Want to Make Cocktails at Home? Here’s a List of What You Need

Having cocktails is a great way to relax and unwind at the end of the long day. But contrary to popular opinion, you don’t really have to head down to the club just to enjoy your favorite cocktails — you can easily make them at home!

You don’t need to have crazy bartending skills or fancy machines; with the right tools and ingredients, you can make your favorite drinks in your kitchen and enjoy them in your living room. You can even throw a home cocktail party with your friends and have all the fun of going out, minus the hassle and the cost! To start making cocktails at home, here are the things you need:

Tools

It’s hard to make great drinks without a cocktail shaker, so this should be at the top of your shopping list. There’s no need to buy the most expensive shaker, but make sure to get one that has excellent quality and won’t easily break down.

Having a jigger is also important, especially if you find it hard to estimate the amount of liquids you’re pouring. Jiggers are available in different sizes, so check the size of your jigger so you follow cocktail recipes to the letter. If you’re not comfortable with using one, a measuring cup is a great alternative.

Ingredients

Aside from tools, you’ll also need to have the basic ingredients for cocktails. Obviously, if you have a favorite cocktail, you’ll need to find out what its specific ingredients are so you can replicate the recipe at home. But, if you want to create different drinks at home, you’ll need to have the following:

• Spirits — There are many spirits to choose from, but the most important are gin, rum, whiskey, vodka, and tequila. These are the backbone of many popular drinks, including martinis, Manhattans, and margaritas.
• Liqueur — These add flavor and sweetness to your cocktails. Some examples include maraschino, elderflower, and ginger.
• Ice — Obviously, it’s hard to make a nice cocktail with lukewarm water. Stock up on lots of ice if you’re making cocktails for yourself and several friends.
• Fruits — Citrus like lemon and lime top the list because they add an important element to cocktails: sourness. You can balance this out with oranges, grapefruits, and other sweet fruits.
• Juices — You can experiment with different juices, but you need to secure orange juice, pineapple juice, and cranberry juice. They’re a must-have for many types of cocktails.
• Sweeteners — Plain sugar is the most available option, but you can also use honey, agave nectar, and other sweeteners.

There you have it! Invest in these essentials to make and enjoy your favorite cocktails right at home!