📰The Wolfsden Dispatch- Issue #2

🧰🍹The Starter Bar Kit: 10 Tools Every Home Bartender Needs

Author

Treewolf West
June 23, 2025

🐺 Welcome back to The Wolfsden Dispatch,
where cocktails meet creativity—and where we believe every home bar can be legendary, no matter the size.

This week, we’re giving new subscribers (and longtime cocktail dreamers) a proper welcome gift: a no-fluff Starter Bar Kit Guide with the 10 essential tools every home bartender should own. Whether you’re building from scratch or refining your setup, this is the foundation.

We’ve linked every item to a trusted Amazon product so you can get started right from the bar—or the couch. As always, if you use the links, we may earn a small commission, and every bit helps keep The Den running.

🧰 The Starter Bar Kit – 10 Must-Haves

Feel free to shop around and find the items that fit your needs best!

  1. 🍸 Cocktail Shaker
    A two-piece Boston shaker or a three-piece Cobbler—start with what feels right.
    https://amzn.to/3IarcL5

  2. 📏 Jigger (Measuring Tool)
    Precision matters more than people think. Start with a Japanese-style jigger or this OXO brand jigger. I use both.
    https://amzn.to/44bT09l

  3. 🥄 Bar Spoon
    Not just for stirring—layering, lifting, and looking like you know what you’re doing.
    https://amzn.to/44eZ5BU

  4. 🌀 Hawthorne Strainer
    Essential for clean pours from a shaker.
    https://amzn.to/40lApXd

  5. 🕸 Fine Mesh Strainer
    Keeps pulp and ice chips out of delicate cocktails.
    https://amzn.to/45AIbAb

  6. 🍋 Citrus Press (Counter-top)
    The easiest upgrade to your cocktails. Fresh juice > bottled. Every time.
    https://amzn.to/3I8BJq8

  7. 🔪 Cutting Board & Sharp Knife
    You don’t need a bar-specific set—just make it sharp, clean, and reserved for garnishes.
    https://amzn.to/4ngnKyD

  8. 🥃 Mixing Glass
    For stirred cocktails like the Manhattan or Martini. Bonus points for heavy glass.
    https://amzn.to/43Xb9sP

  9. 🍊 Peeler (for Garnishes)
    Orange and lemon twists done right—elevate the visual.
    https://amzn.to/4kOsp9v

  10. 🧊 Ice Mold (or Tray)
    Crystal-clear ice is easier than you think. Start with large cubes or spheres.
    https://amzn.to/3Gfas4N

🔧 Bonus Tools

🍷 Wine Key (a.k.a. Waiter’s Friend)
A pocket-sized powerhouse. Opens beer, wine, and stubborn bottles cleanly. Don’t overlook it—it’s a must-have for any serious home bar.
https://amzn.to/4k9qIT1

🍃 Muddler
For Mojitos, Old Fashioneds, and fresh herb builds. A good muddler is the difference between a crushed leaf and real extraction.
https://amzn.to/43XKDj0

🐺 From the Den

We’ll be reviewing each of these tools in future episodes—alongside visual demos and photography tips for how to shoot them like a pro. For now, this list is your entry point into the world of cocktails and cameras.

🐺 This Week’s Shoutout: My Wife and Daughter

The first shoutout belongs to my wife and daughter—for their patience, their presence, and their quiet belief in what I’m building here.

Their support and willingness to share their time with this project have made all of this possible. The hours spent filming, writing, and building this vision don’t happen in a vacuum—and they’ve stood beside me through it all.

Behind every hour of work is family time they gave up. I don’t take that lightly.

This space is made with love. And it begins with them.

#WolfsdenWeeklyShoutout
📸 🍸 🐺

📍 Connect with The Wolfsden:

📸 🍸 🐺💛 Support the Den

If you enjoyed this issue, please share it with a friend.

If you believe in what we’re building—clear methods, beautiful cocktails, and a creative space for real people—you can help keep the bar stocked and the cameras rolling.

Support gifts of any kind are appreciated:

🍸 A bar tool or memento
📬 A personal note
 💵 A contribution toward gear, ingredients, or editing time

Every bit helps us pour into this craft and share it with the world.

📫 Mail something to:
The Wolfsden Home Bar
PO Box 101
Eastport, NY 11941

📲 Prefer to support digitally?

Scan the QR code below, or support the Pack!

or you can choose to help keep the cocktails flowing with our custom checkout!

Cheers for backing the Pack and keeping the cameras rolling!

🍹Cocktails. 📷 Cameras. 💛 Community.

Some of the links in this Dispatch are affiliate links. If you use them to make a purchase, we may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting The Wolfsden! 🐺

Thanks for stepping into the craft. —Treewolf West

Please enjoy… and if you drink, drink responsibly.