RAISE YOUR GLASS — 7 MUST-HAVE BARWARE TOOLS

By Adam & Kathryn York

That’s a phrase we hear often at the start of a new year, and it can apply to everything from attitudes to careers to health patterns to relationships and so much more. So, as you raise your glass to new beginnings and fresh starts, here are some must-have barware tools that will help you “toast with the most.”

Perhaps the most important element of a barware collection is glassware. Whether you’re into whiskey or wine, each type of glass is specifically designed to bring out certain aromas, colors, flavors, and temperatures for your beverages of choice. All in all, glassware can have a surprising impact on the taste of a beverage, so make sure to choose the right type of glass that is designed for your favorite drink.

Not only are decanters beautiful and stylish conversation pieces for your bar cart or cabinet, but they can also contribute greatly to enhancing the aroma and flavors of a variety of spirits, including brandy, cognac, scotch, tequila, vodka, whiskey, and wine. A cocktail shaker can also add style to your barware display, while it acts as a closed vessel for thoroughly mixing a drink’s ingredients and simultaneously chilling the drink.

Barware utensils are available in a variety of options and styles, with each serving specific, practical purposes. Whether you need bottle openers, cocktail spoons, ice tongs, jiggers, muddlers, strainers, and more—you can choose your utensils à la carte style to cater to your drinks of choice, or you can find a wide selection of barware utensil sets that are organized and beautifully styled on stands or bases.

Two more practical barware items to have on hand are ice buckets and wine bottle coolers. For spirits that need to stay chilled, an ice bucket or wine bottle cooler can be a very convenient way to keep beverages at the perfect temperature while entertaining guests without making multiple trips to your kitchen freezer.

Whiskey stones and ice molds make ideal gifts and now come in a variety of designs, materials, and styles. Consider classic marble whiskey stones or even stainless steel ones to keep your drink cold without diluting its flavor. Ice molds are now available in almost any size or shape you can imagine, and larger pieces of ice will generally melt slower than multiple smaller pieces, which can also help keep your drink from being diluted while you sip.

Every person has unique flavor preferences, so cocktail mixers can save the day when you don’t have the capacity or time to find and prepare bitters, fresh fruits, or herbs. The options out there for cocktail mixers are endless, so have fun experimenting with unique flavor combinations or play it safe with a classic cocktail mixer of your choice.

In the same way that cookbooks in a kitchen or coffee table books in your living room offer practicality and style, cocktail books can make your bar cart or cabinet look beautiful, while also being a quick source of inspiration for whipping up new drinks or finding recipes for all the classics. There are books themed specifically for just about every drink of choice, as well as compilation books filled with a wide range of drink ideas and recipes.

If you’re making changes or resolutions within your home this year, maybe it’s time to shake things up with your barware too. Cheers to the adventure!

ADAM & KATHRYN YORK are the owners and curators of Smith & York Company, a modern home boutique located on the square in downtown Columbia, Tennessee, and Lime & Loaf, a kitchen shop located at New South Marketplace in downtown Columbia. Open seven days a week at both shops, Smith & York Co. offers a diverse selection of home goods, including tabletop accessories, barware, lighting, textiles, planters, and gift items, while Lime & Loaf offers a wide selection of kitchen essentials for cooking and baking. Learn more at smithandyork.co and limeandloaf.com