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Cocktails are a popular trend these days, meaning that every bar is equipped with different accessories and good quality ingredients used to create tasty and well-balanced drinks. Whether you are more of a “free pour” type or you’d rather precisely measure every centilitre of your drinks, our team at Vinum has selected the essential cocktail tools you’ll need to create mixology kit worthy of the greatest bartenders! Bar accessories that compose a mixology set The first thing you need to do when creating a mixology kit is to choose bar accessories that you are comfortable using. Remember that what makes a good cocktail is above all a bartender who can use their tools correctly. Let's review the essential bar tools to assemble your mixology kit. A good shaker: an essential cocktail tool The shaker, also called a cocktail shaker, is the signature tool for a successful cocktail. It is used to mix the ingredients while chilling them (a good amount of ice is essential for a well-chilled drink). What makes for a good set of cocktail shakers will depend on the person using it. There are 2 main types of shaker: the Boston shaker and the Cobbler shaker. Boston shaker The Boston shaker is made of two interlocking components, one made of metal and the other of glass. This is the most popular type of shaker, because of its large volume capacity and ease of handling. However, this shaker must be completed by a strainer. Cobbler shaker The Cobbler shaker is a classic three-piece shaker. It is the shaker most commonly seen in the James Bond films and is therefore associated with the history of martini in popular culture. It is easy to use, as it doesn't require an additional strainer and already has a filter built into one of its three parts. It will be very useful for those who want to make do with the minimum, as in most cases it has a measure in the smallest part of the shaker. Use a jigger for good measure Nothing beats the consistent pouring of the famous cocktail jigger to ensure a perfectly balanced cocktail. If you have a Boston shaker (which does not have a built-in measuring device), we recommend purchasing this essential cocktail tool to complete your mixology kit. A jigger will allow you to measure the exact volume of spirits you need for your cocktail. Shop Our Bar & Cocktail Accessories A cocktail jigger is very easy to use: the smaller cup holds one measure, the other holds twice that amount. Available in gold, copper or steel, there's something for everyone, and if you don't have time to buy one, a kitchen scale or shot glass will do the trick. Mixing glass and bar spoon: the perfect combo Not every cocktail is made to be shaken. For example, adding sparkling water to your cocktail is best done with a gentle stir. You can "shake" the mixture without the sparkling water and then add it back in, or you can take the easy way out and use a mixing glass and bar spoon. Cocktail strainer for straining ice cubes and seeds The strainer is an essential cocktail tool for any self-respecting bartender. There are two different sizes: the Julep strainer and the Hawthorne strainer. The first is more practical when using a mixing glass while the second is easier to use with a shaker. In any case, this helpful tool will give an impeccable finish to your drinks. Other essential tools for a home cocktail kit For those who want to spare no expense, you can complete your mixology kit with these tools that will help you make your cocktails even better. Pick up a citrus press or a zester. They can be useful to easily collect the juice and zest of your fruits and vegetables. An ice tapper will be your best friend when you need to make 10 mojitos in the shortest time possible. Essential ingredients for a cocktail kit Without going into too much detail about the ingredients available for great cocktails – since we could go on for hours! – there are a few must-haves that should be mentioned. Cocktail syrups Cocktail syrups are all the rage, with more and more local craft companies coming up with delicious artisanal syrups! Syrups will add flavor as well as sweet notes to the cocktail. Simple syrups and bar mixes are must-haves when it comes to cocktail creation. The first is a portion of sugar dissolved in water, with citrus juice (lime or lemon) added to create the second. Simple enough to make, these syrups are even better fresh. For tonic syrups or syrups with a more distinctive taste, visit our Montreal and Quebec City locations to discover the different flavors, ranging from bitter to sweet, sour, herbaceous and fresh. Bitters Bitters are ingredients that enhance the different flavours of your cocktails with just a few drops. You can almost think of them as liquid spices. In fact, you can also use them for cooking! With a wide variety of flavours, ranging from hibiscus and mocha to citrus, cardamom, rustic spices and smoky aromas, it is a world to discover! Originally used as medical infusions, bitters have developed over time to take the world of cocktails by storm. Despite their often high alcohol percentage (around 50%), bitters are not considered as alcoholic beverages since they are usually only used in small quantities. They are therefore available over the counter in Quebec. Come visit us in one of our stores to taste our different bitters and find out which are your favourites! Build the perfect cocktail kit with Vinum Design Now that you know how to make your own cocktail kit, you can get creative and have fun with it! Experiment with different flavors and cocktail ingredients to find the perfect combinations. And don't forget the accessories - a stylish cocktail shaker or cocktail glass can really enhance your mixology experience. With a little practice, you'll be able to create delicious cocktails that will impress your friends. Cheers! Shop now

Martini cocktails are among the most iconic and elegant drinks you can enjoy. A favorite drink of a certain James Bond, it's thanks to their subtle, refined flavors that these recipes have become go-to choices for all cocktail lovers. In this article, we explore 5 classic martini cocktail recipes for a great night out. Dry Martini: the timeless martini cocktail Also known simply as a martini, this cocktail was invented in the early 20th century by an English bartender named Frank P. Newman. Embodying elegance and simplicity, a Dry Martini is extremely easy to make. Here's what you need to know. Ingredients 60 ml (2 oz) of Gin 15 ml (1/2 oz) of Dry Vermouth One green olive Cocktail accessories Shaker Martini glass How to make a Dry Martini Start by chilling a mixing glass with ice cubes. Pour the gin and dry vermouth into the mixing glass and stir gently for about 30 seconds. Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with an olive or lemon peel. It's ready! Dirty Martini: an elegant cocktail The Dirty Martini, with its distinctive salty touch, is much more than just a variation on the classic Martini. Its exact origin is shrouded in mystery, but it is widely accepted that this cocktail evolved from the traditional dry martini recipe. Thanks to its subtle blend of traditional flavors and modern accents, it has become a popular choice among cocktail lovers looking for a bold taste experience. Ingredients 60 ml (2 oz) de gin 15 ml (1/2 oz) of Dry Vermouth 7,5 ml (0.2 oz) of olive juice Cocktail accessories Cocktail shaker Cocktail strainer Martini glass How to make a Dirty Martini Chill your cocktail shaker, then add the gin, dry vermouth and olive juice. Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds. Strain the mixture through a cocktail strainer into a martini glass. Garnish with a stuffed olive or lemon peel. Vodka Martini: pure and simple At the heart of the Vodka Martini is the desire to create a smoother, gentler tasting experience. Unlike other variations, where gin is the protagonist, the Vodka Martini highlights the subtlety of this distilled spirit. Ingredients 60 ml (2 oz) Vodka 15 ml (1/2 oz) Dry Vermouth Cocktail accessories Cocktail shaker How to make a Vodka Martini Chill a mixing glass with ice cubes. Add the vodka and dry vermouth to the same glass and stir gently for about half a minute. Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a slice of lemon or olive. Enjoy! Apple Martini: a touch of freshness The history of the Apple Martini is rooted in ever-changing consumer preferences and culinary trends. At the time this cocktail was created, cocktails based on fruit and fresh ingredients were wildly popular. The apple, with a flavor profile balanced between sweetness and light acidity, quickly became a prime candidate for a new variation on the classic Martini. Ingredients 60 ml (2 oz) of Green Apple Vodka 15 ml (1/2 oz) of Green Apple Schnapps 15 ml (1/2 oz) of Dry Vermouth If you don't have apple vodka, you can use a classic vodka and add 1 oz of apple juice. Cocktail accessories Cocktail shaker How to make an Apple Martini Chill a mixing glass with ice cubes and pour the green apple vodka, schnapps and dry vermouth into the mixing glass. Strain the mixture into a martini glass and garnish with a thin slice of green apple. If you want, you can also replace the schnapps with 1/4 cup of still cider for a touch of fizz. Espresso Martini: an energizing cocktail Ingredients 45 ml (1 1/2 oz) Vodka 30 ml (1 oz) chilled Espresso 15 ml (1/2 oz) coffee liqueur Cocktail accessories Mixing glass Coffee machine Cocktail shaker How to make an Espresso Martini Chill a cocktail shaker and mixing glass. Pour the vodka, cooled espresso and coffee liqueur into the shaker and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds. Strain the mixture into a martini glass and garnish with floating coffee beans or a pinch of cocoa powder. Ready to make your best martini cocktails? There you have it: a selection of the 5 best martini cocktail recipes by Vinum Design. Now you know how simple Martini Cocktails are to make, with only a few cocktail accessories. We hope you enjoy these recipes, which should always be consumed in moderation! If you're having a party with friends and would rather impress them with alcohol-free cocktail recipes, check out our article on mocktails. Happy tasting!