Essentials For Starting A Cocktail Bar
Essentials For Starting A Cocktail Bar
Are you looking to start your own cocktail bar? If so, it can be a challenging yet rewarding venture. Before you open up shop, there are a few essentials you must have in order to ensure the success of your business. In this article, we'll look at the essential items you'll need to start a successful cocktail bar. From a well-stocked bar to barware and more, we'll cover all the necessary items you should have so your business can become a success.
Glassware
Glassware is an essential part of any cocktail bar. From martini glasses to Old Fashioned glasses, the right type of glass can make all the difference when it comes to serving drinks. Here are some of the main essentials:
Hi Ball Glasses
Highball glasses are typically used for drinks with a high ratio of mixer to alcohol such as Gin and Tonic, Vodka Soda, and Whiskey and Coke. These drinks are typically enjoyed at social gatherings, such as barbecues and parties.
Old-Fashioned Glasses
Old-Fashioned glasses are used for drinks served “on the rocks” such as an Old-Fashioned, Whiskey Sour, and Scotch and Soda. These drinks are usually enjoyed at the end of a meal or after dinner.
Coupe Glasses
Coupe glasses are used for drinks served without ice such as a Daiquiri, Manhattan, and Margarita. These drinks are often enjoyed as a special treat or as a dessert.
Martini Glasses
Martini glasses are used for drinks made with vermouth such as a Martini, Negroni, and Gibson. These drinks are typically enjoyed at formal occasions such as weddings and anniversaries.
Shot Glasses
Shot glasses are used for drinks that are served in small amounts such as a Tequila Shot, Jägerbomb, and Vodka Shot. These drinks are often enjoyed at more informal gatherings, such as birthday parties and happy hours.
Gin Glasses
Gin glasses are used for drinks made with gin such as a Gin and Tonic, Tom Collins, and Gimlet. These drinks are often enjoyed at celebratory occasions such as graduations and holidays.
Bar Tools
Bar tools are an essential part of any cocktail bar, allowing bartenders to quickly and accurately prepare drinks, reducing waste and saving time. Here is a guide to some of the main tools used in a bar and their benefits.
Shakers
The Shaker is a two-piece tool used for mixing drinks. Its components are a metal tin and a glass or plastic cup. This tool is used to mix drinks such as the Margarita and Daiquiri. The shaker’s tight seal ensures that all the ingredients are properly combined and that no spillage occurs. It is also a great way to quickly chill drinks.
Jiggers
Jiggers come in various sizes and are used for measuring out shots and other small amounts of alcohol. The advantage of using a jigger is that bartenders can precisely measure out the correct amounts of alcohol for each drink, ensuring that customers get the right taste and flavour.
Strainers
Strainers are metal cups with slots or holes for straining ice and other ingredients from a drink. They’re typically used for drinks such as the Martini and the Manhattan. The advantage of using a strainer is that it helps to keep ice and other ingredients from entering the drink, resulting in a cleaner and more enjoyable drink.
Muddlers
Muddlers are typically used for drinks such as the Mojito and the Caipirinha and is a tool used for muddling (or crushing) ingredients such as fruits and herbs. . This tool helps to release the flavours of fruits and herbs and ensure that they are properly incorporated into the drink.
Mixing Glasses
A Mixing Glass is a glass container used for stirring and mixing drinks. Mixing glasses come in various sizes and are typically used for drinks such as the Manhattan and the Martini. The advantage of using a mixing glass is that it allows bartenders to mix drinks without spilling any of the ingredients.
Bar Spoons
A Bar Spoon is a long-handled spoon used for stirring and mixing drinks. It is typically used for drinks such as the Old-Fashioned and the Negroni. The advantage of using a bar spoon is that it helps to properly stir and mix drinks, ensuring that each ingredient is properly combined and that the drink tastes as it should.
Fast Pourers
These devices are designed to help bartenders quickly and accurately pour liquor and other ingredients, saving time and reducing waste. The advantage of using fast pourers is that they allow bartenders to quickly and accurately pour drinks, ensuring that each drink is prepared correctly and reducing the chances of waste.
Liquors and Mixers
Having a well-stocked bar is essential, and there are many liquors and mixers needed for making classic cocktails. Vodka, gin, rum, and tequila are some of the most popular liquors used in making classic cocktails.
Vodka
Vodka is a clear, odourless spirit typically used for making drinks such as the Vodka Soda and the Cosmopolitan.
Gin
Gin is an aromatic spirit typically used for making drinks such as the Gin and Tonic and the Tom Collins.
Rum
Rum is a sweet, caramel-flavoured spirit typically used for making drinks such as the Daiquiri and the Mai Tai.
Tequila
Tequila is a strong, earthy spirit typically used for making drinks such as the Margarita and the Tequila Sunrise.
Mixers
Mixers are also essential for making cocktails. Examples of mixers include soda, tonic water, cranberry juice, and orange juice. Mixers are essential for making drinks such as the Vodka Soda and the Gin and Tonic.
With the right combination of liquors and mixers, you can make any number of delicious cocktails. Having a range of liquors and mixers in your bar is essential for making a variety of classic cocktails.
Garnishes
Garnishes add flavour, aroma and visual appeal to drinks. With the right type of garnish, you can take your drinks to the next level.
Lemon And Lime Wedges
Lemon and lime wedges are used for adding a citrusy flavour to drinks, typically used in drinks such as the Gin and Tonic and the Margarita.
An Orange Slice
An orange slice is used for adding a sweet, citrusy flavour to drinks, typically used in drinks such as the Old-Fashioned and the Whiskey Sour.
Cherries
A cherry is used for adding a sweet, fruity flavour to drinks, typically used in drinks such as the Manhattan and the Daiquiri.
Olives
Olives are used for adding a salty, savoury flavour to drinks, typically used in drinks such as the Martini and the Negroni.
Mint
Mint is used for adding a cool, refreshing flavour to drinks, typically used in drinks such as the Mojito and the Caipirinha. They can provide a great deal of flavour to a cocktail.
Blenders and juicers
Blenders and juicers are vital tools in any cocktail bar setup, each playing a distinct role in crafting the perfect drinks.
Blenders
A blender is an essential tool, bringing versatility to the cocktail-making process. It mixes, purées, and emulsifies ingredients, crucial for crafting smooth, consistently mixed drinks.
For example, a blender is used for concocting cocktails like a frozen Daiquiri, where it crushes ice and seamlessly blends it with rum, sugar, and lime juice. The same applies to a Piña Colada, where a blender is used to puree pineapple and combine it with coconut cream and rum.
Juicers
On the other hand, a juicer is vital for extracting fresh juice from fruits and vegetables. This tool is the key to incorporating vibrant, natural flavours into your cocktails.
A classic Tom Collins, for example, gets its zing from fresh lemon juice extracted using a juicer. Likewise, the brightness of a Screwdriver cocktail is significantly amplified when the orange juice is freshly squeezed, direct from a juicer.
Ice Scoops And Tongs
Handling ice is a critical part of crafting cocktails, which is where ice scoops and tongs come in handy.
Ice Scoops
They allow bartenders to transfer ice from the ice maker or bucket to the glass quickly and efficiently. This not only speeds up the drink-making process but also ensures that the correct amount of ice is added to each cocktail.
Using an ice scoop rather than a glass to get ice is also a crucial aspect of maintaining hygiene in your bar. Scooping ice with a glass can cause the glass to chip or break, potentially contaminating your ice supply with small shards of glass. Handling ice directly with your hands can introduce bacteria and negatively impact the quality of your cocktails.
Ice Tongs
Ice tongs, while similar to scoops, provide an extra layer of precision and control. They are especially useful when crafting cocktails that require a specific number or type of ice cube, such as Old Fashioneds or Negronis, which traditionally use larger ice cubes or spheres. With tongs, a bartender can select individual pieces of ice, ensuring each cocktail has the perfect chill factor.
High Quality Essentials from The Restaurant Store
