Anyone who enjoys partaking in delicious cocktail beverages knows there are certain items one must own to recreate the drinks. We're not just talking about a bottle of vodka or rum, every home bar needs a number of barware essentials. Sure you can concoct a cocktail shaker out of two glasses, but it's less than impressive and somewhat messy. Barware doesn't just include glasses, it also refers to the tools and accessories you will need to have your own mini bar at home.

Before we discuss glassware, you need the proper equipment to create that perfect drink. The most important piece of barware to own is of course, the cocktail shaker. Most are made out of stainless steel, feature a built-in strainer, and have a jigger cap that doubles as a measuring device. If the cocktail shaker doesn't come with a strainer, then you can purchase one separately. The strainer will separate the ice and other solid ingredients from the drink. A bar spoon is easier to use than a regular one because it has a longer handle. It makes it easier to stir and layer drinks. Any Mojito fan will need a muddler which is a thick wooden or metal stick used to crush ingredients.

Some little items to make life easier include a bottle pourer, a bottle opener, and a corkscrew. Corkscrews are cheap and easy to use, but there is a variety of fancy electric and battery operated wine openers. A small cutting board is perfect for slicing garnishes and you'll want a pairing knife to go along with it. A citrus zester, swizzle sticks, and lemon/lime squeezers are also good to have handy. You can get away without them, but if you're serious about your barware, then they are a worthy investment. If you're serving guests, use an ice bucket and tongs rather then leaving the ice cube tray out. It's also just good etiquette not to touch other people's ice.

Glassware is very important to any good bar. Serving a Mojito in a martini glass is just wrong on so many levels. You don't need to own every variety of glass out there, but you should at least start with red and white wine glasses, martini glasses, and flute glasses. Be aware that red wine glasses have a larger bowl to enhance the bouquet of the wine. Beer mugs, pint glasses, and pilsner glasses are preferred over drinking from the bottle. (Unless you're a beer advocate, don't worry about what beers go in which glass.) Mixed drinks made with soda or tonic typically go in highball or old-fashioned glasses. Shot glasses do double duty as measuring devices and drinkware. If you're looking to go all out with your barware, you can invest in some furniture. Wine racks and hanging stemware racks will save you a lot of space. Wine enthusiasts might want to invest in a wine chiller or a wine refrigerator. If your bar is stocked with all these barware essentials, you'll be well on your way to becoming a mixologist.