Cocktails are fun, there’s absolutely no question about that.
Nothing beats the feeling of dressing up nice, going out and seeing a top bartender flipping the shaker, pouring 3 to 4 spirits at once, and seeing all the twists and garnishes on all those different glasses.
Soundtracked, of course, by the rhythmic beat of the ice going back and forth in the Boston Shaker.
Now what if you could bring that into your home? Bring that joy and excitement to the faces of your friends and family?
Well, with these home cocktail sets, you absolutely can!
Imagine shaking up an ice-cold espresso martini at the end of your steak night with your significant other, well after the sun has gone down. Or topping your mojito with a fresh sprig of mint to wash down the picnic at your summer garden party.
These cocktail sets don’t just make cocktails, they make memories and bring people closer together. So if you’re interested, let’s jump into the best mixology sets you can keep in your kitchen!
The Essentials You Need In A Cocktail Set
Before we get into which set is best, we best have a look at what you need and why you need it.
A simple cocktail set will contain a Boston shaker, strainer, measurer, and a bar spoon.
Whilst this is just about enough to get you going, I recommend a couple of speed pourers and a muddler, or you’re going to really limit yourself in what you can make.
Starting with the shaker and strainer, these are the obvious essentials you’ll need to make a cocktail. The bottom half of your shaker will also double as a mixing glass to build and stir cocktails such as your classic martini.
The measurer (or jigger) really does what it says on the tin: it measures.
These are essential for getting the delicate balance of ingredients just right and making sure no one part of your cocktail overpowers the other.
A bar spoon will give you the ability to drizzle extras like grenadine or Chambord down your drink for a beautiful layering effect, but also stir your non-shaken drinks into a beautiful consistency that a normal spoon wouldn’t quite achieve.
Finally, speed pourers will mean you can measure your drinks out just that much more accurately, and once you learn to free pour these will be essential to impressing your friends and dates, and a muddler will help get all those juices and flavors out of your fruit, such as the limes, mint and brown sugar in a top-class, Cuban mojito.
Now that all that’s cleared up: let’s have a look at the best sets for your home bar!
The Best Mixology Sets For Your At-Home Bar
1. Aberdeen Oak Complete Mixology Bartender Kit
At only $44.97, the Aberdeen Oak Complete Mixology Bartender Kit has absolutely everything you could ever need for your home bar.
It’s the hobbyist mixologist’s dream.
Two strainers, a muddler, speed pourers, and even a corkscrew and tongs are included in this 14-piece home set so you can open up any fancy wines or bottles of tonic, alongside whipping up any cocktail that takes your fancy. They’ve even included a little cocktail cheat sheet to get you started!
Starting with the pros: a lot of cocktail sets don’t include a proper Boston Shaker, just a shaker with a lid on top to make it easier for beginners.
Not this one! A proper, professional kit, the Aberdeen Oak Complete Mixology Bartender Kit has the full, two-part, metal shaker that you’d expect to see in any good bar to make your drinks perfectly chilled and diluted. And there’s more!
The standard double measurement jigger comes with engraved internal lines, so you’re not just able to measure a single or double shot, but all the little increments that so many recipes call for, taking the guesswork out of your drinks.
Finally, the bamboo stand keeps your set looking clean, compact, and tidy on your kitchen counter, rather than loosely scattered through multiple cupboards and drawers.
As the 5-star reviews would suggest, there aren’t many cons. It is a little bit on the dearer side, but then you are paying for quality.
The only drawback is that it’s only available in silver, whereas many competitors offer their set in matte black and sometimes even bronze colors, so you can tailor your set to your interior design tastes.
With reviews such as ‘Wise Investment’, ‘Classy and Great quality, and ‘Perfect’, it’s impossible to look past the Aberdeen Oak Complete Mixology Bartender Kit as the best cocktail set on the market.
It’s perfect for everyone from beginners to seasoned professionals and it’s bound to never disappoint.
2. Mixology and Craft 10 Piece Mixology Set
Next up we have the Mixology and Craft 10 Piece Mixology Set. This is the do all set for the beginner home bartender.
At $42.99, it’s not the cheapest on the market, but it is the high quality, durable option that makes it a long-term investment. This will last you years before you even need to think about replacing it.
The 10-piece set includes all of the essentials discussed earlier such as strainers, speed pourers, and a measuring jigger, along with ice tongs and a corkscrew for a bit of added versatility.
The options really are the strengths of the Mixology and Craft 10 Piece Mixology Set.
You can choose from a silver, copper, black, or gold finish and either a bamboo or mahogany stand, allowing you to customize your set to fit the aesthetic of your kitchen or home bar, whether you have a very traditional or modern looking vibe.
There aren’t many drawbacks to this one, but it is slightly on the dearer side for a basic, beginner’s 10-piece set.
However, the quality makes up for the price as nothing is made cheap and cheerful. In fact, the opposite. Every part weighs what you’d expect a solid metal set to weigh and it’s going to last the distance.
The only other thing we could find is that the shaker isn’t a traditional two-part Boston Shaker. It’s still going to make the drinks exactly as you want but you can’t do all those fancy flips and tricks to blow the socks off your mates.
And let’s face it, there’s something so so satisfying about connecting and disconnecting a proper Boston Shaker when you’re making drinks. It just feels authentic and traditional.
So who is this cocktail mixer set perfect for?
Well, we’ve got two types of people in mind really. Firstly, it’s the beginner. Not necessarily a novice bartender, but the person looking for their first at home mixology set and want something that will do the job well, simply, and for a long time.
Secondly, it’s absolutely the perfect gift. If you’re looking for a set for someone you know who’s keen on making drinks or wants to start out. You’ve landed on the right spot.
With an average of 4 ½ star reviews on Amazon, the Mixology and Craft 10 Piece Mixology is a great choice for a first set, whether it’s for you or someone else and it should never be overlooked when you’re pondering over which mixology set to purchase.
3. Modern Mixology Store 23 Piece Bar Set
So you want to go all-in? All the bells and whistles? You’re not a first-timer after a starter kit and you want everything you could ever need?
Enter the Modern Mixology Store 23 Piece Bar Set.
This one’s got all the gear you’ll ever want to use such as 3-speed pourers equipped with dust caps to keep your bottles fresh and let you impress the guests with those free pouring skills, stoppers for those spirits you’ve got open but aren’t using, a one-stop-shop cocktail menu book and an indented measuring jigger to get all those fine fractions of an ounce that are part and parcel of the perfect cocktail.
At $54.99, it’s going to come in dearer than the others but it’s also so rich with features, it isn’t any less value for money.
When it comes to the pros, the Modern Mixology Store 23 Piece Bar Set is overflowing with options, so let’s keep it simple and sweet and highlight just a few useful ones.
You’ve got high-grade stainless steel components in this set with the option of silver, copper, black, or gold coloring set in a beautifully finished bamboo stand.
Even if you’re a seasoned pro, the included cocktail menu book is going to give you new ideas and inspirations, maybe even some twists on some classic cocktails you’d never considered.
The versatility of this set means you can mix up some Old Fashioneds and Martinis for an evening dinner party, Pina Coladas and Mojitos on the summer afternoons, or even some more modern classics like a Cosmopolitan before a night on the town with your friends.
If you’re after the best mixology set, this really is all-inclusive.
The only real drawbacks with the Modern Mixology Store are the shaker and the price.
As with Mixology and Craft, it’s not a traditional Boston Shaker but if that doesn’t bother you (I’m just an old fashioned traditionalist) then it’s not even a downside.
It’ll still do the job of shaking up a perfect Espresso Martini to wake you up and mess you up the exact same as the old-school shakers, it just doesn’t quite look as chic.
As for the price, well what you pay is what you get.
It’s got more features than the other two sets and so it costs more. If it is a little out of budget then don’t worry, the other sets will do the job more than fine, they’ve got the essentials, just not the extras of this cocktail shaker set by Modern Mixology Store.
So who is this set for and what do the people think of it?
It definitely could be for beginners, but at the price point there are probably better options if you’re just getting into mixology, but if you’re set on it, this kit will still last you a long time and you’ll never find yourself wanting an upgrade.
If you’re serious about your home bartending, maybe you’re regularly throwing parties or inviting over dates for some sweet romantic drinks, this set is going to serve you like no other.
With a 5-star rating, it’s clearly a favorite on the market so if you want to level up your mixology today, get yourself one of these.
Now that we’ve covered the top pics, let’s take a look at some other options you might want to consider.
4. KITESSENSU Cocktail Shaker Set
A great set for beginners on a budget, at just $31.99, the KITESSENSU Cocktail Shaker Set is a real bargain. The 4 ½ star reviews show it’s not just cheap and cheerful, but a quality set that’ll go the distance. Available in silver, gold, or black, this cocktail set is definitely worth checking out if you’re starting your home mixology journey.
5. JONYJ Cocktail Shaker Set
This 14-piece mixing kit is a steal, only $19.99 on Amazon!
How long this reduced price offer sticks around for there’s no guarantee but this kit comes with all the essentials included, plus two metal straws for the environmentally conscious so you can sip away on your classic Mojito guilt-free.
Another 4 ½ stars, the stainless steel materials are of high quality and, while it may not be the best on the market, you’re really going to struggle to beat this one on price.
6. X-Cosrack 19 Piece Bartender Kit
The USP of this kit is definitely the rotating bamboo stand. Yes, at $49.99 it isn’t the cheapest, but it certainly looks the coolest on your kitchen counter.
All the essentials, stoppers, straws, and a bottle opener come included with this one (and did we mention the rotating stand?). With 4 ½ stars, it’s a dependable choice and definitely a great option if you have the budget.
7. Barillo Elite Mixology Kit
Continuing with the theme of different stands, the Barillo Elite Mixology Kit has a cool, slanted design that keeps everything in your set upright and stylishly packed on your countertop. This stainless steel kit includes all the essentials (apart from speed pourers), and at $26.99, it’s actually quite the bargain.
8. Eatex Bar Set
At $22.99, it’s not the best bar set in the world, but it will do the job and it’ll do the job well. Alongside all the essentials, this cocktail set includes a citrus squeezer so you can get that fresh, zesty goodness in your Aviation or French 75, a feature that most cocktail sets simply don’t have. Available in black, silver, or gold, the Eatex Bar set is another great choice for a first cocktail set.
9. Goodmorn Cocktail Shaker Set
$34.99. 4 ½ stars. Stainless steel 2-piece Boston Shaker. You can’t argue with that. The Goodmorn Cocktail Shaker Set is a great addition to your home bar. Along with all the essentials, it even comes with straws and a handy recipe book so you can get started right away!
10. VonShef Parisian Cocktail Shaker
As the name suggests, this set is chic and sexy. Available in a sleek, matte black color, this 9-piece set includes all your essentials, including both a Hawthorne and tea strainer so you can really sift out those fine bits of ice that sometimes float around your drink post shake.
At only $29.99, and with 4 ½ star reviews, this is a great choice for anyone from beginners to seasoned pros.
These Mixology Sets Can Turn Your Kitchen Into a Home Bar
Not all cocktail sets were created equal but here you’ve got 3 great choices for 3 different mixologists.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or complete novice (or more likely somewhere in the middle), or you’re buying a keen cocktail aficionado their first home set, there’s a choice for you regardless.
If you’re not sure where to start, then our ‘What is a Mixologist?’ article will cover all the basics and more. Just click here to get started on your drink-making journey today!
I started bartending in 2017, just 4 days after my 18th birthday, at a cocktail bar in my hometown. I immediately fell in love with the art and science of mixology and have since worked in bars across Yarm, York and Liverpool in England.