Setting Up a Home Bar - Puncheons and Flagons

Setting Up a Home Bar. Any adventurer knows they need to get all the right equipment before setting off on a quest. Being a great host is no different, but you can set aside the bedroll, tinderbox, and Hempen Rope (50 feet) for this adventure. Here are the tools and tips you'll need to set up a great home bar! Bar Equipment Many of the tools you will need for these recipes are things you probably already have in your kitchen, such as a cutting board, a small sharp knife, a saucepan, a citrus peeler, a fork or squeezer to juice a lemon or a lime, a corkscrew, a bottle opener, and an ice cube tray. There are also a few more cocktail-specific tools listed below. If you're missing any of these staples, head out on a quest to get them. Strainer: Strainers are used for a variety of tasks in these recipes. When you're making syrups or infused alcohols, you'll often use fine-mesh strainers to remove the solids. You'll also need a cocktail strainer to prevent ice from tumbling into your glass when pouring a mixed drink, but if you don't have that, you can use a tea strainer, the lid of your shaker, or just a gentle, steady pouring hand. Jigger: A jigger allows you to measure out ingredients. A standard jigger holds 1.5 ounces of liquid and may have markings on the inside or outside to show smaller amounts. A double-sided jigger may hold 2 ounces on one side and 1 ounce on the other. Always check the precise measurements on your jigger so you know that you're portioning your drinks correctly. Funnel: A funnel is helpful for decanting ingredients into bottles and for pouring mixtures through cheesecloth. Bar Spoon: A bar spoon is a long-handled spoon used for mixing drinks. Its length ensures that you can reach the bottom of the mixing glass to stir all the ingredients. You can stir your drink with a regular tablespoon if you don't have a bar spoon. Mixing Glass: This is essentially a cocktail-specific pitcher. It's great to have in a home bar, but if you're without one, yo...