So you want to take your cocktail making to the next level eh? Fed up with mushing up your mint leaves with a rolling pin and shaking your concoctions in a jam jar? Well, don't bother heading off to your local department store and paying a pretty penny for a whole cocktail making set; you can make your own one for much, much less.
Here’s what you’re going to need to be a master cocktail maestro – for under a tenner.*
*Actually £11.20 but COME ON.
The Cocktail Shaker
Clearly, clearly this is like, the most important thing you need. There’s lots of different varieties. This one’s the most common and is called a Boston shaker which you’ve all seen a bartender slash Tom Cruise used a million times. Even better, this one’s a bargainous £5.25 from Amazon. Get one now. PS. Buying this basically means you’ll never have to work out your arms ever again.
Necessary for: The Bramble
The Hawthorne Strainer
To go in your Boston glass to prevent all your ice and excess bits from getting in the finished drink. Mega cheap at £1.28. Side note: Cobbler shakers do come with built in strainers so if you wanted to save more money you could go down that route. Although cobbler shakers can sometimes be tricky to take apart once all the ice has cooled the metal down.
Necessary for: The Daiquiri
The Jigger
Again, great name. The jigger is basically a way of measuring how much alcohol you’re putting into your cocktails – probably the most important part of the whole fancy cocktail making process. Most jiggers come with 25ml and 50ml measurements as per most cocktail recipes. You can probably use it for an egg cup too. £1.83.
Necessary for: The Margarita
The Muddler
Funny name, useful little bugger is good smooshing the physical ingredients of your cocktail (fruit, herbs, sugar and the like) and releasing the flavour. Plus, you know, it probably doubles up as an excellent method of smashing Digestives for when you need a biscuit crust on your baking. This one’s a mere £1.17.
Necessary for: A Mojito
The Bar Spoon
Apparently any old spoon just won’t do. For starters they’re dead long, so can reach the bottom of whatever tall fancy glass you’re making your drink in plus, the swirl in the handle makes it easier for your finger to grip when you’re doing the proper stirring technique. This one’s only £1.67.
Necessary for: The Old Fashioned
Like this? Then you might also be interested in:
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Jump On The BDSM Bandwagon And Throw Your Mates A Ridiculous 50 Shades Party
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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.