5 gadgets every mixologist should own

Besides a sampler pack of Mark and Andy's cocktail bitters and good quality spirits, every aspiring mixologist needs a few essential gadgets to make a good cocktail. Even if you're not fortunate enough to have a dedicated bar space or even a bar cart, a few select high-quality tools can help elevate the cocktail experience. Here are our top 5 recommended essentials:

1. A Good Quality Cocktail Shaker: A cocktail shaker is an essential tool for making mixed drinks. It allows you to combine and chill ingredients quickly and easily. There are two types of cocktail shakers - a Boston shaker which consists of a metal tin and a mixing glass, and a cobbler shaker which has a built-in strainer.

2. A Japanese Jigger: A jigger is a measuring tool used to ensure that you're using the correct amount of alcohol in your drinks. A Japanese Jigger has two sides - one for measuring a single shot (1.5 ounces) and the other for measuring a half-shot (0.75 ounces).

3. Muddler: A muddler is used to crush ingredients like herbs, fruits or sugar cubes in the bottom of a glass to release their flavors. It's essential for making drinks like Mojitos.

4. Bar Spoon: A bar spoon is a long, thin spoon used for stirring cocktails. It's essential for drinks that require stirring instead of shaking, like Martinis or Manhattans.

5. Strainer: A strainer is used to remove any ice or unwanted bits from a cocktail before it's served. There are several types of strainers, but the most common one is a Hawthorne strainer which fits over the top of a shaker or mixing glass.

With these simple but essential tools, you'll be on your way to craft cocktails in no time.