There are a gazillion bar gadgets out there for absolutely everything you can think of including mixers, blenders, ice machines, various ice trays, special wine racks, mini-fridges, sparkling water makers and even cocktail rimmers for sugar & salt. Although it's fun, funds are important so stick to this basic list of bar accessories.
1. Linens. Cocktail napkins or tea towels make clean-up easy and help guests keep their fingers clean as they enjoy their drink garnishes like cherries, olives and lemon wedges.
2. A good cocktail shaker. Shakers can be metal or glass, but should include a large opening for ice and a small one for pouring. For ease of use, try a non-leak, non-drip variety with a removable strainer.
3. Glassware. This completely depends on what you prefer to drink. If you're a brandy drinker, than you are likely to own specific brandy glasses but otherwise here are a few of the standards:
Cocktail glasses: solid stemmed to prevent your hand from warming the drink (that's right, you're supposed to hold your drink by the stem!).
Highball glasses: these are great for doubles including Tom Collinses, Mint Juleps and Margaritas.
Old-Fashioned glasses: These are usually shorter than highball glasses and have heavier bottoms to withstand your muddling machinations. They're also great for straight-drinkers.
Goblets: These can be used for wine, sours, flips and water.
Also worth noting, those versed in the art of drink-making usually stick to clear glasses since colored and ornate ones disguise the sexy good looks of the drink itself.
4. A glass or plastic stirring rod. A glass rod is standard whenever seltzer is involved since carbonated mixtures may collapse at the touch of metal.
5. A muddler. These are round-based wooden sticks (which sometimes come in metal & glass, but wooden is more typical) used for mashing sugar, bitters and other added flavors like mint leaves and raspberries.
6. A bottle opener. There a multitude of options for opening spirits including a good corkscrew, beer-can openers, or combinations of the two.
7. An ice bucket that closes tightly to eliminate frequent trips to the kitchen.
8. A pitcher or tall mixing glass. Mixing glasses are used to stir Martinis and Manhattans, but you will have to get a circular strainer to hold back the ice while you pour the drink. Pitchers can be great for large batches of drinks and ones with lids are preferable.
9. A jigger measure. Jiggers range in a variety of capacities from 3/4 oz. (1/2 jigger) to 1 oz. (called a pony) to 1 1/2 oz. (1 jigger; standard cocktail slug) to 2 oz. (enough for a Collins, fizz or generous highball).
10. An ice-pick for shaving ice.
11. A long bar spoon. Bar spoons are great for measuring teaspoons of sugar, stirring cocktails and some even serve as muddlers.
12. A paring knife for cutting lemon wedges, etc.
13. A sturdy bag and wooden mallet or an ice crusher for making fine ice.
14. Trays. If you don't have an official bar, don't fret. A great silver tray can serve as one on top of your buffet or an end table. Feel free to load it up with your liquor, bitters, fruit and any necessary gadgets or glasses. If you really want to go all out, have 2 or three handy - one for passing drinks, one for collecting empties, and the other to designate where things should remain.
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