"Cocktail mixing should be handeld as a special ocassion, therefore we must prepare our home bar properly. Quality cocktails require quality ingredients."
Drinks
To make cocktails you have to prepare your home bar first. You probably have some drinks at home - the economical and simple solution is to find cocktails based on these. This site helps you do so with the barstock search tool.Most cocktails contain 1-2 straight drinks, a liqueur or bitter and some juice. It's worth buying some preferred straight drinks, one type of bitter and grenadine to setup a very basic home bar. Suprisingly much cocktails can be made based on these.
Glasses
Beside the recipies the preferred glass type is given as well. It is not likely that you are equipped with all types from the Highball to the Hurricane. The given glasses are just guidelines, use the most similar glass around.However cocktails are best served in nice glasses so if not a starter you should buy some nicer glasses. Check the most useful cocktail glasses page on hints which ones to start with.
Ice
The most important ingredient of all cocktails (except shooters perhaps). It can never be said enough times: never spare with ice and always have more than enough around.Garnishes
Garnishes can make you become the perfect shaker in the eye of your guests. Some well chosen and decorative fruits will definetly increase the joy of drinking your cocktails. Check out our article on garnishes for some inspiration.Measurements
One part means roughly 25-30mls. When making more portions multiply accordingly.One dash means about 4-6 drops of liquid - about 1-1.5 teaspoons.
Should you use a marked measuring glass or a shooter glass never forget to do it consequently.