Bring the bar back to your home with these cocktail making favourites
Many people like to enjoy a glass or two in the evening, or maybe a little bit more on a Friday night on the town. But the standard routine can be a bit of a drag, and buying a specialty drink every week can take a big bite out of the budget.
Why not try something new or make your favourite drinks all in the comfort of your own home? We've rounded up some of the best, easiest and most fun ways to make a cocktail in your kitchen.
So have a read, drink responsibly and let the good times roll.
NOTE: Prices are accurate at time of publishing.
Fred Good Measure Tequila Cocktail Recipe Glass
Who needs a recipe book when it's all written on the glass? This 16-ounce glass is the dream for a tequila lover. Seven different tequila cocktail recipes are written on the side of the glass, including a Tequila Sunrise, Margarita and Bloody Maria.
If tequila isn't your drink of choice, there are glasses available for beer, rum, vodka, whisky and gin.
Oggi 3-Bottle Revolving Liquor Dispenser
If you can't pick one, have three at your disposal. This dispenser allows you have three bottles at the ready to pour. It revolves and moves for easy access to the bottles from any direction, and would be ideal when you have multiple guests over.
Automatic Measured 30mL Bottle Pourer, three pack
This little device helps make sure you aren't adding too much to your drink, helping you drink responsibly and save some for next time. Every pour releases about 30mL and helps reduce any spills on your counter top – we'll cheers to that.
HOXHA Cocktail Smoker Kit
This is one of the lesser-used cocktail-making apparatus, but one you don't want to miss out on. Using a smoker on your drinks and cocktails can completely change the drinking experience and flavour. The kit comes with four types of wood chips to experiment with and create new flavours: apple, oak, hickory and cherry. These are completely natural and chemical free.
To use, simply make your drink in your glass (a rocks glass or snifter), place the smoker and filter on top, fill with your preferred wood chips, ignite them with a kitchen torch, watch the drink smoke and take a sip. You can also use the smoker to infuse cheeses, dried fruits and meat to create that distinctive smokey flavour.
Huski Wine Bottle Cooler
Keep your champagne or wine bottles chilled for up to six hours with the Huski bottle cooler. Made from a double walled vacuum insulated stainless steel, it will not only keep the bottles colder for longer, but also reduce condensation so the tables or your hands don't get wet. It typically fits bottles of roughly 750mL, but also has an adjustable height and Flexi-lock expand system to fit bottles better and keep them in place when pouring.
Barluxia Stainless Steel Ice Cube Set, four pack
If you want your drink cool but don't want it diluted thanks to melting ice, you need this set of stainless steel ice cubes. Shaped like diamonds, they're gentle on glass and evenly regulate the temperature of your drink through their internal design. Inside the cubes is a specialised cooling gel, so as it sits in the bottom of the glass, the drink will stay cool. Each cube is electropolished to prevent rust forming, making them reusable and able to have in your bourbon any time you please.
Wooden Cocktail Muddler and Stainless Steel Spiral Mixing Spoon
Mash up all the ingredients and mix the classic cocktails just like a bartender would with your own muddler and mixing spoon.
Thoughtfully Cocktails Mix and Match Skinny Cocktail Mixers
Cocktails, while they may be delicious, often have a lot of sugar hidden within to help make them taste so good. To help you have your drinks guilt-free, this cocktail mixer set by Thoughtfully comes with 20 cocktail mixers that are all sugar free and have zero calories. Some of the delicious flavours include Blue Hawaiian, Sydney Sunrise, Mandarin Fizz and Pina Colada. Even better: each mixer is also gluten free, nut free, dairy free and vegan friendly.
OXO Steel Double Jigger
Measure out your shots to a tee with this double sided jigger. One side measures 1oz, 1/2oz, and 1/4oz while the other measures 1 and 1/1oz, 3/4oz and 1/3oz. It also has a non-slip grip for easy pouring and is dishwasher safe.
Libbey Tiki Pineapple Glasses, four set
Bring the fruity dreams and tropical vibes to your home with these four pineapple-shaped glasses. Each glass holds about 500mL, is dishwasher safe and BPA free.
Bartesian Premium Cocktail Maker
This cocktail maker is going viral on TikTok, and for good reason. Instead of measuring, pouring and mixing your own drinks, why not let this machine do it for you? Using alcoholic flavoured capsules of classic drinks like a Long Island Iced Tea and Cosmopolitan, all you need to do is select your preferred drink strength, press mix and watch the magic happen before your eyes. To make these cocktails, you'll need to supply your own drinks to mix-in, and purchase the capsules separately.
READ MORE: The weird and wonderful Amazon buys going viral thanks to TikTok
Britor Cocktail Shaker Set with Bamboo Stand, 10 set
If you want to make a cocktail, then you've got to have the basics handy. This cocktail shaker set from kitchenware company Britor has everything you need all kept together in a classy bamboo stand. The set comes with two pourers, a cocktail shaker, a double sided jigger, a strainer, a muddler, a mixing spoon, ice tongs and a corkscrew.
This 10-piece set is currently on sale on Amazon for $45.99. If you want to have more cocktail making options, there is also a 12-piece, 17-piece and 20-piece cocktail shaker sets available.
TonJin Margarita Glass Rimmer
You can't have a margarita without a salted rim. This three-tiered glass rimmer makes it easy to add the salt, lays out room to keep your limes, and space to rim glasses with sugar for cocktails.
Diamond Whiskey Glasses, six set
These sophisticated glasses are a great choice for the seasoned whisky connoisseur. Made from a crystal glass, this set of six is hand blown and lead-free. They are designed with curves and corners to look similar to a diamond and rest at an angle. This allows the liquor to aerate, improving the taste and quality of the drink.
Electric Wine Bottle Opener
Crack open a bottle quickly and easily with this electric bottle opener. Just twist the foil cutter to remove the seal and press the button to uncork. It requires four AA batteries to work, which will need to be purchased separately.
Ganeed U-Shaped Wine Decanter
It's a well known fact that allowing your wine to aerate will improve its flavour. This stylish, crystal glass decanter is a great choice and a show stopper for a dinner party. It has a capacity of approximately 1,000mL and the slanted spout makes it easy to pour.
Shot Buddy Shot Glass Dispenser
This will really get the party started! The shot dispenser evenly pours six shot glasses at once, saving time, reducing mess and keeping everybody happy.
READ MORE: Everything you didn't think of to host a memorable party
Krosno Harmony Coupe Champagne Glasses, six set
These shallow shaped champagne glasses are made from crystalline glass and will add an extra touch of class whenever they are used. Each of the six glasses in the set can hold up to 240mL – enough for the perfect toast.
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