5 Essential Bar Tools Every Beginner Needs

1. Boston Shaker – The Foundation of Every Cocktail

A Boston shaker is the professional bartender’s favourite for a reason. Made up of two parts - a large 28oz tin and either a smaller 18oz tin or a mixing glass - it allows for quick, efficient mixing. Unlike a cobbler shaker, which comes with a built-in strainer and cap, the Boston shaker is more versatile, easier to clean, and less prone to jamming.

Our BarBits Boston Shakers come in several stylish finishes - from mirror-polished stainless steel to eye-catching copper-plated and sleek gunmetal black. Built from high-quality stainless steel, they’re durable enough for commercial settings and refined enough for home bars.

Whether you're shaking up a mojito, martini, or your own unique creation, this shaker helps you blend flavours, chill ingredients, and achieve the perfect texture.

2. Jigger – Precision Pouring Made Simple

Measuring your spirits correctly is one of the most important parts of cocktail making, and that’s where a jigger comes in. This double-ended tool allows you to accurately measure out standard shot sizes - typically 25ml and 50ml, or 30ml and 60ml depending on your region and style.

The Volaro™ Jigger, available exclusively at BarBits, is a customer favourite. Designed for ease of use, it features engraved internal measurements that won’t fade and a slim waist for better grip and control. Whether you’re perfecting your ratios or learning how to layer drinks, this tool ensures consistency in every pour.

Using a jigger not only improves your drink quality, but also helps manage costs by reducing overpouring - essential in both home and hospitality settings.

3. Bar Spoon – A Stirring Essential With Style

While it may look simple, a bar spoon is one of the most versatile tools you can own. Its long, spiral handle isn’t just for looks - it’s designed to give you full control as you stir, layer, or even muddle ingredients. Whether you’re gently mixing a Negroni, layering a pousse-café, or retrieving ingredients from tall jars, this tool does the job.

At BarBits.co.uk, we offer bar spoons in finishes to match your other tools, with solid construction and balanced design. Many come with flat ends or discs for light muddling and measuring small amounts, giving you more flexibility during preparation.

Stirred drinks often rely on clarity and subtle blending, and a quality bar spoon ensures you achieve that without bruising your spirits.

4. Hawthorne Strainer – Smooth, Clean Pours Every Time

After you’ve shaken or stirred your cocktail, the next step is pouring it cleanly into a glass. A Hawthorne strainer is the best tool for the job. Featuring a tightly wound spring, it filters out ice, fruit, herbs, and other unwanted solids - giving your drink a crisp finish without residue.

The BarBits range of Hawthorne strainers is crafted from strong stainless steel, available in finishes to complement your shaker. Designed with finger rests for easy handling and precision control, these strainers fit snugly into your mixing tins for a secure pour every time.

Ideal for cocktails like the whiskey sour or cosmopolitan, a Hawthorne strainer ensures only the good stuff ends up in the glass - no ice shards or mint bits included.

5. Free-Flow Pourer – Control Your Pours Like a Pro

An unsung hero of the bar world, the free-flow pourer might look small, but it plays a big role in your cocktail-making setup. These spouts fit directly into your spirit bottles and control the flow of liquid, helping you pour consistent amounts without mess or guesswork.

Ideal for pairing with your jigger, free-flow pourers make service faster, more accurate, and more professional. They reduce spillage, improve speed, and allow you to keep your bottles sealed when not in use (especially if you choose covered pourers).

At BarBits, you’ll find a wide selection - from polished chrome to matte black, with and without dust caps. They're inexpensive, reusable, and can be swapped between bottles with ease.

Once you try them, you’ll wonder how you managed without them.