Cocktails at home: How to choose the perfect cocktail making kit

Who doesn’t love a good cocktail?

Whether you crave tangy fruits, sweet mellow notes, or you’re all about Insta-worthy concoctions, cocktails never fail to hit the spot.

But even the social butterflies among us sometimes can’t face the rigmarole of getting dressed up to head out for one drink (or two or three…), not to mention the inevitable bank account hangover.

The solution?

Cocktails at home, of course!

The following guide tells all about choosing the perfect cocktail making kit for your needs, covering everything from essential cocktail accessories to selecting the right shaker.

So, let’s shake things up!

If you’ve only ever seen cocktails made in busy bars, with the bartender whizzing around in a blur of flashing lights and airborne tumblers, you may be daunted by mixing them at home.

But the right cocktail making kit makes cocktails at home a breeze!

Once you’re familiar with the different cocktail accessories, you’ll be challenging mixologists to a shake-off in no time.

Here are the basic cocktail tools you'll need:

While a pourer isn’t a bona fide home bar essential, it'll mitigate the messy cocktail-making aftermath.

Simply attach the pourer to your bottle tops to minimise unwanted spills and speed up the pouring process, all in one effortless motion.

Finally, the most recognisable component of any cocktail making kit – the shaker.

This is where cocktail making at home really comes to life, as you transform into the quintessential image of the bartender jigging away behind the bar!

There are three main types of cocktail shakers, but don’t fear; carry on reading for a simple breakdown of each type and see which takes your fancy!

The most common cocktail shaker is the Cobbler shaker, aka the Manhattan shaker.

A much-loved cocktail accessory, you’re more likely to find this shaker in the home rather than behind the bar as it's 100% beginner-friendly, reducing the likelihood of a messy worktop.

However, one thing to be wary of with Cobbler shakers is their tendency to freeze shut when used repeatedly.

So, while it may be hard to resist, we recommend taking a break between shaking sessions.

Stepping into unchartered territory for most of us, the Boston shaker is an advanced piece of cocktail-making kit. This shaker comprises a metal tin and a glass tin, with no built-in strainer.

Boston shakers are favourites among mixologists; the absence of a fitted lid requires a deft touch to prevent your long-awaited cocktail from ending up on the floor!

Due to its 2-piece construction, the Boston shaker is the easiest to clean and reuse, so you’ll have your next concoction ready to go in no time.

But compared to the Cobbler, the Boston shaker takes some practice to perfect the technique, while some regard its lack of a strainer as a drawback.

However, all our cocktail making kits (Cobbler, Boston, and Parisian) come with a Hawthorne strainer, so you have everything you need to get going straight away.

Most of our sets also feature a cocktail recipe book, so there's no excuse for hanging around!

Parisian cocktail shakers (aka French shakers) are the least common variety.

Some consider it the Boston and Cobbler's lovechild, as it’s shaped like the cobbler but comes without a built-in strainer just like the Boston.

Like its origin, the Parisian shaker is undeniably stylish and oozes class. Popping one of these on your kitchen countertop creates an instant air of sophistication, perfect for swanky soirées with friends.

One drawback; however, is their scarcity, which can make them more expensive than other cocktail shakers.

But we’ve got your back.

Our range of Parisian cocktail making kits spans the spectrum of design, including rose gold, matte black and brushed gold and green, so you’re sure to find one to suit your taste at an affordable price.

You’re now set to create any sprit-infused tipple you fancy – shaken or stirred, long or short.

But whichever cocktail kit you choose, you’ll be primed to whip up mouth-watering mixes guaranteed to impress.

So, grab your ingredients and get mixing – or, more importantly, get drinking!

Cheers!

Don’t forget, we’ve got plenty more buying guides, lifestyle hacks, and interior inspiration on our blog.

We’ll see you in the comments!