About

Welcome to Cocktail Hammer, the ultimate online resource for all things mixology and cocktails! We aim to equip you with expert advice, a supportive community, and educational resources, all centered around a shared love for crafting exquisite drinks.

From the founder

Chris Harris co-founded Cocktail Hammer in 2019 inspired by his journey as a cocktail-mixing novice.

As a beginner myself, I had so many questions and a burning desire to document my journey. This curiosity ignited the creation of CocktailHammer.com. I wanted to build a database with the answers to all my questions about mixology and cocktails. Every day, new questions arise, and each day, I find the best answers and document them here. I hope you find my website useful in your home bartending journey.

Chris Harris

What we offer

At Cocktail Hammer, we serve as your reliable guide to home-based cocktail creation. Our platform provides a broad array of content and resources:

  1. Expert Tips & Guidance: Hone your mixology skills with advice on cocktail recipes, presentation techniques, equipment choice, and more.
  2.  Inspiring Stories: Learn from fellow mixologists and cocktail enthusiasts who’ve successfully turned their homes into professional-grade home bars.
  3.  Gear Reviews: Benefit from our comprehensive product reviews and recommendations, helping you select the best tools for your home bar.
  4.  Community: Engage with our vibrant online community of cocktail enthusiasts to share experiences, ask questions, and find inspiration for your next concoction.
  5.  Bar Tours: Virtually traverse our meticulously curated selection of home bars, complete with detailed guides and insider tips.

Whether you’re a seasoned mixologist or just starting out, Cocktail Hammer is here to help you achieve your mixology ambitions and maximize your creative potential. We are committed to offering the tools, knowledge, and motivation you need to create your dream home bar.

So, get your cocktail shaker ready, uncork your favorite spirit, and join us on this flavorful journey. We’re thrilled to welcome you to the Cocktail Hammer family!

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Cocktail Hammer is a mixology-centric website that provides an extensive array of resources for home bartenders, professional mixologists, and cocktail enthusiasts. Here are some responses to the most frequently asked queries to help enhance your cocktail crafting skills.

To start home bartending, you'll need a few key tools. A cocktail shaker is essential for mixing drinks, and a jigger will help you measure the ingredients accurately.

A bar spoon is useful for stirring and layering drinks, while a strainer ensures a smooth, sediment-free cocktail.

A muddler is important for crushing herbs or fruit, and a citrus peeler or zester is useful for adding garnishes. Finally, you may want a good-quality knife and chopping board for preparing ingredients.

There are a few key techniques that are critical for home bartending. Shaking is a common technique used to mix, chill and dilute drinks quickly. Stirring is used when you want to maintain the clarity of the drink while still mixing the ingredients. Muddling is used to extract flavors from fresh ingredients like herbs or fruit.

Layering is another technique that involves carefully adding different liquors or mixers so that they sit in separate layers. Finally, garnishing not only makes your cocktail visually appealing but can also enhance its flavor.

Proper storage and maintenance of your liquors and mixers can extend their shelf life and preserve their quality. Unopened bottles of spirits are stable and can be stored for many years. Once opened, they should ideally be consumed within 1-2 years.

Store spirits in a cool, dark place, upright, to prevent the alcohol from breaking down the cork. Liqueurs should be stored similarly, but keep in mind they have a shorter shelf life due to their sugar content. Vermouth and other wine-based aperitifs should be refrigerated after opening and consumed within 1-2 weeks.

Mixers, too, should be refrigerated after opening and used within the recommended timeframe on the label. Fresh ingredients like lemons, limes, and herbs should be bought regularly to ensure they are always fresh when used in your drinks.