So you're making drinks at home

[k23zzz]

What kind of tools, accessories, glasses, etc. should I get? Nothing I've found has struck me as remarkable or really worth purchasing. I've just moved into my own place and I'm not just drinking 30's of Natty Ice and Handles of Smirnoff anymore. I want to step my drinking game up, but I'm not sure how to do it. Any help?

 

[scarphe]

to start
a boston shaker and mixing glass
it should come with a hawthorne strainer if you wish to go wild get a julep strainer..
and a martini mixing glass.
a citrus juice press if you do not have one already
muddler

 

[Bhowie]

Jigger and pony above all else

 

[b1os]

Yeah. Boston shaker, jigger, muddler, hawthorne strainer, citrus press. Other than that, glasses. I think you can make most drinks with a martini glass, a longdrink glass and a tumbler. You may want to get a cocktail cup and a "smaller longdrink" glass, too.

I have a boston shaker and hawthorne strainer from Carl Mertens. Good quality. But sometimes it doesn't close that good, likely my fault though. I add the liquids to the glass, add the ice, "ram" the metal part on top and start shaking. The coldness should melt them together, but that's not always the case -- after ten seconds it may slip a little and a small amount of cocktail runs out. Suggestions?

Also, while we are at it, what's your take on double-straining (i.e. hawthorne strainer + tea strainer). I don't really like the small splinters of ice, and they're often there after shaking. Le Lion doesn't do it, and the small ice flakes melt after a minute or so, but until then it's not too great imo.

Oh, you may also want to get a whisky nosing glass and some sort of glass for other neat spirits. And Champagne flutes. If you like tropical drinks like drinks like Pina Colada, you may want to get a Hurricane glass. For better understanding, pictures:

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

Longdrink



smaller Longdrink"



Martini glass



Cocktail cup



Champagne flutes



"other" neat spirits, like Grappa and Obstbrand



One for scotch etc. has a wider body.

Hurricane Glass

 

[k23zzz]

any good places to purchase this stuff?

 

[b1os]

amazon?

 

[Ambulance Chaser]

http://www.cocktailkingdom.com/