Whether it's an informal dinner party with friends or a special occasion, your guests will find a drink they can enjoy if you stock these bar essentials in your home.

1. Cocktail shaker
For martinis and cocktails. Cocktail ingredients are added in, along with some ice -- then you simply shake and serve.

2. Glasses
Martini, highball for mixed drinks, tumblers for straight spirits (ex. scotch on the rocks) and wine glasses. If you don’t own all of these types of glasses, skip the highballs and serve mixed drinks in tumblers as well.

3. Corkscrew
These come in three main types. The pump-style corkscrew contains a sleeve that guides a needle into the cork and a push plate to help remove the cork from the needle. The needle is inserted as the sleeve is pushed down, allowing the cork to slide out. The waiter-style all-in-one corkscrew contains a long, forged knife blade to cut the foil; a smooth, rounded boot lever, and a long needle that spirals into smoothly into the cork. The lever is raised to lift the cork out. The lever-style has a needle which, as it is inserted into the cork, the handles rise up. Pushing them down to the neck of the bottle raises the cork out.

4. Ice tongs
Sure you could use your hands, but it just wouldn’t have the same je ne sais quoi.

5. Stirrer
To mix drinks. Or buy some stir sticks and let guests mix their drinks themselves.

6. A good drink recipe book
For those unusual drink requests, or to choose a themed cocktail especially for your soiree. Or visit Chapters.ca for a stainless steel Manhattan Recipe Shaker with the recipes for 15 cocktails right on it.

7. Jigger
This ensures the equal measurement of spirits/liquers to be added into mixed drinks; ideal for when following cocktail recipes.

8. Strainer
Some cocktail shakers come with these built in. This item prevents bits of ice from falling into the drink you are serving.

9. Ice bucket
Or try a galvanized bucket with ribbon tied on the handle for a festive touch.

10. Blender
For blended drinks that involve crushed ice (ex. strawberry daiquiri, pina colada).

Tips

• Some of the items above come as a set. Visit Williamssonoma.com for a set of seven bar tools which includes: a strainer, a jigger, a bottle opener, a bar knife, ice tongs, stirrer and stand.
• Be sure to have an assortment of wine, spirits and liquers to give your guest a variety of drink options.
• Don’t forget a few types of juices for mixed cocktails and for the non-alcoholic drinks you will be making. A good non-alcoholic option: club soda and one of Torani’s Italian Syrups. These come in a wide variety of flavours, from raspberry to vanilla.
• A fun trend: Rim glasses with coloured sugar before pouring drinks into them.
• Have a variety of garnishes on hand, such as maraschino cherries, olives and lemon, orange and lime slices.
• Be sure to stock up on ice. There is nothing worse than running out and having your guests sip lukewarm beverages.
• If you don’t want the full burden of serving up all the drinks, set up a punch bowl on ice filled with vodka and pink lemonade or sangria (slices of fruit soaked in red wine and refrigerated overnight) and have guests serve themselves.
• Get some glass markers for those drinking out of wine or martini glasses; they’re a fun way for everyone to keep track of their drink. Kitchen Stuff Plus sells some inexpensive ones.