COCKTAILS

Assembling Your Own Bar By: Yissie Steinhart

Spring and summer are on their

way. Now that Covid restrictions are easing up in many parts of the country and world, this is the perfect time to build up your home bar. All those guests you have been putting on hold are ready to be dazzled by your mixing skills.

Assembling your own bar might seem a little overwhelming, though. That’s why I’m here to help.

The two major components of your home bar are your ingredients and your tools.

Let’s start off with ingredients. You really need only a few bottles in order to cover the bases. The “five whites” are vodka, gin, rum, tequila, and triple sec. Obviously, the varieties and prices of these spirits vary greatly. I always recommend that you start with what you like. Don’t focus on price tags. Higher prices do NOT guarantee better spirits.

If you’re not sure what you like, most companies sell 50ml bottles of their popular brands. This isn’t just a schtick for Purim. These ‘airline size’ bottles let you try the beverage before laying out big bucks for a 750ml or liter-sized bottle.

Once your whites are covered, there are only three or four more things you need. Whiskey (or whisky) -- which is usually bourbon or scotch, or both, depending on your preference, a bottle of vermouth (promisedlandbeverage.com, FINALLY a better option than Kedem), and some bitters. With this roundup of ingredients, you can mix literally hundreds of cocktails.

Now let’s talk about tools: You will need a jigger, muddler, bar spoon, shaker, and strainer. There are many high-quality options available.

A jigger is a measuring tool that lets you determine ‘parts’ for your cocktails. (When the recipe says ‘one part vodka, two parts cranberry juice,’ the jigger saves you from guesstimating.)

Muddlers help you crush fruits and herbs into your drinks.

Bar spoons serve a few different functions. They are great for small measures, layering ingredients, and stirring spirit-forward cocktails.

When it comes to shakers, the question you have to ask yourself is, “How many drinks am I making at a time?” If the answer is one or two, then a cobbler shaker works just fine. If you are looking to make three or four drinks at a time, consider a Boston shaker. To clarify, a cobbler shaker is a three-piece apparatus you see in most stores. It has a built-in strainer top and jigger cap. The Boston, on the other hand, is two cups (usually one 18-ounce and one 28-ounce), that fit one into the other. If you’re mixing with a Boston shaker, you’ll need separate jiggers and strainers.

Straining the cocktail makes sure there are no ice shards, pulp, or other bits of ingredients in the finished product. If you’re not using a built-in, look for a Hawthorne strainer and a sieve. You might use one or both, depending on how clear you want the cocktail to be.

If you want to mix like the pros, these are the tools and ingredients you’ll need to get things started. That said, I’m all for MacGyvering cocktails, too. If you’re limited to whatever’s at hand, use a wooden spoon to muddle, and try a takeout soup container as your shaker.

However you decide to partake, make sure you enjoy responsibly and safely.

As always, feel free to hit me up with questions, comments, favorites, etc. on Instagram @bar.simcha or on my email athomebartending@gmail.com.