The popularity of home bars has been growing since at least 2019, and the pandemic is probably driving these numbers even higher. Owning a home bar can be very enjoyable, but it can also be challenging.

You need a lot of things to have the best home bar. In addition to liquor, you'll also need some bartending abilities and essential bar tools.

While we're all aware of what kinds of things bartenders need to know, we may not be as familiar with some of the tools they use. We'll talk more about some of these bartending tools in the paragraphs below.

1. Cocktail Shakers

007 fans will recognize this as a necessary tool for making Bond's signature drink. However, there are a lot more uses for this special silver cup.

Among the many drinks that require a shaker are Cosmopolitans, Margaritas, as well as our very own Sailor's Paradise cocktail and Zombie recipes. 

The purpose of a cocktail shaker is largely twofold. It's a great way to mix ingredients so the flavors blend together. It also exposes the ingredients to ice, which cools the drink faster.

2. Measuring Tools

Mixing cocktails often requires precise measurements, so no bar would be complete without measuring tools. One of the most useful measuring tools for a bar is known as a jigger.

This small cup is named after a unit of measurement. One jigger is equal to one-and-a-half ounces. They often come in sets of two, with the larger glass measuring one jigger and the smaller glass measuring half a jigger, or 3-quarters-of-an-ounce.

Where the jigger got its name is a subject of debate. Some say it's just a shortened version of thingamajig. Others say it was named after a sail on a navy ship.

The fourth mast on the ship was known as a jiggermast. The lowest sail on that mast was called a jigger.

3. Bar Spoons

For those who prefer their drinks stirred, there's the bar spoon. A bar spoon is a long spoon with a twisted, corkscrew-like handle. The handle is designed this way because it makes stirring easier.

Unlike most other types of food or drink, cocktails are not stirred with the wrist. Instead, the spoon is placed between the index and middle finger on one end and the thumb on the other. These three fingers control the motion of the spoon and are responsible for stirring the drink.

Essential Bar Tools for Every Home Bar

Every aspiring bartender, whether they're pursuing a career or just want to be a great host, needs some essential bar tools. We've talked about a few of these tools in this article, but the field of mixology is vast, and there were lots of tools we didn't have time to include. We encourage you to do more research on your own if you're interested.

If you want to know more about rum, and what sets our rum apart, please visit our site. We'll tell you all about our craft, our company, and the three hundred years of British Naval tradition that started it.