A shaker gets the attention, but most of the work behind a good drink happens with the small tools around it. The jigger decides whether a margarita is balanced or sour. The strainer decides whether it arrives clean or full of ice shards and lime pulp. The bar spoon and mixing glass make every stirred drink, and the muddler is how fresh mint, lime or jalapeño gets into a glass.
This guide is about those tools. If you already own a shaker, or plan to buy a good one on its own, a tool set fills in the rest of the bar without paying again for a shaker you do not need. If you want everything in one box with the shaker at the center, our guide to the best cocktail shaker set covers those kits instead.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a working Mexican kitchen looks for in bar tools, the makers’ own specifications and published buyer reports, which we cite.
Quick verdict: which cocktail tool set to buy
For most home bars that already have a shaker, the best cocktail tool set is the A Bar Above 10-piece mixing glass set: a lead-free crystal mixing glass, a 12-inch bar spoon, a julep strainer, a 1 oz/2 oz bell jigger and six picks, with the metal tools in 304 stainless steel and everything dishwasher safe, according to the maker. For a shaker you already own, add the TheBarsentials strainer set, which gives you all three strainers plus a jigger and spoon. On a tight budget, the Homestia three-piece set covers the jigger, spoon and muddler.
The rest of this page explains which tools matter, which sets include them, and how to choose between a stand, a roll and a drawer.
Five tool sets compared
Our five standout picks, one for each kind of home bar, with the contents and materials each maker or listing states. All seven sets are reviewed in full below.
| Tool set | Best for | Key tools | Shaker? | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
A Bar Above Mixing Glass Set, 10-PieceBest overall
|
Stirred drinks, a shaker already owned | Mixing glass, spoon, julep strainer, jigger, picks | No | View on Amazon |
TheBarsentials Strainer Set with Jigger, 5-PieceBest strainer set
|
Completing a shaker you own | Hawthorne, julep, fine mesh, spoon, jigger | No | View on Amazon |
Twine Bar Tool Set, 4-PieceBest for a bar cart
|
Tools on display in a small space | Hawthorne strainer, jigger, citrus knife, ice tongs, stand | No | View on Amazon |
Barillio Bartender Kit Bag, 17-PieceBest tool roll
|
Carrying a full kit to parties | 17 stainless tools in a waxed canvas roll | Yes | View on Amazon |
| The three basics for little money | Japanese jigger, muddler, 12-inch spoon | No | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Contents, materials and care are as stated by each maker or listing; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best cocktail tool set
These seven sets are built around tools rather than shakers: mixing glass kits for stirred drinks, a strainer set, a display set, a travel roll, a pair of bar spoons and a budget trio. Only the travel roll includes a shaker. Each pick explains who it suits and gives one honest reason to skip it.
1. A Bar Above Mixing Glass Set, 10-Piece – A Complete Stirring Station
A Bar Above says its tools are designed by bartenders, and this set covers everything a shaker does not: the stirred side of the bar. You get a crystal mixing glass, a 12-inch spiral bar spoon, a julep strainer, a double-sided bell jigger and six stainless cocktail picks. A Bar Above’s own page gives the jigger as 1 ounce and 2 ounces with markings every quarter ounce, which covers every measure in a classic margarita or a paloma.
The materials are clearly stated, which is not true of many sets. The mixing glass is lead-free crystal with a weighted base, handmade according to the maker, and the spoon, jigger, strainer and picks are 304 stainless steel. A Bar Above says the metal tools are dishwasher safe in home and most commercial dishwashers, and its site says the mixing glass is dishwasher safe too. The julep strainer is designed to fit the glass.
What it does not include is a Hawthorne strainer or a muddler, the two tools you need for shaken and muddled drinks. If you already own a shaker and a strainer, that does not matter; if not, pair it with the strainer set below. The maker does not state the glass’s capacity.
Why we like it
- Bell jigger, 1 oz and 2 oz, marked every 1/4 oz
- 304 stainless steel tools, lead-free crystal glass
- Dishwasher safe, glass included, according to the maker
- Designed by bartenders, according to A Bar Above
Key specifications
| Pieces | 10 |
|---|---|
| Included tools | Mixing glass, 12-inch spiral bar spoon, julep strainer, 1 oz/2 oz bell jigger, 6 picks |
| Material/finish | 304 stainless steel, polished; lead-free crystal glass |
| Shaker included | No |
| Case/stand | None |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes, tools and glass (maker) |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Care | Home or commercial dishwasher |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you already shake drinks and want to start stirring them properly, or want a set with clearly stated materials and care from a bar-tool maker.
Skip it if you need tools for shaken and muddled drinks first. It has no Hawthorne strainer and no muddler.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Clear materials and care
- Accurate, well-marked jigger
- Everything dishwasher safe
Cons
- No Hawthorne strainer or muddler
- Glass capacity not stated
- Glass can break
2. TheBarsentials Strainer Set with Jigger, 5-Piece – Every Strainer You Need
If you own a shaker and nothing else, this is the set that completes it. It contains the three strainers a bar uses: a Hawthorne with a spring, for shaker tins; a julep, for a mixing glass; and a conical fine-mesh strainer for double-straining. Add an 11-inch twisted stirring spoon and a Japanese-style jigger and you have the core tool kit in five pieces.
The listing gives useful detail. The Hawthorne is 3.5 inches across and 6.5 inches long, the julep 3 inches across, the fine mesh 3.3 inches across and 9 inches long. The jigger pours 1 and 2 ounces, with lines inside for half, three-quarter and one-and-a-half ounces. All of it is 304 stainless steel and dishwasher safe, according to the listing.
Double-straining, holding the fine mesh under the Hawthorne as you pour, is how bars keep ice chips and pulp out of a margarita served up. Our guide to the best cocktail shaker strainer explains each strainer in more depth. TheBarsentials is a smaller brand than A Bar Above or Cocktail Kingdom, and the listing does not say where the tools are made.
Why we like it
- Hawthorne, julep and fine-mesh strainers in one set
- Japanese jigger, 1 oz/2 oz with inner lines
- Dimensions stated for every strainer
- 304 stainless steel, dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Pieces | 5 |
|---|---|
| Included tools | Hawthorne, julep and fine-mesh strainers, 11-inch spoon, 1 oz/2 oz jigger |
| Material/finish | 304 stainless steel, silver |
| Shaker included | No |
| Case/stand | None |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes (listing) |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Care | Dishwasher; rinse fine mesh promptly |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you have a shaker and want to strain, measure and stir properly without buying another shaker.
Skip it if you want a muddler. It is the one basic tool this set leaves out.
Pros and cons
Pros
- All three strainer types
- Clearly marked jigger
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- No muddler
- Lesser-known brand
- No case or stand
3. Barillio 24 oz Crystal Mixing Glass Set with Bamboo Stand, 7-Piece – Stirring Kit With a Muddler
Barillio’s mixing glass set takes the same approach as the A Bar Above kit but swaps in two tools a margarita drinker will use: a muddler and a Hawthorne strainer. The listing names a 24-ounce crystal mixing glass, a Hawthorne strainer, a double jigger, a ridged muddler, a spiral mixing spoon, a recipe booklet and a bamboo stand that keeps the tools upright beside the glass.
The Hawthorne strainer is the important difference. It fits shaker tins as well as the mixing glass, so this set works with any Boston shaker you already own, and the ridged muddler handles mint, lime wedges or a slice of jalapeño. The 24-ounce glass has a weighted base, thick walls and a pouring beak according to the listing, a generous size for stirring two drinks, and Barillio describes it as seamless lead-free crystal.
The listing is vaguer than A Bar Above’s in other ways. It does not state the steel grade of the tools, whether they are dishwasher safe, or where the set is made. Barillio does back it with a lifetime warranty, per the listing. Treat it as a hand-wash set until you know otherwise.
Why we like it
- 24-ounce lead-free crystal mixing glass with pour beak, per Barillio
- Hawthorne strainer fits tins as well as the glass
- Includes a muddler and a double jigger
- Bamboo stand keeps the tools together
Key specifications
| Pieces | 7 (listing count, including recipe booklet) |
|---|---|
| Included tools | 24 oz mixing glass, Hawthorne strainer, double jigger, ridged muddler, spiral mixing spoon |
| Material/finish | Lead-free crystal glass (listing); metal tools, grade not stated |
| Shaker included | No |
| Case/stand | Bamboo stand |
| Dishwasher safe | Not stated |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Care | Not stated; hand washing is the safe choice |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want one set for stirring and for the tools a shaker needs, especially if you make muddled drinks.
Skip it if you want stated materials and care for the metal tools. A Bar Above’s set spells both out; this listing does not.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Works with tins and the glass
- Muddler included
- Large 24-ounce glass, lead-free per the maker
Cons
- Care not stated
- Steel grade not stated
- Stand takes counter space
4. Twine Bar Tool Set, 4-Piece – Gold Tools on a Marble Stand
Twine is a barware brand, and this set is designed for display. A Hawthorne strainer, a double jigger, a citrus knife and ice tongs sit on a white marble stand. The listing says the stand organizes the tools and suits a bar cart or a patio setup, keeping them at hand without clutter.
The tool choice is sensible for everyday mixed drinks. The Hawthorne strainer covers a shaker you already own, a double jigger measures the two most common pours, the citrus knife cuts lime wheels and twists, and the tongs put a clean cube in the glass.
The tools are stainless steel with a gold finish. The listing gives no steel grade, no jigger sizes and no care instructions, and it states no warranty. Plated finishes last longer with gentle care, as a rule, so plan on hand washing and drying the whole set.
Why we like it
- Four tools on a white marble stand
- Small footprint for a bar cart or counter
- Hawthorne strainer, double jigger, citrus knife, ice tongs
- Gold-finish stainless steel
Key specifications
| Pieces | 4 tools plus stand |
|---|---|
| Included tools | Hawthorne strainer, double jigger, citrus knife, ice tongs |
| Material/finish | Gold-finish stainless steel (grade not stated), marble |
| Shaker included | No |
| Case/stand | White marble stand |
| Dishwasher safe | Not stated |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Care | Not stated; hand wash |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if your bar lives on a cart or shelf and you want the tools on display and within reach.
Skip it if you want measured details. Twine does not give the jigger sizes, and there is no muddler or bar spoon in the set.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Compact display stand
- Hawthorne strainer included
- Citrus knife for garnishes
Cons
- Jigger sizes not stated
- Care not stated
- No muddler or bar spoon
5. Barillio Bartender Kit Bag, 17-Piece – A Full Kit You Can Carry
A tool roll is how many bartenders carry their own kit, and Barillio’s version is a waxed canvas roll-up bag with a 17-piece stainless steel tool set and a shaker inside. This is the one pick here that includes a shaker, because a travel kit that leaves it out is not much use at someone else’s party.
The bag is the reason to buy it. Barillio describes a large zippered compartment for the shaker, four adjustable hook-and-loop straps, 30 straps and pockets for tools, a mesh pocket for long utensils and a secure pocket for small accessories. The waxed canvas is water resistant, according to the listing, and the bag closes with two buckles on leather straps and has a handle and a shoulder strap.
The tools are rustproof, dishwasher-safe stainless steel with a silver finish, Barillio says, but the Amazon listing does not itemise the 17 pieces or give the shaker’s type or size. Retailer and review pages describe strainers, a muddler, a jigger, a spoon, tongs, pourers and a citrus squeezer among them, but we could not confirm the exact list from the maker, so check the box contents in the listing photos before you buy.
Why we like it
- Waxed canvas roll, water resistant per the listing
- Dedicated shaker compartment and 30 tool slots
- Handle and shoulder strap for carrying
- Stainless tools, dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Pieces | 17 tools plus bag |
|---|---|
| Included tools | Not itemised in the listing; includes a shaker |
| Material/finish | Stainless steel, silver finish; waxed canvas bag |
| Shaker included | Yes (type and size not stated) |
| Case/stand | Waxed canvas roll-up bag, buckles, strap |
| Dishwasher safe | Tools yes (listing) |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Care | Dishwasher for tools; keep canvas dry |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you mix drinks away from home, at parties, cabins or tailgates, or want a kit that stores neatly rolled up in a cupboard.
Skip it if you want to know exactly what you are buying. The listing does not itemise the tools or describe the shaker.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Portable, organised roll
- Shaker included
- Water-resistant canvas
Cons
- Contents not itemised
- Shaker size not stated
- Bulky for a drawer
6. A Bar Above Bar Spoon Set, 2-Piece – Two Spoons for Two Stirring Styles
A bar spoon is the tool home bartenders most often make do without, using a teaspoon or chopstick instead. This pair from A Bar Above gives you two 12-inch spoons, one with a spiral handle and one smooth, designed by a career bartender according to the maker. The spiral handle gives more grip; the smooth one turns with less resistance when you stir, as A Bar Above describes them.
Twelve inches reaches the bottom of a standard mixing glass or a large shaker tin, and the maker gives the bowl as 2.5 ml, handy for a small dash of syrup or agave. A Bar Above makes them from 304 stainless steel with reinforced welds and a mirror polish, and says they are dishwasher safe.
It is a narrow set, two spoons and nothing else, but if you already own a shaker, a strainer and a jigger, a proper spoon is often the missing piece, and having two lets you stir one drink while another waits.
Why we like it
- One spiral and one smooth 12-inch spoon
- 2.5 ml bowl for small measures
- 304 stainless steel, reinforced welds
- Dishwasher safe, according to the maker
Key specifications
| Pieces | 2 |
|---|---|
| Included tools | 12-inch spiral bar spoon, 12-inch smooth bar spoon |
| Material/finish | 304 stainless steel, mirror polished |
| Shaker included | No |
| Case/stand | None |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Care | Dishwasher |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if your tool drawer has everything but a real bar spoon, or you want a better spoon than the one in a budget set.
Skip it if you need several tools at once. A wider set gives you a spoon along with the rest.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Two handle styles
- Full 12-inch reach
- Clearly stated steel grade
Cons
- Spoons only
- No muddler end
- Long for small glasses
7. Homestia Muddler, Bar Spoon and Jigger Set, 3-Piece – The Basics for Less
If you want the three tools that come up in almost every recipe, measure, stir and muddle, and little else, this Homestia trio is the inexpensive way to get them. It contains a Japanese-style double jigger, a stainless steel muddler and a 12-inch twisted bar spoon with a small fork at the end for spearing olives, cherries or citrus.
Homestia describes the muddler as weighted, for crushing mint, citrus, herbs, berries and sugar cubes, and the whole set as food-grade stainless steel with a polished mirror finish. A steel muddler will not crack or absorb flavors the way an old wooden one can, though steel is harder on a thin glass, so muddle in a shaker tin or a sturdy glass.
The listing does not state the jigger’s sizes, the steel grade or the care instructions, so check the jigger’s markings when it arrives. Add a Hawthorne strainer and you have a complete shaken-drink kit for very little.
Why we like it
- Jigger, muddler and 12-inch spoon in one box
- Weighted stainless steel muddler
- Spoon with a garnish fork
- Gift-boxed, according to the listing
Key specifications
| Pieces | 3 |
|---|---|
| Included tools | Japanese-style double jigger, muddler, 12-inch twisted spoon with fork |
| Material/finish | Food-grade stainless steel, mirror polish (grade not stated) |
| Shaker included | No |
| Case/stand | Gift box |
| Dishwasher safe | Not stated |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Care | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Choose it as a first set of tools, a stocking filler for a new home bartender, or a spare kit for the patio.
Skip it if you want stated jigger sizes and care. Spend a little more on a set from a bar-tool maker that spells them out.
Pros and cons
Pros
- The three basic tools
- Steel muddler will not crack
- Low cost
Cons
- Jigger sizes not stated
- Care not stated
- No strainer
How to choose a cocktail tool set
Most sets look complete in the photo. The test is whether they include the tools you will actually reach for, made well enough to measure and strain properly. Start with what you already own and fill the gaps.
1. The jigger: accuracy first
A jigger is a double-ended measure, and it matters more than any other tool here, because cocktails are built on small, exact amounts. The International Bartenders Association’s margarita is 50 ml of tequila, 20 ml of orange liqueur and 15 ml of lime juice. Look for a jigger with marked inner lines, ideally at quarter, half and three-quarter ounce, like the A Bar Above bell jigger or the Japanese jigger in TheBarsentials set. Japanese-style jiggers are tall and narrow, which makes small measures easier to read; bell jiggers are steadier to pour from.
2. Strainers: which ones you need
- Hawthorne: a flat strainer with a spring, made to sit in a shaker tin. If you shake drinks, you need one.
- Julep: a perforated bowl that fits a mixing glass. Needed only for stirred drinks.
- Fine mesh: a small conical sieve held under the Hawthorne to catch ice chips and pulp, for drinks served without ice.
Many sets include only one. Our guide to the best cocktail shaker strainer goes through each type.
3. The bar spoon and mixing glass
A bar spoon needs reach: 11 to 12 inches gets to the bottom of a mixing glass or large tin. A twisted handle gives grip; a smooth one stirs with less drag. A mixing glass is only worth having if you make stirred drinks; for a margarita bar, the spoon matters more than the glass.
4. The muddler
Muddlers press herbs, citrus and chiles to release their oils and juice. Wood is traditional and gentle on glass; stainless steel will not crack or hold flavors; nylon heads, as on OXO’s muddler, are gentle on glass too. Look for a flat or lightly toothed end and enough length to reach the bottom of a shaker tin.
5. Stand, roll or drawer
A stand, like Twine’s, keeps tools on display and within reach on a bar cart. A roll, like Barillio’s, protects them in transport. A drawer is free. Decide where the tools will live before paying for a stand or bag you may not use.
6. Materials and care
Prefer sets that state the steel grade, usually 304 (also called 18/8) stainless steel, and say whether the tools are dishwasher safe, as A Bar Above and TheBarsentials do. Plated finishes such as gold and copper, and anything wooden, are generally better washed by hand. A garnish tool such as a Viski channel knife is a useful extra if your set has no peeler: Viski describes a curved stainless blade on a walnut handle for cutting citrus peel into ribbons.
How we chose these seven sets
We looked for sets built around bar tools rather than shakers, because our shaker set guide already covers kits with the shaker at the center, including Cocktail Kingdom’s Essential set and A Bar Above’s 14-piece kit. We preferred identifiable makers that state materials and care, such as A Bar Above, and then added sets that fill specific gaps: strainers, a display stand, a travel roll and a budget trio. We checked contents, materials and care on each maker’s Amazon listing and, where available, the maker’s own site, and said where a listing leaves something out. Every pick was in stock when we checked; OXO’s six-piece barware set and Barfly’s basics sets were low in stock or unavailable and were left out, as were dozens of near-identical unbranded kits and crystal mixing glasses whose makers give no lead-free statement. We have not used these sets ourselves; where we describe a tool’s purpose or quality, we say whose description it is.
Bar tool questions, answered
What tools are in a basic cocktail tool set?
The basics are a jigger, a bar spoon, a Hawthorne strainer and a muddler, plus a shaker if you do not already own one. A mixing glass, julep strainer and fine-mesh strainer come next if you make stirred drinks or serve drinks without ice.
Is it better to buy a cocktail tool set or individual tools?
A set is cheaper and easier for a first bar. Individual tools let you choose the best of each, which matters most for the jigger and strainer. A good middle route is a small, well-made set, such as the A Bar Above or TheBarsentials sets above, then upgrading single pieces as you go.
Do I need a mixing glass?
Only for stirred drinks such as a martini, Manhattan or old fashioned. Margaritas, palomas and most citrus drinks are shaken, so a shaker tin, strainer and jigger matter more.
What is the difference between a Hawthorne and a julep strainer?
A Hawthorne strainer has a coiled spring and sits inside a shaker tin; a julep strainer is a perforated bowl that sits inside a mixing glass. Use the Hawthorne for shaken drinks and the julep for stirred ones.
Are cocktail tools dishwasher safe?
Plain stainless steel tools usually are, and A Bar Above, TheBarsentials and Barillio (for its kit bag) say theirs are. Wood, plated finishes and some listings that do not mention care are safer washed by hand and dried straight away.
Why does a jigger matter so much?
Because the balance of a drink depends on small amounts, and because it keeps the alcohol in each drink known. The 50 ml of tequila in an IBA margarita is slightly more than one U.S. standard drink, which the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines as 1.5 fluid ounces of 40 percent spirit. Measure rather than free-pour, drink responsibly, and never drink and drive.
The tool set we would start with
Start with the A Bar Above 10-piece mixing glass set if you already shake drinks and want to stir them properly, and add TheBarsentials strainer set if your shaker has no strainer. Choose the Barillio mixing glass set for a muddler and a Hawthorne in one box, the Twine set for a bar cart, the Barillio kit bag for drinks away from home, and the Homestia trio to spend the least.
For the shaker itself, see our guide to the best cocktail shaker, or the best cocktail shaker set for a shaker and tools together. Our hub on margarita accessories adds the squeezer, salt rimmer and glasses, and a good lime squeezer makes fresh juice quick.
Just need to open bottles? See our guide to the best bottle openers.
Related guide: Best bitters bottles.
And if you would rather someone else made the drinks tonight, see our drinks and the menu, or call to order.