Lost Marbles

I visit the local bars on a regular basis and I’ve always wanted to get into the basics of making drinks at home, just to try my hand at it. My girlfriend got me the 13 Piece Bartender Kit for my birthday last year and I have to say I love it. It’s not an overly fancy set, but I’ve been able to make all my favorite drinks so far with it, and I’ve even learned a few new ones.

This set covers the basics anyone would need to make most drinks you’ll find behind the bar. I found each piece easy to use, easy to clean, and sturdy enough to take a bit of abuse during and after a big party night. The waiter’s corkscrew that comes with it took a bit of time to understand how it works, since I’d never seen one before, but once I got the hang of it I could pop corks and caps like a pro. The cocktail shakers fit together well and the strainer made it easy to pour drinks. The pour spouts were the icing on the cake, though. They’re fun to use and make pouring an easy task.

If you’re interested in learning the basics of bartending for your home parties, this is one of the best investments you can make in terms of having the necessary bar supplies on hand to make all the drinks you want to make, from the heat-busting margarita to the classic martini, shaken or stirred.