If you’ve been wondering what you need—and what you really don’t—when it comes to setting up your home bar, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve been measuring and shaking and stirring and straining drinks for years. I’ve wasted money on useless equipment and figured out what you really need to have for making quality …

After fielding questions from a number of friends about where to begin with making cocktails, I’m starting a series that will walk you through the basics. Today, I’m starting with the basic equipment you need to make most drinks. Maybe you haven’t had a cocktail since that bad experience with tequila poppers in college. Maybe …