Sure, going to to grab a drink with your friends is fun and easy, but you know what's even better? Doing it at home — real pants optional. Building your personal stockpile of booze, mixers, and accoutrements means you're halfway there, but it's these gifts for cocktail lovers that will really put you on top. Assembling your bar cart might seem like a daunting task, but once you get familiar with the cranks, do-dads, and thingamabobs ("I've got 20"), your at-home cocktail game will be totally on-point. And the investment is absolutely worth it. If you think about how much money you spend out at bars, you'll realize that these tricks of the trade quickly pay for themselves.
The best part about learning to be your own bartender is that once you get comfortable with your assets, the options are endless. When you know what flavors you like and how your tools can work for you, you can play around and concoct to your heart's desire. And the gadgets available these days make it way easier than you'd think. These 15 bar tools are great, whether you're just beginning to play around with your at-home bar situation, spicing up your standard routine, or searching for the perfect hostess gift. But be warned... your living room is about to get super-popular.
1. Self-Chilling Wine Glasses
Self-Chilling Stemless Wine Glasses, $49, Amazon
Whoever thought of these things really deserves some sort of prize.
2. Whiskey Stones
Whiskey Stones, $9, Amazon
We know you take your whiskey seriously. These little guys will keep your whiskey cold without watering it down. Not into the darker stuff? We're sure these will work just as well with your favorite vodka, gin, or tequila.
3. A Muddler
Chunshop Outset Cocktail Muddler, $4, Amazon
Say it with me: "mo-hee-toe."
4. A Zester With A Channel Knife
OXO Good Grips Lemon Zester With Channel Knife, $8, Amazon
You know those little lemon zest twirlies you've gotten in fancy cocktails? You can do that all by yourself.
5. A Cocktail Shaker
Premium Cocktail Shaker Set With Jigger, $20, Amazon
This may seem obvious, but a good shaker is a necessity.
6. A Wine Vacuum
Fast O Vacuum Wine Preserver, $9, Amazon
The most useful thing you'll ever buy. Vacuum all the air out of your half-consumed bottle of wine, and it'll keep beautifully for days.
7. A Wine Foil Cutter
Edgy Wine Foil Cutter, $9, Amazon
Yeah, the sharp tip of a corkscrew will slice off your wine foil, but this is way cleaner — with virtually zero risk of injury.
8. The Perfect Mini Board
J.A. Henckels 3-Piece Bar Board Set, $12, Walmart
Good knives are crucial and will keep the edges of your cocktail garnishes super crisp. And how cute is this baby cutting board?
9. A Wine Chiller Stick And Spout
Wine Chiller Stick & Pourer, $10, Amazon
Impress your guests AND keep your wine at the perfect temp.
10. High-Tech Unbreakable Glasses
Silicone Wine Glasses, $13, Amazon
So, so smart. Plus, you can toss them across the room (empty) when you get mad!
11. The Ultimate Bar Book
The Ultimate Bar Book: The Comprehensive Guide To Over 1,000 Cocktails, $14, Amazon
This book may be little, but it's packed with all the info you'll ever need.
12. A Sphere-Ice Tray
QBez Ice Ball Maker Mold, $7, Amazon
How cool are these? Like a tiny, icy planet for your drink.
13. An Olive Stuffer
"Olive Express" Olive Stuffer, $11, Amazon
I did not know these existed, but now I'm so excited. Just think of how many different types of cheese you can stuff in your olives!
14. Glass Rimmer
Co-Rect 3-Tier Margarita Glass Rimmer, $9, Amazon
Your at-home margaritas just got so much more legit. You can even try using colored sugar or adding spices to your salt for all kinds of cool cocktails.
15. A Fancy Layering Tool
Vacu Vin Cocktail Layering Tool, $13, Amazon
Rainbows? Red, white, and blue? Christmas colors? Halloween colors? Endless opportunity.
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