Happy Hour

So you’ve got a brand-new bar cart or cabinet (or you’re making room in a buffet or kitchen cabinet), and you want to know how to stock it. We’re here to help with the key ingredients you need for a well-equipped bar, so you’re ready for a big party or just friends stopping by unexpectedly.

Bar Tools

You’ve seen those bar tool sets, but do you really need all those things and what are they used for, anyway? The short answer is, if you’re only going to drink wine + beer, invest in a good corkscrew and a couple bottle openers it’s good to have extras for parties. But if you plan on mixing any cocktails, it’s also useful to have:

1. Jigger

Super helpful for measuring out liquor so you don’t overserve your guests—or yourself! The standard double jigger has a one-ounce (or “pony”) measure on one side and the standard 1.5 ounce on the other side. (Pour freehand at your own risk!)

2. Cocktail Shaker

Even if you’re not making martinis, cocktail shakers are a great tool to make sure your ingredients are blended thoroughly and chilled and it adds some  effervescence, too. Metal ones help chill your drink (then strain the ice if you don’t want it to get watered down).

You might also want to add (limited to West Elm retail stores, and subject to stock availability):

3. Strainer

If you’re squeezing lemons or limes, muddling in fruit or herbs or want an ice-free drink, a strainer comes in handy. There’s the old-fashioned julep strainer (like an oversized, perforated spoon) or the classic Hawthorne strainer (the kind with a curly spring around the outside). 

4. Citrus Press

This can be a basic hand press or an electric juicer, but if you value fresh lime, lemon or fruit juices in your cocktail, this is great to have. 

5. Muddler

This simple tool, usually wood or stainless steel with a ridged or toothed end, is used to crush or “muddle” fruits, mint leaves and herbs, releasing the flavors + oils. A pro move well worth the small investment.

6. Tongs

These always come in handy for grabbing ice or garnishes.

7. Bar Spoon

Whether stirring tall drinks or fishing out maraschino cherries or olives, this long-handled spoon with a small bowl does the trick (easy sub: an iced tea spoon).

Glassware

You don’t need lots of fancy glasses taking up space in your bar cabinet, but you will probably want to invest in:

Red + White Wine Glasses

Red wine glasses are a bit taller with a larger bowl than white wine glasses, because bold red wines need more room to release their aroma and flavor. If you’re not a big wine drinker and you only want one type of wine glass, go for red.

Double Old-Fashioned Glasses (also known as rocks glasses)

These shorter glasses generally hold 8-12 ounces and are used for liquor-centric drinks like their namesake Old Fashioned, whiskey or bourbon.

Highball Glasses (also known as Collins glasses)

Tall glasses that generally hold 12-16 ounces are used for drinks with soda or mixers and lots of ice, like Gin + Tonic, Dark + Stormy, Cape Cod and so forth.

Depending on your drink preferences, you may eventually want to add (limited to West Elm retail stores, and subject to stock availability):

Martini Glasses

Stemmed glasses are best when you’re serving a shaken or stirred drink without ice, like a martini or Manhattan, because the stem prevents your hand from warming the glass.

Champagne Flutes

A narrower flute or tulip-shaped glass preserves the bubbles, but in a pinch you can also serve champagne or prosecco in a white wine glass.

Pilsner Glasses

If you’re a craft beer lover, pilsner and pint glasses capture effervescence and help retain the head of the beer.

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About West Elm PH
West Elm Philippines, with our exclusive collaborations, handcrafted collections, and one-of-a-kind finds, we're here to help you bring out your client's personal style. Natural materials and clean, modern lines give our assortment relaxed versatility. Since we believe in big ideas for small spaces (and big ones, too), our collections include multifunctional pieces that fold and stack, wheel and nest.

In the Philippines, West Elm is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc., and is located at Central Square in Bonifacio High Street Central, Estancia Mall at Capitol Commons. Visit Facebook.com/WestElmPH or follow @WestElmPH and @ssilifeph on Instagram for more information.