Thirsty Thursday

Today I thought we would talk about what you need to have a great bar!

Basic set of tools

When setting up a bar, you will need quite a lot of equipment. The following is a list of basic bar equipment you should have in your bar to allow you to make most drinks. You may also want to take a look at the list of additional equipment that will make life behind the bar a bit easier too.

Bottle opener

• Corkscrew
• Can opener
• Measuring cups and spoon set
• Bar spoon with long handle and muddler on the end
• Juice squeezer

• Electric blender                                                 
• Cutting board and a sharp knife
• Ice bucket with an ice tong
• Mixing glass
• Shaker and strainer

• Bottle sealers
• Towels
• Boxes/jars to store garnishes in
• Glassware

You will have to buy new supplies of the following equipment regularly.

• Cocktail napkins and coasters                               
• Swizzle sticks
• Straws, both long and short ones
• Cocktail picks
• Sugar and salt (for coating rim of glasses)

Additional equipment

In addition you may wish to buy some other equipment to make things a bit easier and to be able to make additional drinks.

• Ice crusher, preferably electric

You can crush ice manually, but an electric crusher it a whole lot easier than using a hammer.

• Wooden muddler
• Ice pick or chipper
• Vegetable peeler or a twist cutter for fruit peels
• Ice scoop
• Funnel
• Nutmeg grater