Best Barware Set
Making alcoholic beverages and cocktails in the comfort of your home can be a great way to learn and explore the art of bartending. Once you learn the basics, enjoying your own drink or entertaining others can be a very pleasurable experience and can also save your money in the long run. When setting up your own home bar it is important to have the essential tools for making cocktails and mixed drinks.
A good barware set is an essential purchase if you are setting up a home bar or would like to make drinks or cocktails while traveling. Most barware sets on the market have the essential tools you would need to make a wide variety of mixed drinks and cocktails including: a jigger (for measuring alcohol shots), a shaker (for mixing cocktails), a strainer (used to remove ice before serving a cocktail), a bar spoon (for mixing), and a muddler (for crushing fruits, herbs and spices to infuse flavors into drinks). Some sets have additional tools like pourers, corkscrews and more.
If you know someone who enjoys a good drink or cocktail, a barware set could be a great choice for a gift. Barware sets perfect gifts for many occasions including weddings, birthdays, and holidays.
If you are considering the purchase of a set of a barware set, you’ve come to the right place. Our experts have sifted through countless options that are available on the market today that all have subtle differences in regards to the tools that are included, storage options, accessories and other components. We’ve scoured through the product information and details to share our recommendations on five different highly rated barware sets. Our picks highlight notable product features along with pros and cons that will help you make your product comparisons. This article also includes additional resources, such as, frequently asked questions and important things to consider that will help you get the information you need to make a smart choice when purchasing a great barware for your home bar, for travel, or to give as a gift. This article will help you get the information you need to make a good decision for purchasing a great barware set to get you all of the essential tools for you to practice the art of bartending in style.
Best Organization – Barillo Bartender Wall Organizer With Bar Tool Set
The Barillo Wall organizer with bar tool set has everything you need in terms of tools, organization, storage and portability in one high quality package. This set includes a stylish waxed canvas wall organizer with labeled pockets and seventeen essential bar tools including mixers, shakers, pourers, zesters, a muddler, a mixing spoon and more. This set also has a modular pouch so that you can take your tools with you anywhere. This is a high quality set that will keep your barware set organized and accessible.
PROS:
- Includes essential tools and a microfiber towel and pocket recipe booklet
- Stylish, practical and portable wall storage with labeled pockets
- Tools made from stainless steel, high quality, durable and easy to clean
- Makes a great gift
CONS:
- Takes up significant wall space
Best Barware Set with Ice Bucket – 34andmore Premium Mixology Kit
This top quality 17 piece barware set has everything you need for a home or professional bar setting. This set includes an 11’’ bar spoon, a 24 ounce cocktail shaker, a strainer, a muddler, four metal pourers, a double jigger, tongs, four metal wine stoppers, a bottle opener, a corkscrew, an e-book of recipes, and a 3 ½ quart ice bucket. The components are made of stainless steel, so they are durable and easy to clean.
PROS:
- Comes with an ice bucket, great for mixing larger quantities of drinks or chilling beverages
- Comprehensive 17 piece barware set has everything you could need
- Stainless steel
- Reasonable price
CONS:
- Reviewers reported that the stoppers/pourers do not fit in all bottles well.
Best Travel Barware Set – Mixology & Craft Travel Bartender Kit Bag
If you are looking for a barware set that has all the essential components to craft any mixed drink with ease, plus the convenience of a travel bag, this is the set for you. This set includes a 17 piece barware set with a rustic-style tote bag with pockets and straps that keep your bartending tools organized and accessible. This bag accommodates a liquor bottle and you can carry it by the handle or attached shoulder strap. Both the tools and the bag are made from high-quality, durable materials. The set also is backed with a 3 year quality guarantee.
PROS:
- Includes all the essentials
- Convenient and stylish travel bag
- All components (tools and bag) made from high quality materials
- Includes an ice bag and mallet for crushing ice
- Good customer service
CONS:
- Higher cost than other barware sets
Best Price – exreizst 25 oz Cocktail Shaker Set 16 Pcs Mixology Bartender Kit with Stand
If you are looking for a barware set that includes the essentials, a stand, and is not too expensive, this all-in-one set is a great pick. This set comes with a shaker, a strainer, a double sided jigger, a muddler, a spoon, a corkscrew, tongs, four straw spoons, four pourers and an attractive and sturdy wooden stand, all at a budget friendly price. The barware tools are constructed of stainless steel. It is a perfect addition to any home bar.
PROS:
- Includes the barware essential tools plus a convenient tabletop storage stand
- Reasonable price
- Satisfaction guarantee
- Tools constructed from stainless steel
CONS:
- Prone to scratches
Best Barware Gift Set – Royal Reserve Cocktail Mixology Shaker Set
If you are looking for a gift-ready barware set that has all of the essentials wrapped up in attractive packaging, be sure to consider the Royal Reserve 16 piece barware gift set. This barware set includes strainers, toppers, a muddler, a measuring jigger, tongs, mixing spoons, cleaning brushes, a bamboo stand and a print cocktail and mixology reference book for recipes. This set is packaged in an elegant-looking box with a red ribbon.
PROS:
- Includes all of the bartending essentials
- Comes with a print book and bamboo stand
- 1 year defect warranty
CONS:
- Good for home use, but not professional quality tools
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of tools are essential in a good barware set?
Essential items in a barware set include a bar spoon, a muddler, a jigger, a cocktail shaker and strainer. Bottle openers, ice buckets, storage stands or cases are also great accessories to look for when seeking out a barware set with the essential tools needed to make most drinks or cocktails.
What can the tools in a barware set be used for?
The basic tools in a barware set are used for the following purposes:
- a jigger is used for consistently measuring alcohol shots
- a shaker is used for mixing cocktails
- a strainer is a tool that is used to remove ice before serving a cocktail
- a bar spoon is longer than a typical spoon, used for mixing
- a muddler is used for crushing fruits, herbs and spices to infuse flavors into drinks
Some sets have additional tools like pourers (spout accessories for liquor bottles), corkscrews and bottle openers.
What are the benefits of having an outfitted home bar?
If you enjoy entertaining, having the essential tools and a fully outfitted home bar can make your home the place to be! You don’t have to worry about crowds, restrictions, and you can choose who is in your company. A home bar also has long-term cost saving benefits. Once you have your home bar set up you can save on costs like bartender tips and bar prices for mixed drinks and cocktails. You also don’t have to worry about driving home, which can add costs if you need to pay for a safe, designated driver service like Uber. With an outfitted home bar you always know what you have in stock and ready to make your favorite blends and ratios based on your individual tastes and preferences.
What to Look for When Purchasing a Barware Set
Now that you have seen our top picks of barware sets on the market today, here are some things to consider when you decide which set will work best for you based on your needs and preferences.
Material Type
Barware sets can be made of different sorts of materials. Seek tools that are made from stainless steel for durability, performance and ease of cleaning. Consider the accessories your barware kit comes with for storage and display. Some sets featured in this article have stands, while others do not. Some come with storage bags and organizers for added convenience for display and storage.
Size/Quantity
Think about the size and quantity of tools that are in a set when making your purchase. The sets featured in this article have around 17-18 essential pieces. Read product descriptions and the recommended essential tools from this article to make sure you are getting the tools you desire for the drinks and cocktails you will be making most frequently using your set. Also look at the capacity of the shakers, buckets and jiggers to make sure they are desirable and will meet your needs.
Accessories
There are accessories to consider beyond the essentials when outfitting your home bar. The sets featured in this article that have stands or wall hanging displays make the tools easily accessible and convenient for storage. Some of the barware sets featured in this article have accessories designed for easy portability for travel. Many of the barware sets featured in this article also have recipe books. Some of these books are in print form bound in a book, some are laminated pocket guides, while others are only available in a e-book format. Gift packaging can be another desirable component that could be considered an accessory to a barware set as well.
Cost
Just like with any purchase, some barware sets cost more than others. Higher quality sets with more components and accessories typically cost more. Higher price points often correlate with the quality and durability of materials as well as function and design. When you are making a purchase the price point will also often correlate with the durability and feel. You can also look at offerings, such as warranties, and satisfaction guarantees to help you be confident in your purchase as well.
Conclusion
Purchasing a good barware set is a good investment for a home bar and can be a great gift. Having the knowledge of what to look for to make a smart choice can help you be confident with your purchase, especially with all of the choices that are available on the market today. You now have a great list of recommended barware sets with different benefits. Consider all of the information provided and your individual preferences in terms of components, materials, quantity/size, and accessories when making your choice of which barware set will work best for you.