My husband and I make plenty of cocktails at home, whether it’s a cozy night in or an entertaining party with lots of guests. That means we need the BEST home bar accessories. While I definitely know a thing or two about making delicious drinks at home, my husband Christian is actually the bar pro and has a website dedicated to mixology, drinks, cocktails, and some mocktails and smoothies. He loves seeing what tools, shakers, and bar accessories are new and trending, not to mention functional and useful. My house it overwhelmed with shaker sets and all things bar and bar tools! Also please see my 15 Kitchen Organizers That Are Life Changers post if you have a small space that’s overwhelmed. Or any sized space that’s overwhelmed! Read on to learn about our must-have home bar accessories, including muddlers, shakers, glassware, recipe books, jiggers, bar carts, tumblers, and more, to create a hip, cool, and trendy bar right IN YOUR HOUSE!
My Top 5 Picks:
1. Best Bar Tool Set: Terrain Marble Handle Bar Tools (Set of 4)
I LOVE getting anything from Anthropologie for my house! The retailer knows how to source beautiful items that have a vintage flair while still looking perfect in a modern home. That includes this bar tool set that features gold and marble accents. You have everything you need: a jigger, an ice scoop, a bottle opener, and a strainer. If you don’t need a bar tool set right now, this would also be a good gift for someone just starting out or as a wedding present.
2. In My Home Bar: Best Jigger: Totally Bamboo Baltique Marrakech Collection Bar Spoon
Don’t just buy any jigger! Handles are great and make things easy, but the sizing also matters! You should have ½-, 1-, or 2-ounce sizes so you can quickly and easily pour what you need. Like when I’m making a TON of Malibu Sunsets, I need a tool that gets the job done fast so nobody’s waiting too long for their drinks. I like that this one has a bamboo handle that is very durable, which means you won’t need to replace it for a LONG time, along with a stainless steel spoon.
3. Best Bar Cart: Vasagle Gold Bar Cart with Two Mirrored Shelves
You want a sturdy bar cart since those bottles and glassware can get HEAVY, and this one has a weight capacity of 65 pounds.
4. In My Kitchen: Best Ice Maker: GE Profile Opal 2.0
Every home mixologist needs a good nugget ice maker and this is the one that’s in my kitchen. I like that it has a side water tank, isn’t super loud, and within 45 to 60 minutes, you have ice! Once you power it on, this handy machine can churn out ice in 10 to 15 minutes. I find that nugget ice is the PERFECT add-in for drinks like this Rose Lemon Spritz!
5. Best Shaker (Glass): Antique Brass and Glass Cocktail Shaker
Clear or glass shakers are super impressive when you’re making drinks. They’re AWESOME for photography, but friends and family are guaranteed to be wowed too! The one my husband and I have isn’t anything to write home about, and I’m a much bigger fan of this Williams Sonoma-exclusive pick, especially since it’s WAY more affordable.
6. Best Shaker (Metal): Elevated Craft 28-Ounce Brushed Copper Martini Shaker
When you’re building a collection of must-have home bar accessories, you should have two shakers: one metal and one glass. The reason is that you might be making more than one drink recipe in an evening, and it’s a buzzkill to constantly wash it out. Admittedly, this metal option is a splurge, but you literally can’t make a good drink without a good shaker.
7. In My Home Bar: Best Bartending Book: The Art of Mixology: Classic Cocktails and Curious Concoctions
In addition to stocking up on the best home bar accessories, you need direction on what drinks you’ll make. I HIGHLY recommend this book for any novice bartenders or those who simply want to diversify past their cocktail staples.
8. Best Wine Glasses (White): Muse White Wine Glass (Set of 4)
There’s a reason why this set of glassware from CB2 is a best seller. They are delicate, functional, and so pretty to look at with the tapered bowl and tall stem. They are also exclusive to CB2.
9. Best Cocktail Glasses: Estelle Colored Glass Champagne Coupe (Set of 6)
I firmly believe you can never have too much glassware, especially if you have separate collections of fancy and everyday glasses. Hand-blown in Poland and available in eight colors, these fall into the fancy camp. You can also order a mixed set, which I think would be fun, especially when you’re hosting a party and want to make sure no one accidentally grabs the wrong glass!
10. Best Champagne Flutes: Stem Zero Nude Champagne Flute
At around $85 a glass, this is definitely a splurge, but the Stem Zero Nude glasses come HIGHLY HIGHLY rated by Liquor.com, who dubs these as the best overall champagne glasses. If you want to pay less but still get similar quality, this set of four Waterfall flutes from Anthropologie are also a good choice. The reason you want flutes for champagne is so the bubbles have a longer distance to travel vertically. Due to the glass’ narrow opening, this keeps champagne cool for longer than a glass with a wider lip.
11. Best Wine Glasses (Red): Muse Red Wine Glass (Set of 4)
Similar to the Muse white wine glasses I recommend above, these are an excellent price point and GORGEOUS! Like the white wine glasses, a tapered bowl sits on top of the stem, and they are exclusive to CB2. However, these are the ones you want to use when drinking Cabernet Sauvignon or other deep red wine blends. One reason is the design: the glass’ bowl is wider, allowing the wine to “breathe” much better.
12. Best Ice Bucket: Bistro Tile Ice Bucket
Along with my GE Profile nugget ice maker I recommend above, I REALLY think you need one of the best ice buckets for your home bar. This keeps ice cold and prevents it from melting. You should find one that’s big enough to be practical for a small group or to make a batch of drinks, like this super cute one from Anthropologie. Glass is nice, so you aren’t guessing how much ice is left, and the tile design reminds me of a French bistro with a bit of vintage flair.
13. Best Cocktail Picks: Olive and Cherry Garnish Cocktail Picks (Set of 4)
The best way to get people talking about a drink is to pop in a cute cocktail pick! It’s very important for garnishes, whether they be olives, maraschino cherries, limes, or orange wedges. You need a decent amount of picks if you’re having drinks with friends so everyone can have a garnished drink. Anthropologie sells these olive-themed picks as well as cherry-themed picks, but I love the thought of mixing and matching!
14. Best Beer Pints: Host Freeze Beer Glasses (Set of 2)
15. Best Tumblers: Riedel O Wine Whisky Tumbler
16. Another Great Bartending Book: The Ultimate Bar Book: The Comprehensive Guide to Over 1,000 Cocktails by Mittie Hellmich
In addition to the bartending book I recommend above, this is also a REALLY GOOD guide for someone who is both new to making cocktails and a seasoned mixologist. I mean, this book was published in 2006 and continues to be relevant and popular.
What to Know About Home Bar Accessories
Where’s the Best Place to Buy Home Bar Accessories?
I don’t believe barware needs be totally coordinated, like you just pulled it off the shelf at a single retailer. I think you can (and should) go for a bit of the coordinated mish-mash look. Stores like TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, and Marshalls are great for one-off items or a set of two glasses without spending an arm and a leg. We have tons of glassware that’s just a set of 2 (or 1) and if we’re entertaining, no one cares or notices! The same goes for yard sales, garage sales, thrift stores, rummage sales, and so forth. You can score cheap but one-of-a-kind glassware. And if you find yourself in San Diego, you should DEFINITELY check out Collins and Coupe. They sell gorgeous, hip, and vintage-inspired barware that looks INCREDIBLE in anyone’s collection. They’ll even ship items to you!
How to Stock and Maintain a Home Bar
Yes, I know dusting is not fun, but if you don’t use your barware regularly, dust is going to build up. Do yourself a favor and routinely dust. Also, make sure that your home bar is pet- and kid-safe. Some dogs and toddlers (along with teenagers), are not to be trusted with a fragile bar cart that has lots of glass, whether it’s the shelves or the barware. And of course having alcohol on display for the under 21 set is a no-no. There’s a reason there are locked bar cabinets!
What’s the Best Glassware For a Home Bar?
As any wine drinker knows, you can’t have just ONE style of wine glass! It generally depends on what type of cocktail or beverage you’re drinking. For example, Pinot Noir needs a wide mouth, while a bubbly is paired with a flute design. At a minimum, stock two styles of wine glasses that are suitable for reds and whites: champagne flute glasses, tumblers, rocks-style glasses, and beer pints. From there, you can get creative. Do you need a bunch of bulky margarita glasses? Probably not, and your friends will understand if you serve my Homemade Margaritas in a rocks-style glass or even a beer pint. Buy glassware that fits what you drink most of or what you know your guests tend to drink.
My Favorite Cocktail Recipes
Now that you’re all stocked up on the best home bar accessories, you can try your new gear out with some of my FAVORITE recipes!
Malibu Sunset Homemade Margaritas Kiss on the Lips Cocktail Tequila Sunrise Rum Runner
Prices were accurate at the time of publication. The Best Cookware for Gas Stoves – Check out my top picks for the best pots and pans, all of which are compatible with gas stoves! The Best Grills for Beginners – Become a grill master with these top-tier grills for beginners! Best Kitchen Organizers – I have a small kitchen, so I share some of my favorite ways to maximize space!
