You can’t make any cocktail without the proper tools. A cocktail shaker, measuring cup, muddler, citrus juicer, bar spoon, potato peeler, ice bucket, cutting board, and knife are necessary to mix a decent drink. “I would recommend a Boston shaker over a cobbler shaker,” says Ehrmann. “Cobbler shakers tend to be cheaply made and difficult to open once you’ve shaken a drink it. Once you learn how to open a two-part Boston shaker, you’ll always get it open.” Tin on tin is the easiest to work with—if you use tin and a pint glass, you risk breaking the glass. All sorts of jiggers are out there, but one with multiple measures (such as .5 ounce, .75 ounces, 1 ounce, 1.5 ounces, and 2 ounces) is ideal. What about muddlers? Ehrmann says get “either a hardwood muddler that hasn’t been painted or lacquered because the paint and the lacquer will come off over time or a plastic muddler.” Avoid a muddler that’s too heavy—you don’t want it to ruin your glassware.
