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The measure of a well-stocked bar is more than the count of bourbons, gins, Scotches, and vodkas—a proper well-stocked bar includes the essential tools to make a great cocktail, and trust that how you stock your bar says an awful lot about you. While experienced bartenders have turned cocktails into craft, never doubt that with the right ingredients, proper tools and the right attitude you, too, can create your own magic. Start with these essential tools and you’ll be well on your way to concocting the drinks of your dreams.

Shaker

Shake it up with a Boston shaker! And not just because it is the choice of the professional bartenders, but because it’s quite literally impossible to make a proper cocktail without this two-piece ingenuity that seamlessly mixes spirits while rendering a perfectly chilled cocktail.

Spoon

Stir is up—Putting aside an obvious question, ‘’to shake or to stir”; you might be surprised to know that there is actually a “proper” technique for the seemingly simple task of stirring a cocktail. Gentler than shaking, stirring with a properly used stirrer combines the ingredients with an agitation that helps create a uniform flavor for the cocktail and essential for drinks that require a little more finesse to coax the flavors out.

Strainer

And then there’s the strainer, who’s essential contribution is to keep ice and other little bits in the shaker while you pour into the serving glass. When it comes to what kind of strainers, you don’t need to get complicated; simpler is better.

Muddler

Batter up! Yes, it looks like mini baseball bat, but it’s the best way to crush ingredients like fresh fruit and herbs at the bottom of a glass to release their essential oils and rich flavors. There are many styles; just start with your hand size and find the best fit.

Peeler

Zest with the best—A key piece in lots of cocktails is citrus and it’s certainly the most prominent ingredient after spirits and ice. The deeper you get into making great drinks at home, the more you’ll regularly be grabbing lots of fresh limes and lemons.

Jigger

To measure ingredients, bartenders use a tool called a jigger. These are standardized measuring cups, and supermarket options often feature 1-oz (a “pony”) and 1-and-1/2-oz (a “jigger”) portions. Instead, we suggest a different route: a 1 and 2 oz, and 3/4 and 1/2 oz. This way, you can just look at them and remember the bigger one has whole measurements, and the smaller has the fractions. If you need a quarter ounce, you can eyeball it by filling the 1/2 oz one halfway, or busting out your bar spoon and filling it twice. (One teaspoon = .16 oz)




Events


Sazerac Company Archivist Nick Laracuente
Tastings

Sip & Soak It Up: Sazerac Through the Ages

Wednesday, December 6, 2023
6:00 pm - 7:15 pm

Taste your way through Sazerac’s storied history with archivist Nick Laracuente. Your journey begins with a sample of Sazerac de Forge Cognac made in Segonzac, France, where the Sazerac family were distilling Eau de Vie in the 1600s. The Sazerac family grew into international distributors as their products are shipped to New Orleans. A pour of Sazerac Rye follows to highlight the industry transition as France’s grape stocks were plagued by phylloxera giving rise to a popularity in rye whiskies. Next, sample a bourbon from Sazerac’s Buffalo Trace Distillery, the oldest continuously operating distillery in America. During Prohibition the distillery was even permitted to remain operational, to make whiskey for "medicinal purposes.” When Prohibition ends in 1933, only four distilleries in Kentucky are capable of producing whiskey – Buffalo Trace, then known as George T. Stagg Distillery, is one of the last standing. Lastly, enjoy an exclusive pour to toast what is on the horizon as Sazerac continues to Honor Tradition and Embrace Change through constant experimentation and innovation as it develops spirits fit for any occasion. Your ticket price ($45) will include tasting of four Sazerac products, light refreshments, new information and artifacts not shared with the public before, as well as the opportunity to ask questions about any of our historic brands directly to the caretaker of Sazerac’s history! Seating is limited. This is a 21+ event.

Sazerac Company Archivist Nick Laracuente
Tastings

Sip & Soak It Up: Sazerac Through the Ages

Thursday, December 7, 2023
6:00 pm - 7:15 pm

Taste your way through Sazerac’s storied history with archivist Nick Laracuente. Your journey begins with a sample of Sazerac de Forge Cognac made in Segonzac, France, where the Sazerac family were distilling Eau de Vie in the 1600s. The Sazerac family grew into international distributors as their products are shipped to New Orleans. A pour of Sazerac Rye follows to highlight the industry transition as France’s grape stocks were plagued by phylloxera giving rise to a popularity in rye whiskies. Next, sample a bourbon from Sazerac’s Buffalo Trace Distillery, the oldest continuously operating distillery in America. During Prohibition the distillery was even permitted to remain operational, to make whiskey for "medicinal purposes.” When Prohibition ends in 1933, only four distilleries in Kentucky are capable of producing whiskey – Buffalo Trace, then known as George T. Stagg Distillery, is one of the last standing. Lastly, enjoy an exclusive pour to toast what is on the horizon as Sazerac continues to Honor Tradition and Embrace Change through constant experimentation and innovation as it develops spirits fit for any occasion. Your ticket price ($45) will include tasting of four Sazerac products, light refreshments, new information and artifacts not shared with the public before, as well as the opportunity to ask questions about any of our historic brands directly to the caretaker of Sazerac’s history! Seating is limited. This is a 21+ event.

Sip & Shop At Sazerac House
Signature Events

Sip & Shop

Thursday, December 14, 2023
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Holiday Sip & Shop Thursday, December 14th, 2023 5:00pm – 8:00pm Join us for a Holiday Sip & Shop to prepare for the gift-giving season in style! This event promises to bring the spirit to light with beautifully packaged spirited gift sets, cocktail accoutrements, clothing, barware and even fun gifts for our four-legged friends! DJ87 will keep the season bright with holiday favorites spinning all night. Enjoy a complimentary spiked Apple Cider while you shop. If that didn’t get you feeling merry and bright, Santa will be on site from 5:30pm – 6:30pm for a holiday photo keepsake from LazyEye Photography! Opt-in to a mini cocktail class offered every half hour where you can experience a classic holiday cocktail and leave with the recipe to recreate at your own celebration! Just $12.25! (See what we did there??) When you register to join us for this complimentary event, you will have the opportunity to pre-purchase homerun gifts!



Here’s to the bartenders that always keep your glass half full.