Home to Stock a Home Bar Like a Pro (For Cheap): Part 2 
Ok, wipe the sleep out of your eyes. It’s back to work on creating our very own home bar*. In our first segment on How to Stock a Home Bar Like a Pro (For Cheap), we stocked up on glassware. We found that glasses for a basic home bar come in at less than $50 if you do it the IKEA way, and of course you can supplement that with many specialty glasses to make the drink go down more smoothly. And who doesn’t like smooth?
Oh, while we’re at it, you may be wondering, what exactly is a wet bar and how is it different from a home bar or liquor cabinet? A wet bar is typically a bar with a sink and running water; sometimes a small fridge or wine refrigerator is included in a more elaborate setup. Home bars are typically simpler and less expensive to setup. You can keep your bar supplies on just a few shelves, in a bookcase or in/on a cabinet.
In our next episode, we’ll take a look at cool and unique cabinets that can serve as a homebar and how you can style your very own wetbar if you have the plumbing for it. But today we’re going to focus on some of the utensils, barware, textiles and other equipment needed to create your very own home bar. Just like last time, we’ll review the absolute basics, then some additional equipment that makes bartending easier, and then we’ll mention a few items that you can get to impress your friends or grandma.
Home Bar Utensils, Barware and Textiles
Basics
Corkscrew: Assuming we’re all grown-ups here, at some point you’re going to encounter a bottle with a corky thing in the neck. DON’T PANIC - It’s easy enough if you’ve got a good bottle opener. There are lots of opinions out there on the best wine bottle opener, (I even have my own
Total: $4.99
Bottle Opener: For bottles that don’t have the twist-off caps, you’re going to need some reinforcements. Bottle openers are simple levers that help you pry that top off with ease. If you’re constantly losing your bottle opener, there are very attractive wall-mounted
Total: $1.49
Paper Cocktail Napkins: Every drink deserves a napkin to absorb condensation and wipe up potential spills. IKEA paper napkins come in many assorted colors and prints. Buy a few packages and mix and match! IKEA FANTASTISK Cocktail Napkins are $1.49 for 50, and the larger DRIBBLA (no lie) napkins are $1.99/50. 3 packs of napkins @ $1.49 each.
Total: $4.47
Total Equipment Basics: $10.95
Optional
Cutting Board: For any kind of garnish that doesn’t come in a bottle, you will probably need a small cutting board. You can swipe one from the kitchen, but personally, I like to know that my fresh garnish isn’t harboring last night’s chicken juices, thanks. At IKEA, pick up a set of LEGITIM plastic cutting boards for only $2.99. The smaller board is perfect for the bar.
Paring Knife: Knives are one of those things that are very personal. You’ve got to FEEL a knife in your hand to know if it’s going to work for you. That said, there are some general rules to live by: 1. Avoid sets - pick the knives you want and you’ll use. In this case, a paring or utility knife will do. 2. Go for full tang; this means the metal of the blade runs through the entire length of the knife and handle area. If you have the money, I strongly encourage you to check out the MAC Pro Paring 5
Small Bowls: Whether you’re putting peanuts out for the guests, or keeping olives, onions or capers around for drink garnishes, you’ll want to have a place to corral the garni. They’ll pull double duty in the kitchen, so get 6-12 of various sizes. At IKEA, look for BLANDA bowls; a 4-pack of 2″ bowls is $2.99, as is the 5″ bowl. Another option is the 3″ tall SMARTA bowl.
Small Plates: Yes, more garnish. Think about it: sprigs of mint, slices of lemon, wedges of lime, celery sticks…there’s no end to all the little bits that you might have out if you’re serving mixed drinks. Look for plates about 3″-6″ - those intended for tapas or dips
Pitchers: For Sangria, Bloody Marys, Screwdrivers or other mixed drinks that are served en masse, pitchers are great to have around. If you can find a stacking variety or you have the space, pick up a couple so you can keep one full all the time. It’s also nice to offer iced water or tea for your guests, so I suggest having 3 on hand. At IKEA, look for the VANLIG pitcher (pictured right, below) - 3 @ 2.99.
Carafes: Carafes can perform the same functions as pitchers in a pinch, but are also great for displaying wine or whiskey for a short period of time. At IKEA, check out the mouth-blown PS BJUDA carafe - at a 44 oz. capacity, you can fill it up and not worry about it for a while. In clear or turquoise glass (pictured left, below) for $9.99. Or, if you want to decant wine or whiskey, look for the SODA carafe with a filter and funnel available in clear mouth-blown glass for $19.99. Holds 37 oz.
Juicer or Reamer: Mojitos and other citrus drinks are best made with fresh juice from limes and lemons, not bottled, canned or frozen juices. Sure you can squeeze a lemon into your hand or strainer and get the pips out, but you’ll get much more juice if you use the proper tools. Here’s a tip: To get the most juice out of your citrus, roll it firmly with the heel of your palm on the counter before cutting it open. At IKEA, look for the CHARM reamer for only 99 cents!
Grater: For grating spices for some of the fancier drinks - think coffee drinks with nutmeg or chocolate grated on top. At your house, this may happen infrequently enough to not warrant the purchase of a separate grater At IKEA, look for the handled CHARM grater for only $1.49
Zester: Zesters will give you some nice curls of citrus zest, or even a chocolate curl or two. You can also use the larger zesting holes on the sides to stripe a cucumber before you slice it for an extra special garnish. At IKEA, look for the STRILA zester for $1.99.
Stirring spoon: For those drinks stirred, not shaken. You’ll want a long handled spoon that reaches all the way to the bottom of your glasses. A typical bar stirring spoon has a twisted handle
Coasters: Keep those nasty rings off your furniture with coasters. Coasters come in all kinds of materials and styles, so you can pick out the ones that suit your decor perfectly. At IKEA, choose from the PANNA polypropylene coasters in vibrant colors for only $1.99, or pick up a set of GROGGY stainless coasters for $5.99.
Measuring Glass: You may want to be able to measure out liquids in greater proportions than an ounce or two at a time, in which case, having a graduated measuring container will be a good idea. Sometimes cocktail shakers (see below) come with a measuring glass in which case you can kill two birds with one stone. At IKEA, look for the stainless steel IDEALISK measuring cup for $6.99.
Cocktail Shaker: Any serious bartender knows that you just can’t stir every drink. Some must be shaken, and for that there’s nothing better than a real cocktail shaker. IKEA used to have one in the GROGGY line I’m sure, but it’s not available on the website at present. Check out the best-selling Metrokane flip top cocktail shaker with built-in strainer
Strainer: If you’ve got a drink that’s shaken with ice or flavorings of some sort, you may need to strain the liquid before serving. Thus, the strainer. Usually handled with a spring that fits over the side of the glass, the bar strainer is a dispensable tool, but one worth mentioning. Look for a stainless steel bar strainer with a comfortable handle
Jigger: A jigger is a measuring device, typically double sided, with a one ounce measure on one end and a two ounce measure on the other. Generally made of stainless steel, these are pretty standard bar equipment, but could be substituted by a shot glass or other measuring device if you don’t happen to have one. Check out this lovely elegant one from WMF Loft.
Bottle Pourers and Aerators: If you serve a lot of mixed drinks, or wine you might want to have some bottle pourers on hand to make the job easier. Pick up a 2-pack of Pedrini bottle pourers
Extra Credit
Glass charms or China marker: Help your friends keep a handle on their drinks by marking ownership. You can do this simply by writing on the glass with a china marker (white is preferable to prevent stained clothing) - it will wash off in the dishwasher, or you can scrub it gently by hand. If you want something simpler and perhaps more fun, check out the Fred Wine Line Reviews
Punch Bowl: Who drinks punch? Sangria, maybe. Here’s an aesthetically pleasing punch bowl set that you’d actually be sad about if it were stolen: Libbey Selene Punch Set
Ice Bucket & Ice tongs: Really. Keep your hands off my ice. Ideally, an ice bucket can serve as both a place to keep ice handy for making drinks, and a portable spot to chill a bottle of wine. Wink, wink. Look for a tall, slender and well-insulated bucket. Oxo makes a nice insulated stainless ice bucket with tongs attached
so you won’t lose them.
Muddler: Certain drinks, such as the classic Old-Fashioned, the Caipirinha and the Mojito call for ‘muddling’ - or mashing ingredients in the bottom of the glass - typically a gritty ingredient, like sugar or syrup and another ingredient such as lime, mint or bitters. If you don’t have the budget for specialty tool like this fancy-dancy muddler
Cloth Napkins: Tie one around the neck of a carafe or bottle of Chardonnay to absorb condensation and collect dribbles, or go high class and hand one out with drinks. At IKEA, look for IRIS cloth napkins which are an affordable $3.49 for a 4-pack.
Ok, so that’s a lot of stuff, but keep in mind that it’s not all strictly necessary. You can get by with an all-purpose opener like the GROGGY corkscrew and some paper napkins for less than $10.
Basic Bar Essentials
Glassware: $49.86
Equipment: $10.95
Basic Bar Total: $60.81
So far, with glassware and basic equipment our total is well under $75. Next time, we’ll take a look at home bar cabinets. We’d love to see yours!
Read How to Stock a Home Bar Like a Pro (For Cheap): Part 3 on bar cabinets, lighting and hacks!
NOTE: *IKEAFANS does not condone drunken underage partying. This article is directed at those ‘back to college’ after a hiatus … long after their 21st birthdays. Everyone knows college kids drink out of beerbongs and funny beer hats anyway. Please, if you’re going to drink, drink responsibly.
Tags: "How to Stock a Bar", back to college, back to school, barware, home bar, home bar cabinets, home bar glassware, IKEA barware, IKEA gadgets, IKEA glassware, wet bar
Thanks, I am thirsty now.