The Equipment Bar List

Below are the tools of the trade that will make you look -- and feel -- like a professional bartender.

• Can and bottle openers
• Easy-to-use corkscrew
• Glass-stirring rod or long spoon
• Coil rimmed bar strainer
• Tall heavy-duty mixing glass or shaker
• Sharp knife for cutting fruits or shearing off rind
• Wooden muddler for mashing herbs or fruit
• Large pitcher
• Blender
• Measuring spoons
• Jigger measure with half and quarter-ounce measures
• Ice bucket
• Tongs
• Punch bowl and cups
• Assortment of straws, swizzle sticks, coasters, cocktail napkins, and toothpicks
• At least one basic recipe book of basics
• An electric blender is essential for mixing frozen drinks. Since grinding ice is a heavy-duty job, most manufacturers recommend using cracked or crushed ices rather than cubes in a blender. Consult your owner's manual of guidelines.