Home bar starter checklist — what you need to make cocktails at home
Starting cocktails at home doesn't mean a shelf full of bottles or a separate tool for every drink. This list separates a small core kit that does the job from the extras you can add later, and with a room code you can split the shopping with friends or relatives looking for a gift idea. No sign-up needed.
In short
To start making cocktails at home you need a shaker, a jigger, a bar spoon, a strainer, a citrus juicer and an ice tray. Begin with white rum, vodka and gin, plus lemons, limes, mint, simple syrup, soda or tonic and a set of highball glasses. A muddler, coupe and rocks glasses, tequila and bitter liqueur can all be bought later.
19 items go straight into your new room; delete what you don't need, add what's missing. No account needed.
What's on the list
General
- Cocktail shakerBoston or three-piece
- Jigger (measuring cup)30/60 ml double-sided
- Bar spoonlong-handled, for stirring
- Strainerholds back ice and pulp
- Ice cube traylarger cubes melt slower
- Citrus juicerfor lemons and limes
- Highball glassfor Mojito and long drinks
- Muddlerbuy later · for mint
- Coupe glassbuy later
- Rocks glassbuy later
Drinks
- White rumfor Mojito
- Vodkafor vodka tonic
- Ginfor gin and tonic
- Soda water and tonicsmall bottles stay fizzier
- Tequilabuy later
- Bitter liqueurbuy later
Pantry staples
- Simple syrup1:1 sugar and water
Fruit & vegetables
- Lemons and limesfresh, plenty
- Fresh mint1 bunch
Tips
Measure every cocktail with a jigger; once the proportions drift, the taste drifts too, and consistency is what makes a home bar reliable.
Start with white rum, vodka and gin: simple drinks like a Mojito come from these bottles; tequila and bitter liqueur can wait.
Use plenty of cold ice; larger cubes melt more slowly and keep the drink from watering down.
Make simple syrup yourself from equal parts sugar and water and keep it in a lidded bottle in the fridge; squeeze lemon and lime juice just before serving.
How it works
1. Open your room
Tap the button and the items land in a fresh room. No account, no email, nothing to install.
2. Share the code
Send the room code or the link to the group; everyone's on the same list in seconds.
3. Finish it together
Who's buying what shows up instantly; bought items get ticked, so nobody buys the same thing twice.
Frequently asked questions
Which bottles should you buy first for a home bar?
White rum, vodka and gin are the most versatile trio and cover simple drinks like a Mojito, vodka tonic or gin and tonic. A Margarita needs tequila and orange liqueur and a Negroni needs bitter liqueur and vermouth, so those can wait.
Can you make cocktails without a jigger?
You can, but the proportions will change every time. A small measuring cup keeps a cocktail tasting the same; if you don't have one, a shot glass whose volume you know will do.
How do you make simple syrup at home?
Dissolve equal parts sugar in hot water and let it cool. It keeps for a few weeks in a lidded bottle in the fridge.
Can I change the list?
Of course. The ready-made list is just a starting point: delete, add, move items between categories.
Do I need an account?
No. A room code is all it takes — no email, password or signup.
How long is the list kept?
As long as you use it. A list is only deleted after a month without any activity; even opening the room resets the clock.
Can I install it on my phone?
Yes. With the room open, tap "Save Room" to add it to your home screen and open it with one tap.