastered the beautiful new tin!! What I didn’t expect was how much I L O V E the integrated jigger! I cannot spill from that thing. I think it’s has something to do with the surface tension across the wider mouth like how a frisbee can hold a pint of beer. I also keep most of my pours less than 1.5 oz which makes this perfect! I was rubbish at barspoon spinning and I grabbed a chopstick to end the misery. I discovered a double ended weighted stirrer and now I’m spinning like a champ! The spout on my crystal mixing glass broke off so now I use the base of the cobbler. It’s minimal and won’t crack. I started out with your exact kit and now I have what suits me perfectly!! Anyway, I thank you for being such a great teacher as I had my training wheels on. I’m still teetering somewhat with my technique but I’m in class every week because it’s so darn fun!

[@lonefather]

Thank you Anders for this enlightening video. I'm doing DIY home bartending as an amateur and this video gets me elevated from entry level to elementary.

[@HGNMyles82]

This is exactly what I needed and it's presented in a way that's fun and easy to understand. I have to go back and watch all of your vids now. Thank you for putting this out.

[@thelightgrenade1884]

Pretty proud of myself having had almost all the EXACT items u did then again I did get pretty much all my stuff off cocktail kingdom, couldn’t recommend them enough, everything I have is INCREDIBLY sturdy, well built, and effective

[@naolocked]

This was super helpful and fun to watch!!There’re so many videos explaining how to use those tools out there but nobody explains these basic stuff. I was like “how many strainers are there and what’s the difference?! Why there’re two types of shakers and which should I get??” Thank you so much man, this was on the point and really easy to understand!✨

[@TheGuitarlad84]

I found this entire video very helpful and enjoyable to watch, especially as I had just bought the double jigger right before watching this!

[@anika5250]

Starting bar tending training soon, I learned a lot from this video in preparation. Thank you!

[@teddyrva2779]

Nice. I just came across your channel. From a 20+ year veteran behind the bar, I agree with all your picks and advice. We even have the same taste in brands/styles on most items.

[@fountainphotography8978]

Great presentation! As a novice, it really helped clarify what the essential tools are.

[@XscarpettaX]

hands down the best video on bar essentials. it should be a training video.

[@matthewsplawn2684]

Anders, thank you so much for these videos! They have been so helpful to me just starting out with my home bar. I am ordering a new jigger with measurement lines right now and looking at mixing glasses.

[@veronicadeluca6352]

Very useful!!!!!Thanks!!! I'm from Argentina and I use your videos to teach my students the bar tools and accesories.

[@davidjones2102]

Turning 21 this year (can't wait). Been starting to watch this channel cause I'd like to get really good at cocktails. This video is great for a beginner like me so thanks!

[@alexc535]

Cheers bro just turned 21 went all in with the bartending. Good times. Drink responsibly

[@alexandermeyer71]

I've seen that jigger finger on the edge of the glass technique in action! Lighting fast!

[@franklackey9110]

I just love your videos. Fun, entertaining, and learn something. Please keep them coming.

[@angelesantana9413]

Hi Anders! I love watching your bartending/mixology videos. They are always informative, practical, concise and very fun. I'm a home bartender/part time bartender & I've learned so much by watching your videos. I'm subscribed to your KZbin channel. Great list of essential bar tools! ¡Bravo amigo! I have a pro bartending kit that I bought on Amazon last year. The kit comes with a great carrying case. I love it, and I have also bought a few extra tools which I love. The OXO brand Hawthorne Strainer and ergonomic Jigger with the exact measurements clear marked are awesome! I would also include a bar mat as an honorable mention in your list. I have one and it does help. God bless you and your family, brother. Keep up the great work. Cheers! ¡Salud!🥂

[@keithpp1]

Excellent advice on tools of the trade and how to use them.

[@patriothippie5881]

Thanks for the great video. Good stuff and very informative. I've been wanting to learn how to make coctails and wasn't exactly sure what set to buy because I didn't want a bunch of non essentials sitting around. Thanks to this video and your experience and insights I'm going to piece my set together.

[@englishwithaltini]

2 minutes in and I’m already learning a lot! Thank you!! 🙏🏾

[@BIGatorEJ]

Anders is an incredible Human Being! Thank you!!!

[@cranejayromano]

Thank you for making this informative video. It is useful, entertaining, and to the point. 😃

[@fatbeard8072]

Thank you for this, this is very helpful. Now I can start my bar at home.

[@daledavis3478]

You have got to be one of the funniest people I have never met. I didn't even drink before watching your videos. Now I have a cocktail with dinner... And lunch, snack, breakfast, second breakfast and whenever I feel stressed. Thanks, bud. ❤ Lol!

[@erniearambula3525]

I found your suggestions very useful I'm often asked to make drinks when our group of friends vacation together so I decided to put to get a little more like an actual bar tending with my drinks and your suggestions are a great help for a beginner such as myself.

[@ReneeSellsLaLiving]

Great information. Thanks for sharing. I like how you did comparisons and demonstrations

[@qazmko22]

Thanks for the suggestions!

[@sipdirect]

Wonderful compilation!

[@Sammy.U]

Love this!! Thanks for sharing your exquisite knowledge and passion!!

[@AngelKimLive]

Thank you!!! You did really goood at explaining. And you’re really funny and it’s more entertaining to watch and not bland.

[@jenifferboy5385]

The video was lovely thank for helping me out, I'm a beginner as a bar atendent and now I am more comfortable with the tools in a bar.

[@Kroom-Ex]

I really love this video. It has helped me a lot.

[@IndigoWall]

Great stuff. You killin’ me w yr outtakes. 🤣

[@rachelschell6064]

Thanks a bunch for taking the time to include links! Much appreciated.

[@chelseacummings1479]

Very useful! Will use these tips for my own home bar!

[@alibartender-zj9fc]

It was great and thank you for your teaching

[@adventurousdadsclub1261]

Subbed, great tips, just built out my bar. Moving on from craft beers to the next level, keep up the great content!

[@JAG14TV]

Hi Anders! Huge fan and you’ve inspired me big time. I also purchased an ice chipping kit and use my muddler to break and chip my craft ice! Thanks for these awesome videos. As an industry editor myself, I give you an A++ for your video editorial work. Keep it up!

[@jackiem.dearroyo8739]

Thanks so much for sharing, very helpful.

[@lisandromessinger]

Agreed 100% on the top items order. Great tip pouring in the large tin, and use the smaller to measure the amount of ice. It's simple but it may be a problem if you don't have it in mind. Cheers from Argentina

[@ZerOArtGFX]

Well made and informative, thank you!

[@hbrew9348]

Lots of love for this channel. We've taken up lots of advice, ideas and yummy cocktails. I love doing different things with the happy hour time and you've been a big part of it. One thing I rarely use is my long spoon stirrer. When I bought our new cocktail mixing glass I started using one of our pretty chopsticks ... Easy on the glass and ice. We don't use them for sushi so was going to frame them. Love from PA👍🍸

[@claudelol]

Awesome video, thanks for helping us beginners!

[@andyamiri6690]

Excellent list .. don’t forget the bar mat! You had it right there. 😊

[@sunitasopra]

Amazingly Explained

[@omelo2006o]

Thanks for all the tips.! Great video.! 👍

[@Suzanne.C]

this is a master piece on tools' demonstration!

[@user-md2pf8vq3u]

Dude, awesome channel! You have a knack for explaining things super clearly, you're not fucking annoying and you're almost clairvoyant about anticipating questions from your viewers. Excellent video production values as well. My wife and I are fully addicted. So about a month ago I decided to add a "small" bar to our home theater game room, and that's when I found your channel. Your videos have proven to be an absolute masterclass for this home bar novice. I've got just about everything ready now, but he custom bar we're having built is still a few weeks away from shipping out. in the meantime, I'm perfecting my homemade syrups and honing my ice carving skills (crystal clear ice, thanks to you). Just wanted to say thanks, and keep up the awesome content! This channel is primed to explode...

[@ibirix]

For the super bonus item in slot twelve I nominate the rubber bar mat. Easy to wash, keeps your glassware in place and makes you look like know what you're doing. Cheers!

[@AndersErickson]

Excellent call! I’m a big fan of your super bonus item in slot twelve. Thank you so sharing!

[@alexhammify]

Thanks for doing these videos!

[@gabrieldepallens9914]

I’m happy to discover I have the basics. Great video!

[@libbyd1001]

Regarding the hand citrus juicer: I’ve found that putting the lemon or lime half into it “backwards” (the opposite of how it looks like it should be), will achieve much more juice extraction as it literally turns the citrus half inside-out by the time you are done squeezing. One thing to note, however, is that this method will create a little collection of the zest oils to accumulate in the dimple that forms on the zest side when you are done. If you want that extra flavor, just tip the juicer and it will fall into the glass. But this oil can also be very bitter, so if you don’t want it, be sure NOT to tip the juicer when you are done squeezing. Cheers!

[@diego2112gaming]

I juice that way, then flip it the other way 'round, and juice it again for maximum extraction. What's more, I juice the lemons/limes I've zested for my oleo saccharum that I use for making my lime syurps, giving it an extra intense lime flavor you just don't find in the storebought stuff.

[@limegreenmamba5218]

That is how they're supposed to be used, cut side down.

[@obeth9425]

😂🤣 Cheers to you, but that’s how it’s supposed to be. If you notice, that exposes the cut side to the holes in the juicer for the juice to flow out lol. ✌🏾

[@sachinronakbisht]

Thank you so much for making this video your is really very helpful for me 🙏

[@staciehaneline9533]

This is really helpful. Thank you so much.

[@oschaening]

Perfect video. Thanks!

[@davidallen4174]

Thanks, just completed stocking my home bar with tools. It's a "Murfey" bar, stealth in nature, but usable when needed. I really appreciate your help. I think I have, at least, all the bar tools on your list. My first order contained an order of 2 dozen bar towels as I think they will be the most used of all on your list. Now I'm after the perfect stirring spoon, ha, bar tools could become an obsession, kinda like hats, always something new to try.

[@AndersErickson]

I love it! Searching for the perfect tools can be a slippery slope, but the pay-off is wonderful. So glad you ordered some good bar towels - a solid start! Good luck with the spoon and everything else you seek, David!

[@watchmewatch9]

OMG...love the outtakes!

[@janhamilton5841]

Thank you so much for this video! I'm a junior bartender and I aspire to be like you someday

[@dougbeale4847]

Cheers Anders great help as always!

[@hammer326]

This video ruled, getting into mixology as we build a home bar whenever the hell it warms up here in NY and got the barillio "elite" set with the cobbler shaker. This gave me a great idea of everything I still need in plain, entertaining english while still not being the drag many videos this long are. A+!

[@AndersErickson]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you found the video helpful, and wish you the best of luck in building out your bar!

[@nikvenema2240]

I really like the OXO angled jigger. Lots of good markings on the inside and sits nicely. Plus it measures to 2oz.

[@shaddoecrow5872]

Thank you for your thoroughness.

[@thegreats1789]

I loveeeeee this. You are so awesome and funny. I added so much stuff to my amazon list from watching this video.

[@AndersErickson]

Thank you! That’s so nice to hear. Cheers!

[@TriniDaChief]

Super helpful. Thanks for the clear explanations

[@MatheusPereira-lh7qb]

I'm from Brazil. Thanks for the video.

[@orazioraffermati5303]

Well done , very useful tips

[@samirmamedzade2964]

Very informatively. Thanks for explaining.

[@zadoorjonathan5977]

Just what I needed. Thanks bro!

[@sabrinagol9454]

Really helpful and good described. Thank you very much.

[@user-sx7uv4pw5o]

A good knife is always useful.

[@Muchlistarigan182]

Thank you for sharing your insight, Sir!😊 God bless you 😇

[@Maalsa_enterprises]

Very helpful thank you for sharing

[@David-hm9ic]

Great channel! The OXO jigger wins, hands down, for me. I like the crisp edge on a jigger because it pours cleanly, without the drips that follow the rolled edge of many styles.

[@marcondespaulo]

Nice video, as always. Knife nerd here, so the temperature in the dishwasher is not enough to affect the heat treatment (hardness) of the steel blade. However, despite most blades today being stainless, they are still susceptible to abrasion and oxidation due to the various chemicals in the dishwasher soap. Also, the time a knife stays in the dishwasher worries me. Some knives will begin to rust, even stainless ones. There are different grades of stainless. Better wash by hand and dry immediately. I'm not dissing on stainless knives. The Bar is always wet and has several acidic fruits that would destroy carbon steel blades. Keep'em sharp!

[@jonathanwilliams1974]

My man...your channel + Amazon Prime is a dangerous combination brother!!! But my bar is coming along great!!!

[@PaganVegas]

Anders; it's so much fun to see these earlier videos and see how your presentation and editing styles have grown. Like all your vids, this was both delightful and exceedingly useful. But mostly, I watch because I love your enthusiasm and humor. I think I'd watch pretty much anything you decided to talk about.

[@JimmySPChou]

Useful for me! Thanks!

[@lacarlousjackson8]

Will be getting one. Thanks for the info!

[@MezcalBuzz]

Right on, I’m learning and making cocktails at home for my channel. This was super helpful I’m using an Amazon shaker kit for now 😂 thanks for recommending some brands

[@stoneleachman9647]

Anders you are incredibly charismatic, your channel is gonna blow up!!!

[@thetunjontimes7223]

Love your video! :) It was very helpful! Thanks

[@itsacopy]

I've been watching your videos for more than a year, and started testing some recipes 2 or 3 months ago (before I was only the "caipirinha guy"). Right now the only thing missing is the Mixing Glass (I'm using a big beer mug for now), and man, all those things are super useful! Thanks for the tips!

[@pesarirooni62]

this video was Very helpful. Thank you very much.

[@denisdias7881]

The mat! Super important for me!

[@keiththecarpenter5639]

Thank you for your video. It’s very informative.

[@KelsaurusRex]

Thank you for the spoon boops 😊

[@brennanault4777]

Thanks for the tips

[@Totointas]

Your video is very helpful Thanks!

[@RanaDas-we1mi]

Thank you sir you video is very helpful for new and bigner bartenders like me