Not everybody drinks, but those of us who do know how good it feels to sit back with a well-made cocktail after a long week of responsibilities.
But unless you have a lot of money to burn, going out all the time to get your drinks made by a bartender costs a pretty penny. Besides, sometimes you want to make those drinks yourself when you’re having guests over.
To do that, though, you’re going to need a solid bartending kit that has most of the items you need to make a passable Long Island Iced Tea. These great bartending kits include all of the basics you need to start mixing your own cocktails and since they’re under $50, they make for great gifts that won’t hurt your wallet or make you look cheap.
TOP CHOICES
Best Overall
FineDine 14-Piece Cocktail Shaker Set Bartender Kit
- Made of quality stainless steel.
- 14-piece set that has everything you need to start making drinks.
- Dishwasher safe so you don’t have to clean it manually.
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Best Gift
Aberdeen Oak Mixology Bartender Kit
- 14-piece set has all you need to start mixing your own drinks.
- Quality craftsmanship and materials.
- Luxurious feel makes it great as a gift.
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Best for Beginners
Mixology Cocktail Shaker Set Drink Mixer
- Beautifully illustrated cocktail card recipes.
- Specially designed wooden stand
- No frills bartending kit that’s perfect for beginners.
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1Soing Gold 24-Piece Cocktail Shaker Set
A good bartending kit should strike a balance between form and function. The Soing Gold 24-Piece Cocktail Shaker Set does just that.
This beautiful 24-piece bartending kit has everything you need to put together a tasty Sangria or a refreshing Mojito. It comes with ice tongs, a stirring spoon, a shaker, a jigger, a corkscrew, and a few other extras that will make you feel like a professional at-home bartender.
It has its own wooden stand with a natural finish for when you want to display it and a velvet bag that’ll come in handy should you decide to give it to your in-laws or co-workers.
PROS
- Made of quality stainless steel.
- Includes cleaning implements.
- Brand name engraved stand that makes the entire kit look phenomenal on display.
CONS
- Has only one jigger.
2Mixology Cocktail Shaker Set Drink Mixer
Best for Beginners
This bartending kit doesn’t have as many items in it as the previous set but it makes up for it with a nicer build quality and a set of illustrated recipe cards that will teach you how to make your favorite cocktails.
The Mixology Cocktail Shaker Set Drink Mixer comes with a sturdy wooden stand and a stylish black box that makes the set a presentable gift.
PROS
- Beautifully illustrated cocktail card recipes.
- Especially designed wooden stand.
- No frills bartending kit that's perfect for beginners.
CONS
- Doesn't include a corkscrew.
3PentaQ 10-Piece Bartender Kit with Wooden Stand
If wood tones aren’t your thing but you still want a fancy-looking bartending kit with a stand, the PentaQ 10-Piece Bartender Kit with Wooden Stand is the one you’re looking for.
While it’s still a wooden stand, the PentaQ bartending kit’s stand has a shiny black finish that contrasts nicely with the stainless steel bartending implements it holds.
PROS
- 10-piece bartending kit that covers the basics.
- Made of stainless steel.
- Comes with ice tongs, bottle opener, and a corkscrew.
CONS
- Limited tools for making more complex drinks.
4Aberdeen Oak Mixology Bartender Kit
Best Gift
Someone tell the packaging design department at Aberdeen Oak that they knocked it out of the park with this one because the Aberdeen Oak Mixology Bartender Kit has the most gift-worthy appearance out of all the kits in this set.
Its classically illustrated box exudes an Old World elegance that will make your gift’s receiver feel like a man of great distinction. Going with it is a comprehensive cocktail recipe booklet so whoever gets this will be able to whip up something that isn’t an Old Fashioned.
PROS
- 14-piece set has all you need to start mixing your own drinks.
- Quality craftsmanship and materials.
- Luxurious packaging makes it a great gift set.
CONS
- Stand is made of bamboo, not real oak.
510-Piece Bar Tool Set with Stylish Bamboo Stand
The 10-Piece Bar Tool Set with Stylish Bamboo Stand is more or less the same as any bartending kit on this list. But if you want one with a stand that has a more sculptural look, this is the kit you want to get.
The water-resistant bamboo stand will look great on any modern kitchen counter, bar, or hutch.
There are 10 different bartending tools made from stainless steel alloys that don’t rust and are dishwasher safe.
PROS
- Water-resistant bamboo stand.
- Made from stainless steel alloy.
- Dishwasher safe so you don't have to wash it by hand.
CONS
- No additional features that set it apart from other bartending kits.
619-Piece X-cosrack Cocktail Shaker Set
In case you haven’t noticed, all of the bartending kits on this list come with a stationary stand that takes up a lot of space. The X-cosrack Cocktail Shaker Set though? This bartending kit comes with a rotating bamboo stand that saves space and makes it easier to access your bartending tools no matter where you store them.
It’s made of a special type of food-grade stainless steel that doesn’t affect the flavor of your drinks without sacrificing durability the way plastic bartending kits do.
PROS
- Made of food grade 304 stainless steel.
- Contains 19-pieces of quality bartending tools.
- Rotating bamboo stand makes storing and accessing your bartending kit easier.
- Metal straws included.
CONS
- Doesn't come with a cocktail recipe booklet.
7FineDine 14-Piece Cocktail Shaker Set Bartender Kit
Best Overall
The FineDine 14-Piece Cocktail Shaker Set Bartender Kit is an affordable bartending kit that gives you the most tools for your money.
To make its price point possible, though, the kit cuts corners on its packaging and stand by removing both of them entirely. Clearly, it’s not the best choice if you want to give a bartending kit as a gift, but it’s great for personal use.
PROS
- Made of quality stainless steel.
- 14-piece set that has everything you need to start making drinks.
- Dishwasher safe so you don't have to clean it manually.
CONS
- Does not come with a stand, box, or velvet bag.
