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You know you’re getting older when you’d rather spend your Saturday night at the bar cart than the bar. And LBR here, it’s 2022… we can think of SEVERAL reasons you need a well-stocked home bar (even if you’re making mocktails).

And if you plan to do anything more intensive than popping a bottle and pouring it, you’re gonna need some bar tools. Fortunately, there are TONS of handy sets available that provide everything you need in some seriously sleek packages.

Here are some of our faves, so you can get your mixed drank on.

  • Tools included. No matter what kind of mixed drinks you’re crafting, you need the same basic tools in your arsenal — namely, a cocktail shaker, a bar spoon, a strainer, and a jigger or shot glass to measure pours. There are other bar tools that’ll come in handy too, but those are a great place to start — and they often come packaged together in sets, so it’s easy to start building your home barware collection.
  • Looks. We want bar tools that are gorg enough to stay on display and enhance the vibes in our house. All the sets we chose are nice looking, but we tried to include a wide variety of styles.
  • Materials. We gravitated toward bar tools made with high quality materials that would last a while. Stainless steel is best because it’s durable and can help keep your drink cold, but copper is another popular choice (although acidic ingredients like alcohol and lemon juice can affect the appearance of copper and cause copper to leach into your bev).
  • Reviews. We also gravitated toward products that had great reviews — preferably 4.5 stars or greater. Some new products on the list have sparse or no reviews, but we’re familiar with the level of quality to expect from these companies.

Pricing guide

  • $ = under $50
  • $$ = $50–$100
  • $$$ = over $100
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Best overall cocktail set

Mixology & Craft 11-Piece Bartender Kit

  • Price: $
  • Capacity: 25 ounces (oz.)
  • Stand dimensions: 15 x 4 x 12 inches (in.)

This cocktail set covers all the basics (shaker, strainer, spoon, muddler, jiggers, spout, plus a corkscrew/bottle opener), and it comes in a rustic-chic wooden crate that you can hang on your wall in case you’re short on surface space. Picture this mounted above a bottle-packed bar cart, for instance. Or, if your cart still has some extra room, use the empty crate to hold your bitters and mixers instead.

For the low price, reviewers are really happy with this set. But some say that the wood stand is a little flimsy, and that the coatings (on the copper and gunmetal options) can start flaking off after just one use.

Best conversation starter

Williams Sonoma Monkey Bar Tool Set & Shaker

  • Price: $$$
  • Capacity: N/A
  • Stand dimensions: 8 x 6.5 x 8.25 in.

This whimsical bar set comes layered with masterful puns and stacked with high quality, stainless steel tools — including a corkscrew, bottle opener, jigger, strainer, and cheese knife. They can all be stored on the monkey bar stand right atop your home bar. And it comes with the eye-catching 12-oz. Monkey Shaker too — making this set an excellent gift or splurge for your home bar. Monkey see, monkey sip. 🙈

There are no reviews, but this set is begging to be the star of your Instagram Stories (#MonkeyBusiness). Also, the reviews for the standalone Monkey Shaker are all positive — and we trust Williams Sonoma when it comes to all things home.

Best budget cocktail set

FINEDINE Expert Cocktail Shaker 14-Piece Home Bar Set

  • Price: $
  • Capacity: 28 oz. and 18 oz.
  • Stand dimensions: N/A

If you’re after a fairly no-frills cocktail set and have plenty of cabinet space to stash it, this one hits all the important points: shaker, strainer, bar spoon, jigger, shot glasses, pour spouts, and a bottle opener to boot (for when you want to have a beer cocktail, for instance), and all comes in at a sub-$20 price point — far and away one of the lowest prices around for a bar set.

But for the price, tempting though it may be, don’t expect much in the way of quality. Some reviewers say the steel arrived dented and warped, and question if it’s stainless steel at all. This set is the perfect noninvestment if you want to try tending bar at home but you’re not fully committed yet.

Best cocktail set for the budding mixologist

VinoBravo Boston Cocktail Shaker Set

  • Price: $–$$
  • Capacity: 18 oz. and 28 oz.
  • Stand dimensions: N/A

A Boston shaker usually refers to a metal shaker tin used in conjunction with a regular pint glass (as opposed to the tapered three-piece “Cobbler shaker,” which consists of a tall metal base, a built-in strainer, and a metal cap or lid). In many cases, Boston shaker sets’ two main pieces are both made of metal, but one is still always shaped just like a pint glass.

This basic Boston shaker set includes a strainer, double jigger, muddler, pour spouts, and bar spoon, and comes in several different finishes, from antique brass to copper to this matte-metallic black that would look fetching on any bar. Price varies by color.

However, some reviewers report flaking issues with coated colors — like the gold and pink copper — so stick with the stainless steel set if that’s a concern for you. Bonus: it’s the cheapest option!

Best splurge cocktail set

Mark & Graham Acacia Wood Tabletop Bar Set

  • Price: $$$
  • Capacity: not disclosed on website
  • Stand dimensions: 14 x 11 x 11 in.

It’s time to buy the bar, literally.

This acacia wood box from Mark & Graham folds out to reveal a full suite of barkeeper’s tools: cocktail sticks, cocktail stick caddy, cocktail strainer, tongs, bar spoon, double-sided jigger, muddler, corkscrew, two-piece shaker, paring knife, and bottle opener. Open the box to get the party started!

There are no reviews on this set, but Mark & Graham always keeps it 100.

Best mixing set

Mofado Crystal Cocktail Mixing Glass Set

  • Price: $
  • Capacity: 18 oz.
  • Stand dimensions: N/A

Some drinks are better stirred than shaken (martinis, for one, despite James Bond’s famous order), and a dedicated cocktail mixing glass is an elegant option — this one comes with a bar spoon, jigger, and strainer. This is great for mixing spirits with ice and/or muddled ingredients and then straining them into another glass to be served neat, when you don’t want the added aeration that comes from shaking.

The set has great reviews, and can be had for a super reasonable price. However, reviewers say that the glass on the pitcher is very thin, making it extremely fragile and prone to cracking or breaking.

At the bartender’s home bar

Absolute Elyx Boutique Deluxe Martini Gift Set With 2-Piece Shaker

  • Price: $$$
  • Capacity: 25 oz.
  • Stand dimensions: N/A

Ever wonder what bartenders are using in their own home bar? Probably something like this, TBH. This real copper (not coated stainless steel) set is made for martinis, but comes with all the basics for any good cocktail: jigger, mixing glass, bar spoon, shaker, and two types of strainers.

It’s pricey, but all of the reviews are glowingly positive. There’s nothing cheap about the set, and reviewers say that the quality of the pieces is over-the-top.

Best starter cocktail set

Cresimo 12 Piece Shaker Bar Set with Bamboo Stand

  • Price: $
  • Capacity: 18.5 oz.
  • Dimensions: not shared on website

This attractive set from Cresimo is a great value for someone who’s just getting into home mixology. It contains three liquor pourers, ice tongs, a strainer, a muddler, a shaker, a corkscrew, a bar spoon and cocktail fork, a wine opener, a double jigger, a cocktail recipe guide, and a bamboo stand to keep it all organized in.

Reviews are mostly positive, but a couple of reviewers point out that the shaker leaks. Also, a handful of reviewers express that it’s not as high quality as they expected.

Best smart drink mixer

Drinkworks Home Bar

  • Price: $$$
  • Capacity: N/A
  • Dimensions: 13.5 x 13 x 13.5 in.

If shaking your own drink sounds like too much work (it is time to relax, right?), consider this robo-bartender that’s like a Keurig machine for cocktails. In fact, it’s made by Keurig. You insert the naturally flavored mixer pouch of your choice — alcohol included — and then let the machine mix, carbonate, and chill it for you.

Reviewers say the machine is hella cool, but it’s kind of overkill for simple drinks (and the pods are pricey). One reviewer explains that it takes nearly 20 minutes for the machine to make a whiskey and cola because the water has to chill to a certain temp before the machine carbonates the bev.

Every home needs a bar (even if you don’t drink, mocktails are where it’s at), and every bar needs tools. These sets provide everything you need to craft some serious semi-pro libations. Now, what are you drinking? Check out some of our favorite nonalcoholic and summery cocktails for some inspo.