The 10 Best Bartending Kits Of 2023

10 Best Bartending Kits Of 2023, According To Cocktail Experts

<br></p><h3 class=”body-h3″>How we picked these products</h3><figure style=”box-sizing: inherit; display: block; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline: none !important; position: relative; padding: 0px; color: rgb(68, 73, 80); font-family: Meta, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);”><img src=”https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/images/22-delish-ghibadge-320×125-1647468552.jpg” alt=”Good House Keeping Institute Lab Tested Badge” data-image=”nzq0p6corc5q” title=”Good House Keeping Institute Lab Tested Badge”><span id=”selection-marker-start” class=”redactor-selection-marker”></span><span id=”selection-marker-end” class=”redactor-selection-marker”></span></figure><p>To find the best <a href=”https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/cooking-tools/g41791123/best-bartending-kit/” target=”_blank”>bartending kits</a>, we tapped Estes, <a href=”https://consortiumholdings.com/” target=”_blank”>CH Projects</a> beverage director Alicia Perry, and <a href=”https://republiclatinfusion.com/” target=”_blank”>Republic Latin Fusion</a> co-owner and bartender Christian Almonte. We also consulted <a href=”https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/author/223025/Nicole-Papantoniou/” target=”_blank”>Nicole Papantoniou</a>, the director of the <a href=”https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/institute/about-the-institute/a19748212/good-housekeeping-institute-product-reviews/” target=”_blank” data-vars-ga-outbound-link=”https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/institute/about-the-institute/a19748212/good-housekeeping-institute-product-reviews/” data-vars-ga-ux-element=”Hyperlink” data-vars-ga-call-to-action=”Good Housekeeping Institute’s”>Good Housekeeping Institute’s</a> Kitchen Appliances & Culinary Innovation Lab, and her team of on-staff experts, including engineers, data analysts, and registered dietitians. They road-tested bartending kits at home to determine which ones you can trust. After gathering their insights and analyzing best-selling versions online based on factors like the number of tools and unique components included, we’ve determined that these are the best bartending kits to buy in 2023.</p><ul></ul>”/>

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1

Best Overall Bartending Kit

Mixology & Craft Mixology Bartender Kit: 10-Piece Bar Tool Set with Bamboo Stand

1

Best Overall Bartending Kit

Mixology & Craft Mixology Bartender Kit: 10-Piece Bar Tool Set with Bamboo Stand

Credit: Amazon
Pros
  • Wide variety of bar accessories
  • Helpful liquor pourers
Cons
  • Doesn’t have a mixing glass

Mixology & Craft’s 10-Piece Bar Tool Set boasts a little bit of everything. For starters, it’s got a cocktail shaker for shaken drinks (like margaritas and daiquiris) and a long-handled spoon for ones that need stirring, like a Manhattan or martini. The Good Housekeeping Institute experts say that the two liquor pourers help ensure “mess-free” and “easy” bottle pouring without dribbling. The bottle opener is another perk, as Papantoniou says it’s uncommon in smaller sets.

The sleek wooden stand keeps everything in order and will look great on your bar cart. And while this set doesn’t come with a mixing glass, the experts says it’s “not a deal breaker” since you can use another glass in its place.

  • Number of pieces: 10
  • What’s included: Cocktail shaker with built-in strainer, double sided jigger with imperial and metric markings, mojito muddler, mixing spoon, two liquor pourers, Hawthorne strainer, ice tongs, double lever corkscrew, bamboo stand
  • Materials: Stainless steel alloy accessories, bamboo stand
  • Dishwasher-safe: Yes

2

Best Bartending Kit for Beginners

Barillio Elite Mixology Bartender Kit Cocktail Shaker Set

Amazon’s Choice

Barillio Elite Mixology Bartender Kit Cocktail Shaker Set

2

Best Bartending Kit for Beginners

Barillio Elite Mixology Bartender Kit Cocktail Shaker Set

Now 31% Off

Credit: Amazon
Pros
  • Expert-approved
  • Relatively low cost
Cons
  • Some reviewers say colors aren’t the same as pictured

For the beginner who’s ready to take their at-home bar to the next level, Estes loves the Barillio Elite Mixology Bartender Kit Cocktail Shaker Set. “It has all you need and more with a nice wood stand to keep it displayed all in one place,” he says. On top of featuring essentials like a jigger, muddler, and mixing spoon, the 23-piece set includes extras like bottle stoppers, ice tongs, and cleaning brushes to make the process as seamless as possible from start to finish.

Estes also says this kit is great for mixology newbies since it “comes with some recipes,” too.

  • Number of pieces: 23
  • What’s included: Cocktail shaker, muddler, mixing spoon, double-sided jigger, Hawthorne strainer, three liquor pourers, six pourer caps, two cleaning brushes, two bottle stoppers, ice tongs, double lever corkscrew, bamboo stand, and velvet bag
  • Materials: Stainless steel, bamboo (stand), velvet (bag)
  • Dishwasher-safe: Yes

3

Best Bartending Kit for Experienced Mixologists

A Bar Above 14-Piece Professional Bartender Kit

Amazon’s Choice

A Bar Above 14-Piece Professional Bartender Kit

3

Best Bartending Kit for Experienced Mixologists

A Bar Above 14-Piece Professional Bartender Kit

Now 20% Off

Credit: Amazon
Pros
  • What the pros use
  • High-quality materials
Cons
  • Not for beginners

If you have experience with mixology, consider going for the one Estes personally uses: A Bar Above 14-Piece Professional Bartender Kit. “It’s a bit on the pricier side, but you do get some of the highest quality products,” he says. Each piece has an ergonomic design for easier handling, and one of the main highlights is the weighted Boston shaker, which pros will love. “These take a little more skill,” Estes notes. “You can strain them by lightly cracking the seal, allowing the liquid to run out.”

  • Number of pieces: 14
  • What’s included: Two-piece Boston shaker set, Hawthorne strainer, fine mesh strainer, julep strainer, muddler, and six cocktail picks
  • Materials: Stainless steel, natural hardwood (muddler)
  • Dishwasher-safe: Yes

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4

Best Bartending Kit for Fruit Drinks

Williams Sonoma Matte Black Bar Tools

Williams Sonoma Matte Black Bar Tools

4

Best Bartending Kit for Fruit Drinks

Williams Sonoma Matte Black Bar Tools

Credit: Williams Sonoma
Pros
  • Fine-mesh strainer
  • Comes with multiple liquor pourers
  • Dishwasher-safe accessories
Cons
  • Doesn’t have a mixing glass

You’ll get double the strainers in Williams Sonoma’s sleek matte-black bartending kit. The Good Housekeeping Institute recommends the fine-mesh strainer when you’re making citrus or fruit drinks and still “want to get the last remaining bits that make it through the Hawthorne strainer.” Aside from the usual essentials like the Hawthorne strainer, shaker, and muddler, this one also comes with two liquor pourers for more precise pours. Unlike many sets that might require hand-washing, the experts like how all the accessories in this one are dishwasher safe. The only downside is that this set doesn’t have a mixing glass for stirred drinks.

  • Number of pieces: 8
  • What’s included: Shaker, strainer, fine-mesh strainer, bar spoon, muddler, double-sided jigger, 2 wine pourers
  • Materials: Stainless steel
  • Dishwasher-safe: Yes

5

Most Stylish Bartending Kit

Crate and Barrel Bar Tool Set

Bar Tool Set

5

Most Stylish Bartending Kit

Crate and Barrel Bar Tool Set

Now 11% Off

Credit: Crate and Barrel
Pros
  • Comes in a lot of sleek finishes
  • Durable tools
Cons
  • Doesn’t come with a shaker

Available in range of sleek finishes, this Crate and Barrel’s Bar Tool Set “looks just as stunning in person as it does online,” says the Good Housekeeping Institute. But don’t be fooled by its pretty exterior. The experts also found the set to be super functional. They mention the tools feel “sturdy” and “durable” for long-lasting use and that their long handles are great for keeping the pieces “upright” and “organized.” Plus, the included metal bucket doubles as both an ice bucket and storage container.

One thing to note: It doesn’t come with a cocktail shaker.

  • Number of pieces: 7
  • What’s included: Bottle opener, double-sided jigger, long spade-end spoon, strainer, ice scoop, muddler and ice bucket
  • Materials: Stainless steel, metallic finish, and lacquer top coat
  • Dishwasher-safe: No

6

Best Bartending Kit for Hosting

Barfly Deluxe Cocktail Set

Deluxe Cocktail Set

6

Best Bartending Kit for Hosting

Barfly Deluxe Cocktail Set

Credit: Amazon
Pros
  • Lots of bar accessories
  • Durable build
Cons
  • Pricey

For the friend who’s always hosting, this Barfly Deluxe Cocktail Set is a great pick for their next party. The 19-piece set not only comes with “everything you need to make cocktails,” says Almonte, but it even has helpful extras like an orange peeler and citrus zester that are great for adding garnish or whipping up a tasty specialty cocktail. And they don’t skimp on quality, either. Almonte notes the stainless steel pieces are all super durable, adding that “you’ll most likely never need to buy anything else for your home bar again.”

While everything is technically dishwasher safe, the brand recommends hand-washing each piece and avoiding detergents with bleach or heavy chlorines to preserve their quality.

  • Number of pieces: 19
  • What’s included: Cocktail shaker Set, mesh strainer, straight tong, bar spoon with muddler end, spring bar strainer, jigger, bar spoon, Y-peeler, channel knife, composite muddler, ice pick, juicer, orange peeler, citrus zester, corkscrew, bar zester, round tip bar knife, pointed tip bar knife
  • Materials: Stainless steel
  • Dishwasher-safe: Yes, but hand-washing is recommended by the manufacturer

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7

Best Value Bartending Kit

FineDine Cocktail Shaker Set Bartender Kit

Cocktail Shaker Set Bartender Kit

7

Best Value Bartending Kit

FineDine Cocktail Shaker Set Bartender Kit

Credit: Amazon
Pros
  • Comes with extras like shot glasses
  • Highly rated on Amazon
Cons
  • Not very sleek

Here’s a budget-friendly option worth gifting or adding to your collection. FineDine’s Bartender Kit comes with 14 pieces for under $25, including two shot glasses and a two-side bottle opener that usually “aren’t seen with many other kits,” the Good Housekeeping Institute team notes. With over 19,500 reviews and an average 4.6-star rating on Amazon, customers rave that this stainless steel set is durable and easy to use for mixology novices. While some reviewers did say that it’s not the most elegant pick, it does come with a book of 16 recipes so you can try out new cocktails for you and your guests!

  • Number of pieces: 14
  • What’s included: Boston shaker (2 metal cups), 6 liquor pourers, double-sided jigger, 2 shot glasses, bar spoon, two-sided bottle opener and Hawthorne strainer
  • Materials: Stainless steel
  • Dishwasher-safe: Yes

8

Best Bartending Kit for Cutting Garnishes

Sur La Table Stainless Steel Bar Tool Set

Sur La Table Stainless Steel Bar Tool Set

8

Best Bartending Kit for Cutting Garnishes

Sur La Table Stainless Steel Bar Tool Set

Now 40% Off

Credit: Sur La Table
Pros
  • Comes with a cutting board and bar knife
  • Easy-to-clean shaker
Cons
  • Doesn’t have mixing glass or spoon

Sur La Table’s stainless steel bar kit comes with essentials like a Boston shaker, double-sided jigger, Hawthorne strainer and muddler. Plus, it features some unlikely extras: a cutting board and bar knife that are perfect for people who cut a “lot of fruit and garnishes for their drinks,” says the Good Housekeeping Institute. They especially like how the bar knife “incorporates a forked edge” for easily picking up ingredients.

This Boston shaker is a favorite of Papantoniou, who mentions that it’s “easy to use and clean” and also doesn’t suction or splatter when opening like some traditional shakers. Since there’s no mixing spoon or glass included, this set truly caters to people who prefer shaken drinks.

  • Number of pieces: 6
  • What’s included: Boston shaker, double-sided jigger, Hawthorne strainer, acacia wood muddler, bar knife and cutting board
  • Materials: Stainless steel, acacia wood (muddler), fiberboard (cutting board)
  • Dishwasher-safe: No

9

Best Basic Bartending Kit

Cocktail Kingdom Essential Cocktail Set

Amazon’s Choice

Cocktail Kingdom Essential Cocktail Set

9

Best Basic Bartending Kit

Cocktail Kingdom Essential Cocktail Set

Credit: Amazon
Pros
  • Expert-recommended
  • High-quality design
Cons
  • May not be the best option for beginners

Both Estes and Perry highly recommend the Cocktail Kingdom Essential Cocktail Set.“These are the fundamental tools that I think about myself as a bartender, and when I’ve had to work events or travel, these are the essentials I would bring,” Perry says. “Being able to focus on these key items, you’re able to create a quality product and put more intention behind it. These tools are a great vehicle that allow you to create cocktails at home.”

The set features two weighted shaking tins, a jigger, mixing glass, Hawthorn strainer and a bar spoon. In addition to the classic stainless steel option, the set also comes in a handful of aesthetically-pleasing finishes including copper plated, gold plated, and matte black.

  • Number of pieces: 6
  • What’s included: Weighted shaking tins, Hawthorne strainer, a double jigger, mixing glass, and bar spoon
  • Materials: Stainless steel, glass (mixing glass)
  • Dishwasher-safe: Yes

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10

Best Bartending Kit for Stirred Cocktails

Rabbit Craft Cocktail Set

Rabbit Craft Cocktail Set

10

Best Bartending Kit for Stirred Cocktails

Rabbit Craft Cocktail Set

Credit: Williams Sonoma
Pros
  • Garnish accessories
  • Stable mixing glass
Cons
  • Doesn’t come with a shaker

For those who like their vodka martini stirred, not shaken (sorry James Bond!), this Rabbit Craft Cocktail Set is just what you need. During the Good Housekeeping Institute’s tests, experts said this kit stood out for its dome-shaped silicone strainer, instead of the typical metal Hawthorne or julep strainers found in many other kits. The silicone “helped hold the strainer in place” and the “weighty bottom” of the mixing glass kept it from tipping over. Like the Barfly kit, this one also comes with a peeler and grater for zesting and peeling garnish. You’ll get a reamer to juice fruits, too, and it doubles as a muddler. If you do want a shaken drink, keep in mind that you’ll need to buy a shaker separately.

  • Number of pieces: 6
  • What’s included: Spin spoon, strainer, jigger, muddler/reamer, garnish tool and mixing glass
  • Materials: Metal (spin spoon and jigger), silicone (strainer), wood and plastic (muddler/reamer), metal and plastic (garnish tool) and glass (mixing glass)
  • Dishwasher-safe: No

Are Bartending Kits Worth It?

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In short, yes! These are great tools for at-home mixologists. “They provide all the bare bones essentials needed to make a large variety of classic and modern cocktails alike,” says Almonte. “As long as you have a bartending kit, you don’t need to shop around for much more than liquors to get started.”

What To Look For When Shopping For The Best Bartending Kits

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Function: Make sure to shop for products that fit your lifestyle, whether you’re a novice mixologist or want something with all the bells and whistles. For example, if you like garnishes, consider shopping kits with fruit peelers or zesters.

Price: Ensure your bartending kit is within your budget. Quality options can range from $20 to over $100, while still featuring bartending basic tools, such as a shaker, jigger, strainer, and mixing spoon.

Material: Almonte recommends shopping stainless steel bartending accessories, as it’s the “most durable” material and “also the best for conducting the cold in the process of shaking or stirring.”

Accessories

  • Cocktail shaker: Boston and cobbler are the most common types of cocktail shakers you’ll find in a bartending kit. “Cobbler shakers aren’t personally my favorite; the top piece that has the strainer almost always gets stuck after you shake a drink,” says Almonte. “This happens because the process of shaking with ice is going to make the tin cold and cause it to expand.”

Almonte notes that Boston shakers have two shaker tins, which “aren’t as prone to getting stuck once you finish shaking with ice,” he says. The larger tin also allows you to make more than one cocktail at a time, which is great when hosting a party.

  • Stirring spoon: Bartending kits for stirred drinks usually include a stirring spoon with a spiral design, says Almonte. “They’re made this way so you can actually stir more with your fingers and not with your hand and wrist,” he says. “It is easier on the bartender’s wrist and hand because stirring a drink to its proper dilution takes longer than a drink that you shake.”
  • Strainers: Cobbler shakers already have built-in strainers. However, it’s great to have Hawthorne and tea strainers on deck, too. The former are designed to keep large chunks of ingredients out of your drink, Almonte says, while tea strainers are ideal for removing smaller pieces.
  • Jiggers: These tools are used to help measure drinks precisely. “Always get a 2 oz./1 oz. jigger with lines that measure 1.5 oz., 0.75 oz., 0.5 oz., and 0.25 oz.,” Almonte recommends. “These measurements may seem small and not that far apart, but these incremental changes make a big difference in your final cocktail.” Plus, this can help you personalize the drink, say if you want something less sweet or sour, he says.
  • Mixing glass: “There’s a lot of stirring when it comes to making cocktails, so you need a nice vessel to also do that in,” says Almonte.

Extra Features

  • Muddler: Kind of like a pestle, muddlers are great for helping break up ingredients for cocktails so they “can incorporate better into the drink,” says Almonte.
  • If you plan to serve drinks on the rocks, considering pairing one of the best bartending kits with a countertop ice maker. “I assure you it is one of the major keys between having your drink taste like freezer ice and tasting like what the ingredients in the cocktail are,” says Almonte. “There’s a lot of molds out there, but I recommend something that makes you clear ice via directional freezing.”

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Meet The Experts

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Coy Estes is the lead bartender and mixologist for The Estate Yountville in Yountville, California.

Alicia Perry is the beverage director for CH Projects in San Diego, California. CH Projects’ portfolio includes award-winning bars Polite Provisions, Raised by Wolves, and Youngblood.

Christian Almonte is a bartender and co-owner of Republic Latin Fusion in Brooklyn, New York.

Nicole Papantoniou is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Kitchen Appliances & Culinary Innovation Lab.

Why Trust Delish

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In her previous roles at Real Simple and Good Housekeeping, Blake Bakkila spent much of her time researching top home products and interviewing experts in the lifestyle category, including those at the Good Housekeeping Institute.

Allison Arnold is the associate SEO editor at Delish, and frequently writes about her hot takes on the latest kitchen gadgets.

Nashia Baker is a commerce editor at Hearst covering the latest and greatest products across the home and lifestyle categories. Throughout her career, she has interviewed mixologists and food and beverage experts to learn about top trends in the culinary world.

For this story, the above editors interviewed three drink professionals and GHI experts to learn the ins and outs of bartending kits and what to look for when shopping. They also searched the internet for top-rated options and poured over customer reviews to find the ones shoppers love and recommend.

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