10 Best Bartender Kits in 2022 (Alcohol Expert-Reviewed)

The best bartender kit is one that includes all the tools that you need, suits your level of expertise, and fulfills your portability requirements. We designed a guide to help you understand your bartending needs a little better so you can decide what bartender kit is perfect for you. 

Bartender sets can have anywhere between six and 20 plus pieces. Some of the most essential pieces you'll find in a set are a shaker, a muddler, a jigger and a mixing spoon. More complete kits can include different types of strainers, liquor pourers, muddlers, citrus juicers, tongs, and extra tools like corkscrews and bottle openers.

If you're starting your home bar from scratch, look for a set with all the basics, and remember you can always add on to it later. This might be better if you're a beginner and not sure which tools you'll actually end up using.

Shakers are arguably the most important part of a bartender kit since they add texture and set the drink to the optimal temperature and degree of dilution. There are three types of shakers: Boston, French, and Cobbler.

Consider getting a Boston shaker if you’re an experienced bartender or if you make plenty of cocktails per event. They consist of two tins, one bigger than the other, that fit together to chill the perfect cocktail. These shakers are the favorite of every seasoned bartender for two reasons: they make more cocktails at once, and they make them faster. 

They can make up to three drinks at a time, and the tins are easy to detach, unlike Cobbler and French shakers. Some versions have the smaller tin substituted by a 16-ounce pint glass, which most bartenders prefer since they are able to see the ingredients they’re shaking.

Some level of expertise is required to shake the two tins without spilling any liquid, making this a trickier shaker for a beginner bartender. These shakers also don’t have a built-in strainer, so you will have to use a separate piece to remove ice and solid materials.

Opt for a cobbler shaker if you’re just starting to mix your first cocktails, if you want to only use it at home, or if you plan to make just a few cocktails at a time. They consist of three pieces: a tin, a built-in strainer, and a cover.

Unlike Boston shakers, there is no risk of spilling when it comes to separating the tins, but the separation process can take some time. It's very common for the two tins to get stuck due to the temperature drop, so you'll have to find your own techniques to separate them. Putting them under hot water usually does the job. 

Lastly, keep in mind that the built-in strainer can be slower than a Hawthorne used with a Boston or French shaker, but that shouldn't be a problem if you're a beginner practicing in the comfort of your own home.

If you’re more of a collector or an eccentric bartender, you will love a French shaker. These shakers consist of two pieces that look like one when put together.

Like the Boston shaker, they don't have a built-in a strainer. Like the Cobbler, they are easy to seal correctly. They generally open more easily than the Cobbler, though. Their main disadvantage is that they're hard to find.

Choose a kit with extra strainers if you want to make perfectly smooth cocktails from recipes that contain complex ingredients like fruits or herbs. Except for the most basic kits, like the ones that only include the built-in strainer of a Cobbler shaker, the majority of sets include a Hawthorne strainer.

If you’re looking to make fruity cocktails that may contain pulp, look for a kit that includes a mesh strainer. They are good to have, as some tiny pieces of ice or pulp may get through a Hawthorne strainer. 

You might even consider using a julep strainer. They are easier to clean than their mesh and Hawthorne counterparts. Julep strainers are shaped like shallow bowls and, when placed at the right angle, fit snug in a shaker to prevent ice and other solids from being poured out with the drink.

In order to create the most accurate drink, you'll want to have a jigger handy. Double-sided jiggers come in most bartender kits. You'll find these hourglass-shaped jiggers commonly have the capacity for either one and a half ounces on one side and three quarters of an ounce on the other, or one ounce and a half ounce.

One type is the bell jigger, which has rounded cups and a midsection that's easy to hold. However, the most common double jigger is the Japanese jigger. While its tall and narrow form makes it harder to pour and see into, it also makes it easier to pour out of. It can be lenient on beginners, since its smaller diameter means going over or under the right measurement is less of a mistake.

Aside from double jiggers, there are single jiggers. These look like tiny measuring cups and usually have measurement markings shown all on one side. There are graduated versions of these, which are great for beginners since they make it even easier to pour the precise amount.

Bartender kits often have bags or bases to store all the tools they come with. You'll want to consider a kit's size, how many items it comes with, and if you anticipate traveling with it or keeping it in one spot.

If you plan to keep your set at home, a kit that comes with a base may be best. With a variety of designs available, you can choose a base that matches your home decoration or is just nice to display. However, if you’re a working bartender, a bag would be more useful so you can pack your tools up and take them anywhere.

If you like to make complex and custom drinks, choose a kit with different types of strainers, extra pourers, and a good muddler. On the other hand, if you plan on making the same few drinks, you might be better off with a simpler kit, otherwise you could end up paying for tools you will never use.

You'll want to make sure the kit you get can last and is easy to clean after each mixing session. Accordingly, the vast majority of bartender kits have tools made from stainless steel, a very durable, shatterproof material that's generally dishwasher-safe. There may also be a few pieces included that are made from plastic, glass, or wood.

Plastic can warp, crack and stain over time, so you may want to steer clear of it, at least for the most important and frequently-used items in the kit. Metal tools are often plated in copper, brass, or gold finishes, which look nice but can chip and wear off. If you like that style, check the reviews to see how durable that shine really is.

One bartender tool you'll often find made out of wood is a muddler. While stainless steel ones are durable, using them in a mixing glass could lead to the glass breaking, so look for a rubber cap if you plan to use a steel muddler in a glass. The wooden variants last long and are softer, however wood can stain, hold odors, and is not dishwasher-safe.

Some kits have additions such as extra pourers, different strainers, lemon squeezers, corkscrews, cocktail cards, ice tongs, stoppers, and bottle openers. These are all great accessories, but to avoid tool saturation in your kit, it might be better to consider kits with accessories that are relevant to you.

If you're a beginner, you might appreciate a kit that includes a mixture of strainer types so you can experiment or get a feel for which type works best for you. Kits that come with drink recipe cards are perfect for those who don't yet know many, or can't remember them!

Finding the perfect bartending kit for you depends on your skill level and the type of bartender you are. The main aspects to take into consideration are the type of shaker, the number of pieces included depending on the kind of cocktails you want to make, and your bartending habits. 

*Please note that these products were chosen after extensive research by mybest writers. The choices are not necessarily affiliated with or recommended by Whiskey Richard unless explicitly stated so. For more on our selection process, check out our editorial policy. Prices were gathered from respective EC sites on July 15, 2022.

In addition to reviewing and commenting on our buying guide, Whiskey Richard also took the time to answer a commonly asked question about bartender kits.

"Begin by thinking through the kinds of cocktails you want to make and what kinds of cocktails your guests may want," Whiskey Richard explains. "It's good to have at least one bottle each of the "big 5" base spirits (whiskey, brandy, rum, vodka, gin, tequila, or mezcal) plus a basic selection of liqueurs and mixers to accommodate a wide range of needs. 

At the same time, don't feel obligated to appeal to everyone all the time. While most liquors and liqueurs won't go bad even if they're opened, you don't want to find yourself stuck with a lot of bottles you'll never use."

Now that you know all about bartender kits, you'll probably want to look at more items that you can use to keep making drinks. Take a look at these other products to complete your bar at home!

If you still need a little help narrowing down your choices, or if you want to check out what other people are picking out, head on over to Amazon's best selling list of barware tool sets.

Author: Anel Carmona

Updated by: Rui, 7/15/2022

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