The first step is to get the bartending basics under your belt. To do this, you’ll need the standard bartending kit: a shaker, a strainer and a stirring spoon. You can go for either a Boston shaker, which many professional cocktail-makers use, or a cobbler shaker to start.
A Boston shaker looks like two large cups, and can take a bit of skill to slam together before shaking, whereas a cobbler shaker has a built in strainer and is easier to secure, making it a great addition to any beginner’s bartending tools. Whether you’re doing this for guests or simply for fun, it’s a good idea to stick to basic bartending equipment until you figure out what works best for you.
Once you have a shaker, you’ll need a stirring spoon. This is longer than your typical utensil and shaped like a coil in the middle, which gives it an easier grip when spinning ice around in your bartending glasses. From here, it’s a simple case of mixing together spirits and ingredients according to your favourite recipes. A great place to start is with an Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe as it’s an all-time classic but surprisingly easy to make.