The Staples Thread • Page 4

15 Healthy Staples You Should Always Have on Hand

Throwing together a quick, nutritious meal requires a well-stocked kitchen. However, many popular healthy foods are highly perishable and must be used within a few days, causing many home cooks to burn through their food stores quickly.

Still, you can keep a number of healthy, long-lasting staples your pantry, freezer, and fridge and use them to make nutrient-dense meals and snacks — even when you’re out of your typical go-to foods.

Here are 15 healthy staples that you should always have on hand.



non-perishable food choice to keep in your kitchen.

In fact, canned beans can be stored in the pantry at room temperature (68℉ or 20℃) for 2–5 years, while dried beans can last 10 or more years. Dried beans have such a long shelf life because they lack the moisture needed to promote microbial growth

In addition to being shelf stable, canned and dried beans and lentils are highly nutritious, offering an abundance of nutrients, including fiber, magnesium, B vitamins, and iron (4Trusted Source).

Try adding black beans, chickpeas, lentils, and kidney beans to chilies, soups, and salads.




Natural nut and seed butters are long lasting, healthy alternatives to their commercial counterparts, which typically contain added oils and sugar.

Nuts and seeds can be used in many dishes, including oatmeal, yogurt, trail mix, and salads. Nut and seed butters make excellent additions to smoothies and can be added to sauces or spread onto fruits or veggies for a quick, satisfying snack.

buy in bulk (6).

Plus, these grains are excellent sources of fiber and micronutrients, including B vitamins, manganese, and magnesium, and eating them may help protect against conditions like heart disease and certain cancers (7Trusted Source).




frozen fruits and veggies are comparable to fresh produce in micronutrient content, making them a healthy and convenient freezer staple (8Trusted Source).

Try adding frozen greens to sautés, soups, and smoothies. Frozen berries can be used similarly to fresh berries and add natural sweetness to oatmeal, smoothies, baked goods, and yogurt parfaits.


Honey and maple syrups are natural sweeteners that offer unique health benefits.

For example, raw honey has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties and contains powerful antioxidants. Maple syrup is also rich in antioxidants and contains small amounts of nutrients like magnesium, potassium, and manganese

Honey and maple syrups can be used to add flavor and depth to both sweet and savory recipes. Just remember to use these sweeteners sparingly, as too much sugar from any source can harm your overall health.

multiple uses in the kitchen. For example, it’s an effective all-purpose cleaner and can be used as a flavorful addition to recipes like sauces, dressings, and baked goods.

In addition to its versatility, this tangy vinegar is incredibly healthy. Research has shown that it may have antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and heart-health-promoting properties


coconut oil, ghee, and olive oil, can be safely kept at room temperature for a year or more, depending on the type. For this reason, you can buy these pantry staples in larger quantities so that you always have a healthy fat source on hand .

Cooking with these healthy fats helps add flavor to recipes and enhances the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants from food.



Fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, and pickles are delicious and versatile, and they offer a number of health benefits. Research has shown that they can improve digestive health and may help reduce inflammation and blood sugar levels

Plus, these foods are long lasting, so you can stock up without worrying about food waste. For example, sauerkraut and pickles can be stored at room temperature for up to 18 months.

You can enjoy these tangy foods straight out of the jar, or use them as flavorful toppings for salads and other dishes.


Spices and herbs elevate the flavor of dishes and can come in handy when you’re in a recipe rut.

What’s more, incorporating dried herbs and spices into your diet can promote your health in various ways.

Turmeric, cayenne pepper, rosemary, cinnamon, ginger, oregano, and cumin all offer impressive health benefits and may help reduce inflammation and lower your risk of certain diseases .


Garlic and onions are the backbone of many recipes and favored by both professional and home cooks for their versatility and long shelf life.

Both have also been shown to benefit your health in many ways, and enjoying them regularly may help reduce your risk of various illnesses, including certain cancers, mental decline, heart disease, and diabetes .


butternut squash, apples, beets, cabbage, spaghetti squash, rutabagas, pomegranate, carrots, and citrus fruits are just some examples of fruits and veggies that can keep for a few weeks or more when stored in the fridge or on the counter.


Having a good supply of frozen poultry, meat, and fish can help you prepare healthy, protein-rich meals when fresh animal protein sources are limited.


healthy condiments to stock your pantry and avoid purchasing highly processed sugar-laden products.

Tahini, salsa, coconut aminos, balsamic vinegar, coconut butter, mustard, nutritional yeast, tamari, raw honey, and sriracha are just some examples of multi-purpose condiments that are not only tasty but also healthy.


Although eggs are considered to be perishable, they can last up to 5 weeks in the fridge (24).

Try making a nutrient-dense veggie omelete or adding a fried egg to oatmeal, salads, or vegetable dishes to boost the protein content.

Purchase pasture-raised eggs if you can. Eggs from pastured hens are not only more nutritious than those of caged hens but also the hens laying them are typically treated much better. They have space to roam outdoors and the ability to partake in normal foraging behavior.


yogurt is highly nutritious and has been associated with a number of health benefits.

For instance, eating full fat yogurt may protect against heart disease and the development of belly fat, which is a risk factor for many conditions, including diabetes.

Most yogurt can be kept for up to 3 weeks in the fridge and even be enjoyed well past its expiration date, as long as it still looks, tastes, and smells fresh .


By purchasing a few of the foods listed above during your next few grocery outings, your kitchen will be fully stocked with healthy staples before you know it.

 

quinoa

 

The Best Wardrobe Staples to Invest In


The simple bare necessities.



CBS PHOTO ARCHIVEGETTY IMAGES
Wardrobe staples. What are those, really, in this day and age? With fashion being so diverse, and with trends heralded seasonally, the idea of stalwarts can seem meaningless in such a glamorous, on-the-go industry.

Indeed, the birth of a new fashion trend comes with a lot of pomp and circumstance. It makes headlines, appears on a breadth of photo spreads, is worn by celebrities and style influencers to exhaustion, and, in this digital age, gets the meme treatment. All these factors contribute to its proliferation. It hits the zeitgeist like the first strike of a match, burning brightly and furiously. But like the flame, it never lasts.

Trends are ephemeral. They leave with a whimper, replaced by the latest sartorial novelty and are completely forgotten about until Facebook sends one of those notifications from 10 years ago. Some embarrassing ones that come to mind: normcore, pussy-bow blouses, Von Dutch caps, and looking straight out of the cast from The Royal Tenenbaums. Fashion is an ever-changing beast, continuously shedding its coat. And still, there are some layers that endure.

These are wardrobe staples. The styles that have surpassed fashion’s fleeting time frame, they've become key factors in looking presentable in public. And they have achieved this status based on two distinct characteristics: versatility and functionality.

“The key to modern dressing is a wardrobe that is movable,” said Frances Patiky Stein to The New York Times in 1982. “You must be able to wear blouses, skirts, pants and jackets in a number of ways. With a few pieces, you can turn less into more. That is the essence of dressing for today.”

Stein—who was a magazine editor before becoming an artistic director at Chanel—had been deep in the trenches of the fashion industry, bearing witness to its constant shifts for decades. She, more than most, understood that it is the simplest pieces that stand the test of time.

What lasts are the bare necessities—the apparel and accessories that may not flash or cause a stir, but will keep you covered in the neatest way. They may appear elementary, but as any savvy shopper knows, true quality never can be. And that’s why they are classics.

1. The Jean

COURTESY
Made of a warped-faced textile that is dyed in indigo, jeans have become the most emblematic piece in American fashion. From cowboys and hippies to supermodels and Silicon Valley types, it crosses economic and style barriers, becoming the quintessential off-duty (and, at times, on-duty) uniform—a no-fuss piece of apparel that can be dressed up or down, depending on the situation at hand.

Though denim trousers are versatile and the easiest thing to put on, finding the right pair is considerably a lot harder. There are styles that are dark and high waisted, light and ultra skinny, boot cut and acid washed, etc. It really depends on your figure and proclivities. But once you find a pair that fit you just right (trial and error should be practiced), you’ll never want to take them off.

THE JEAN
The Look

AMO Chloe Cropthehelm.co
$268.00
SHOP NOW
This pair gets the blue ribbon.

THE JEAN
The Look for Less

Raey Rail High-Rise Straight-Leg Jeansmatchesfashion.com
$173.00
SHOP NOW
Blue-jean baby.

2. The Little Black Dress

ULLSTEIN BILDGETTY IMAGES
In the early part of the 20th century—when women’s fashion was characterized by corsetry, voluminous skirts, and pastel hues (think: Little Women)—two pioneering designers broke the mold, freeing the body of all stuffy elements. They were Coco Chanel and Jean Patou (though the former gets most of the credit), and they introduced the little black dress, or LBD.

In Chanel’s case, her design of the now-ubiquitous acronym was a long-sleeved, drop-waisted silk look that grazed the knee. It epitomized easy dressing, inspiring other designers in the following decades to follow suit. From the elegant sheath that Hubert de Givenchy designed for Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s to Gianni Versace’s ultra-sexy body-cons in the ’80s to Miuccia Prada’s geek-chic pieces a decade later, every sartorial maestro has put their own stamp on this indelible and remunerative staple.

THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS
The Look

Victoria Beckham V-Neck Midi Dressmytheresa.com
$1,129.00
SHOP NOW
V is for va-va-voom.

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS
The Look for Less

MICHAEL Michael Kors Midi V-Neck Knit Dresssaksfifthavenue.com
$175.00
SHOP NOW
You’ll be in good form with this dress—literally.

3. The Blazer

RON GALELLA, LTD.GETTY IMAGES
The phrase borrowed from the boys is so passé, but in the case of blazers, it is certainly apt. The term was coined by the rowing team at Cambridge University, who wore—read: blazing—red lightweight jackets on the river to keep warm. They would then wear them on campus, eventually crossing the Atlantic and taking over colleges in the United States.

Over time, the blazer was adopted by the armed forces, infiltrated the gentry and businessmen, and later the world of high fashion. Its rise up the sartorial ranks is due to the way it is sharply tailored, pronouncing the shoulders and tapering the waist, giving men a sense of distinction. Indeed, it was a style closely associated with masculinity.

Then in 1966, designer Yves Saint Laurent debuted his Le Smoking tuxedo suit on the catwalk, supposedly introducing blazers to the womenswear industry. Now, it is the most appropriate thing to sport in an office environment, or any situation during which you want to exude a debonair quality. So, yes, it may have been borrowed from the boys, but it is perfectly suited for the gals.

THE BLAZER
The Look

Saint Laurent Dramatic Shoulders Blazerfarfetch.com
$2,490.00
SHOP NOW
Stand shoulder to shoulder with Julia Roberts in this blazer.

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
THE BLAZER
The Look for Less

Theory Blazerfarfetch.com
$260.00
SHOP NOW
Set the room ablaze with this Theory jacket.

4. The Pump

HULTON DEUTSCHGETTY IMAGES
The pump is typically a fancy shoe, and its origins fit that description. In the 1800s, the elegant piece of footwear, which was made of leather and featured a low-cut vamp, was worn by men to the operas, balls, and other glittering affairs. It was not until 1954, when shoe designer Roger Vivier, by many accounts, revived the stiletto that the term started to become associated with heeled shoes made for women.

Throughout the years, shoe designers—particularly Charles Jourdan, Manolo Blahnik, Christian Louboutin, and Stuart Weitzman—developed the design elements further. They extended the arch, thinned the heel, curved the counter, and added fun colors and prints. But it is the modest black pump that endures.

THE PUMP
The Look

Manolo Blahnik 'BB' Pointy Toe Pumpnordstrom.com
$575.00
SHOP NOW
Manolo Blahnik always pumps up the volume.

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
THE PUMP
The Look for Less

Schutz Lou Pointy Toe Pumpnordstrom.com
$155.00
SHOP NOW
We love a shoe that gets right to the point.

5. The Dress Shirt

MIRRORPIXGETTY IMAGES
From Katharine Hepburn and Carolina Herrera to Tina Turner and Sade, many doyennes of fashion have rocked the crisp white button-down with éclat. Some sport it with wool trousers and loafers, while others wear it with circle skirts and kitten heels. But no matter how it is styled and accessorized, the top always imbues formality—even when tied at the midriff on a concert stage. To wit: It is called a dress shirt for a reason.

The garment features a collar, cuffs on the sleeves, and button closures down the front; and is usually made of silk, cotton, or a combination of both. These are the key attributes that denote the style. The right way to wear it, however, is completely up to your discretion.

THE DRESS SHIRT
The Look

Stella McCartney "We Are the Weather'' Shirtstellamccartney.com
$775.00
SHOP NOW
Climate change is real, and this shirt says that loud and clear.

THE DRESS SHIRT
The Look for Less

Banana Republic Petite Riley Tailored-Fit Shirtbananarepublic.gap.com
$69.50
SHOP NOW
We’d take a bite out of these pearly whites.6. The Wrap Dress

SANTI VISALLIGETTY IMAGES
Flattering, flexible, and completely hassle-free, the wrap dress is a godsend for women on the move. The garment is usually made of jersey—a breathable, lightweight, and wrinkle-resistant knit fabric—which makes it ideal for traveling or just going about a busy day. Moreover, it is tied or fastened with buttons at the waist, designed to fold over the body.

The wrap dress is closely linked to Diane von Furstenberg, a socialite-turned-fashion designer who, with the urging of fashion editor Diana Vreeland, built a company on said item. At the time, she was hopping from plane to party and wanted something that could accommodate her jet-set lifestyle. Today, the sleek and simple dress works for myriad situations, offering women a sense of ease as much mentally as visually.

THE WRAP DRESS
The Look

The Attico Zebra-Print Feather-Embellished Wrap Dressmatchesfashion.com
$1,444.00
SHOP NOW
Here is a clear and easy way to earn your style stripes.

THE WRAP DRESS
The Look for Less

Diane von Furstenberg Naomi Printed Silk Midi Wrap Dressmytheresa.com
$548.00
SHOP NOW
There is no gray area about the chicness of this look7. The Ballet Flat

GEORGE RINHARTGETTY IMAGES
There are conflicting accounts on the origin of the ballet flat. One states that it was American designer Claire McCardell who started it in 1941, when she commissioned Capezio to create a range of flats for her collection.

The other claims that it was Rose Repetto in 1947, when she fashioned a flat shoe for her dancer son who suffered from sore feet after classes. Then in 1956, after French actress Brigitte Bardot requested a pair of her own and donned them in And God Created Woman, the ballet flat as we know it came into prominence.

Either way, ballets flats were ushered into the fashion lexicon, further popularized throughout the years by Rita Hayworth, Jacqueline Kennedy, and Princess Diana. These women showed that reaching sartorial heights need not require a heel.

 

@jorbjorb did you get hacked or...?

 

coffee

 

Food Staple

A food staple is a food that makes up the dominant part of a population’s diet. Food staples are eaten regularly—even daily—and supply a major proportion of a person’s energy and nutritional needs.

GRADES

5 - 8

SUBJECTS

Biology, Ecology, Experiential Learning, Geography



Maize
Maize, called corn in the United States, is a staple food throughout most of the world, including among these farmers in Venda, South Africa. Maize is eaten by itself, and used for products such as sweeteners, breads, and cornmeal.

A food staple is a food that makes up the dominant part of a population’s diet. Food staples are eaten regularly—even daily—and supply a major proportion of a person’s energy and nutritional needs.

Food staples vary from place to place, depending on the food sources available. Most food staples are inexpensive, plant-based foods. They are usually full of calories for energy. Cereal grains and tubers are the most common food staples.

There are more than 50,000 edible plants in the world, but just 15 of them provide 90 percent of the world’s food energy intake. Rice, corn (maize), and wheat make up two-thirds of this. Other food staples include millet and sorghum; tubers such as potatoes, cassava, yams, and taro; and animal products such as meat, fish, and dairy.

Food staples traditionally depend on what plants are native to a region. However, with improvements in agriculture, food storage, and transportation, some food staples are changing. For example, in the islands of the South Pacific, roots and tubers such as taro are traditional food staples. Since 1970, however, their consumption has fallen.

Foods that were particular to one region are becoming popular in regions where they don’t traditionally grow. Quinoa, for instance, is a grain-like plant that is grown high in the Andes Mountains of South America. Today, quinoa is popular far outside of Latin America.

Although staple foods are nutritious, they do not provide the full, healthy range of nutrients. People must add other foods to their diets to avoid malnutrition.

Rice

Rice is a food staple for more than 3.5 billion people around the world, particularly in Asia, Latin America, and parts of Africa. Rice has been cultivated in Asia for thousands of years. Scientists believe people first domesticated rice in India or Southeast Asia. Rice arrived in Japan in about 3,000 years ago. The Portuguese most likely introduced it into South America in the 16th century.

Today, the world’s largest rice producers are China, India, and Indonesia. Outside of Asia, Brazil is the largest rice producer. Rice grows in warm, wet climates. It thrives in waterlogged soil, such as in the flood plains of Asian rivers like the Ganges and the Mekong. "Deepwater rice" is a variety of rice that is adapted to deep flooding, and is grown in eastern Pakistan, Vietnam, and Burma.

Corn (Maize)

Corn, known outside the United States as maize, is native to Central America, where it was domesticated by the Aztecs and Mayans. Corn remains the most widely grown crop in the Americas today. The United States is the world’s largest corn grower, producing more than 40 percent of the world’s corn. China, Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina also produce large amounts of corn.

Corn is used in a variety of ways, and can be stored relatively easily. This is why it is such a popular food staple.

Dried, ground corn is called cornmeal. Many cultures make porridge out of cornmeal, including polenta in Italy and sadza in Zimbabwe. Cornmeal is also used to make cornbread, or treated with limewater to make masa, the main ingredient in tortillas.

Corn kernels can be soaked in lye to produce hominy. Coarsely ground hominy is used to make grits, a popular food in the southeastern United States. Grits are a popular breakfast food, as are corn flakes and other cereals made from corn. Brazilians make a dessert called canjica by boiling corn kernels in sweetened milk.

In the Americas and the United Kingdom, many people like to boil, grill, or roast whole ears of corn and simply eat the kernels off the cob. Cooked kernels may also be removed from the cob and served as a vegetable. Certain varieties of corn kernels, when dried, will explode when heated, producing popcorn.

Corn is also used to produce corn oil, sweeteners such as corn syrup, and cornstarch, which is used as a sweetener and thickening agent in home cooking and processed food products. Alcohol from fermented corn is the source of bourbon whiskey.

Wheat

Wheat was first domesticated in the Middle East, in the area known as the Cradle of Civilization near what is now Iraq. Domesticating this reliable, versatile staple food was key to the development of agriculture.

Wheat grows well in temperate climates, even those with a short growing season. Today, China, India, the United States, Russia, and France are among the largest wheat producers in the world.

The majority of breads are made with wheat flour. Wheat flour is also used in pasta, pastries, crackers, breakfast cereals, and noodles. Wheat can be crushed into bulgur, which has a high nutritional value and is often used in soups and pastries in the Middle East.

Roots and Tubers

In addition to cereal grains, roots, and tubers are common food staples, particularly in tropical regions. Yams are an important food in the rainforests of West Africa. They are most commonly peeled, boiled, and pounded into a pulp to make a dough called fufu.

Cassava, also known as manioc, is a food staple for more than 500 million people. This tuber originated in the Amazon rainforest of South America, and was introduced into West Africa in the 16th century. Now, cassava is important to the diets of many people in Latin America and Africa.

Taro is a staple food on some of the Pacific islands, such as Hawai'i, Fiji, and New Caledonia, and also in West Africa. The Hawaiian national dish, poi, is a thick paste made from taro that has been boiled, mashed, and fermented.

Potatoes are native to the cold climate of the Andes Mountains. They were the food staple of the Inca Empire in the 15th and 16th centuries. Introduced to Europe by explorers of the 16th century, potatoes are now a food staple in Europe and parts of the Americas. The leading potato producers are China, Russia, India, the United States, and Ukraine.

Other Food Staples

Although cereal grains and tubers make up the majority of the world’s food staples, they are not the only dominant foods in the world. The Maasai of Kenya and Tanzania have traditionally relied on food provided by cattle for the majority of their diet. Milk, meat, and blood are traditional ingredients in Maasai diets. Today, grain has become a staple food of the Maasai, but they still drink large quantities of milk.

Cultures indigenous to polar climates, where fresh fruits and vegetables are scarce, rely on meat and fish as food staples. For example, Eskimo tribes of Alaska and northern Canada have traditionally eaten seal, walrus, and whale meat in addition to many kinds of fish.

In tropical climates, people often rely on starchy fruits such as plantains and breadfruit. In parts of Africa and Asia, especially India, legumes such as beans, lentils, and chickpeas are staple foods.



Beer Staple
Wheat, a food staple around the world, can be germinated and dried to create malt. Malt is a key ingredient in beer, one of the first beverages created by people. Ancient beer was not carbonated and was probably as thick as a light syrup. It had a very low alcohol content, but was high in starch and was made from specially prepared loaves of bread.

In ancient Egypt, workers on the pyramids were often paid in beer. Other starchy, high-calorie foods such as bread and crackers were food staples. Thirsty workers were simply "drinking their bread."

Tortilla Crisis
Corn is more than just a food crop. In recent years, corn has been used to make ethanol, a fuel that emits less pollution than gasoline. Unfortunately, the rising demand for ethanol has increased the cost of corn. In 2007, rising corn prices caused a "tortilla crisis" in Mexico, where corn-based tortillas are a major food staple.

Goddess of Grain
The Roman goddess, Ceres, was considered the protector of grain. The term "cereal" comes from her name.

Not Your Average Milkshake
For special celebrations, the Maasai of Kenya and Tanzania drink a mixture of milk and cow's blood.

 

This salsa I can only find at Aldi:



And Newmans Own Pineapple:

 

There has never been a better time to drink at home. Because at this time, home is one of scant locations where you actually can drink—though, as the sun kicks itself into high gear and vaccine appointment slots fill up, you could be squished into a too-dark dive, spilling whiskey sodas on the shoes of the stranger breathing down your collar, in next to no time. (Do we miss it? Hell yeah we miss it.)

Still, it's not like a smart cocktail setup at home will ever not be cool. It's the sign of a well-rounded, self-sufficient human adult specimen. No straining martinis through a pasta colander. No sipping margaritas from Red Sox memorabilia cups hearkening back to the 2004 World Series. It's all class, all the time where there's alcohol concerned. At least for the first round.

So build a home bar rig for yourself that passes muster. Finally learn the difference between a coupe and a Collins. Invest in good ice, because ice is a vital cocktail ingredient in itself. Purchase the tools that'll teach you the skills that'll last you a lifetime of home-stirred Negronis.

Below you'll find the tools, glassware, cornerstone spirits, and staple mixers you'll need to put together a decent setup, along with pointers on how to use them all. If you want to get into smoke cloches and Moscow Mule mugs, do it after. For now, stick to the home bar basics (and consider memorizing a classic cocktail recipe or two). Your next drink is very close at hand.

ROCKS GLASSES
Paris on the Rocks 9.5 oz. Glasses (Set of 6)

SCHOTT ZWIESELamazon.com
$49.99
SHOP
Use rocks glasses when you want to muddle ingredients in the serving glass, and as a general rule for drinks served over ice balls or cubes. Aim for 6 to 10 ounces. If you think you need a double, it means you're drinking two cocktails at a time. Ice melts too quickly for that and dilutes the drink beyond what recipes intend, so buy a single and make the second drink when number one is gone. Cocktails are meant to be enjoyed quickly, after all.

Example drinks: Old Fashioned, Negroni, Margarita

COLLINS GLASSES
Buswell 12 oz. Collins Glasses (Set of 6)

COCKTAIL KINGDOMamazon.com
SHOP
The Collins glass is so closely related to the Highball glass, which is slightly wider and squatter, that you only need one or the other. To have both is decidedly expert-level. Because drinks fit for a Collins or Highball glass are served with lots of ice, these should hold 10 to 12 ounces.

Example drinks: Gin & Tonic, Tom Collins (get it?), Mai Tai



COUPE GLASSES
Leopold 6 oz. Coupe Glasses (Set of 6)

COCKTAIL KINGDOMamazon.com
$39.99
SHOP
Coupes are historically 6 to 8 ounces, and are used for drinks served without ice. After straining the cocktail into the glass, the liquid should settle just below the rim. These can replace martini glasses, which spill far too easily to be worth buying for your home bar.

Example drinks: Daiquiri, Sidecar, Manhattan

A MIXING GLASS
Japanese-Style Mixing Glass (750 ml.)

KOTAIamazon.com
$34.99
SHOP
At least a half-liter mixing glass is suitable. A decent glass will be thick enough that a metal bar spoon banging around inside won't shatter it. Just make sure it has a pour spout so that when you serve the drink, you empty it all into a glass and not onto the rug.

A BAR SPOON
Charles Joly Bar Spoon

CRAFTHOUSE BY FORTESSAamazon.com
$14.95
SHOP
Sometimes used as a measurement for syrupy ingredients—e.g. “one bar spoon of pomegranate syrup”—its main purpose is to stir drinks; around 12.5 inches is the standard length for your standard-sized mixing glass. Too short and your sleeve cuffs will be taking alcohol baths. Too long and you'll look like Pee-wee Herman mixing a cocktail.

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
A SHAKER
Two-Piece Boston Shaker Set

A BAR ABOVEamazon.com
$25.98
SHOP
Buy the Boston type, in which you hold together two parts that look like metal pint glasses. You can make all shaken drinks in these. Skip the cobbler-type with the built-in strainer and cap. It can't do anything better than the Boston shaker, except look a little cooler.

A STRAINER
Hawthorne Cocktail Strainer

A BAR ABOVEamazon.com
$12.98
SHOP
The Hawthorne is your go-to tool for separating cocktails from extraneous ice and ingredient remnants as you pour from a mixing glass or shaker. It fits against the rim of both like a lid.

JIGGERS
Japanese-Style Jigger (1 x 2 oz.)

BARFLYamazon.com
$9.00
SHOP
Japanese jiggers weren't originally Japanese, but when Western bartenders rediscovered their Japanese counterparts using them in the 2000s, they fell back in love with the two-sided measuring tools. They have different capacities on each end, so you can buy half as many as you'd otherwise need. First get a 1-ounce x 2-ounce jigger.

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
Japanese-Style Jigger (1/2 x 3/4 oz.)

BARFLYamazon.com
$8.00
SHOP
And buy a 1/2-ounce x 3/4-ounce jigger while you're at it.

A BARTENDING KIT
10-Piece Bar Tool Set

MIXOLOGY & CRAFTamazon.com
$79.99
$49.99 (38% off)
SHOP
There's also the option to get all the tools you'll need—and a few that you won't—in one haul. This cocktail set comes with a stand, which is a nice flourish, though the individual tools aren't quite as well-made as those piecemeal options above.

ICE TRAYS
Ice Mold Freezer Trays (1.25 in.)

TOVOLOamazon.com
$13.67
$11.91 (13% off)
SHOP
Unless you're using a mallet and ice pick to chip your own cubes, spring for the ice trays. The 1.25-inch option is standard for ice used in mixing a cocktail.

SPHERICAL ICE MOLDS
Peak Sphere Ice Mold (2 in.)

W&Pamazon.com
$17.00
SHOP
For serving a cocktail or straight spirit over ice, buy the 2-inch ice ball mold; spheres melt slower than 2-inch cubes, and take longer to dilute your drink. Get two trays, because unless you're Canadian, you can never have too much ice. (Someday, you might even buy a Wintersmiths Phantom ice maker, the Bugatti of ice makers.)

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
A JUICER
2-in-1 Citrus Juicer

OXOamazon.com
$14.99
SHOP
Get a juicer for fresh lime and lemon juice, which go into many cocktail recipes. Fresh is key; bottled lime and lemon juice does not taste as good. Get a two-part setup that can handle oranges, too. The more crush, the better.

A MESH STRAINER
Conical Mesh Strainer

RSVP INTERNATIONALamazon.com
$11.95
SHOP
Occasionally you need to filter out certain ingredient debris that slips past an ordinary strainer, like fruit shards and egg. The fine mesh strainer is held over the serving glass, and the ingredients are poured through. You won't use it often, but when you need to, it'll be the only thing that works.

A MUDDLER
Unvarnished Wooden Muddler

COCKTAILORamazon.com
$5.99
SHOP
A muddler crushes tasty things to unlock their goodness, like mint leaves or sugar cubes. Avoid anything varnished or otherwise coated. It'll come off in your drinks, and poisoning people has been frowned upon in the cocktail world since at least the 1930s.

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
STAPLE SPIRITS
ReserveBar Spirits

reservebar.com
SHOP
The world's best bars don't use ultra-expensive base spirits. They use Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon, Famous Grouse Blended Scotch, Bushmills Black Bush Irish Whiskey, Plymouth Gin, Bacardi 8 Rum, Rittenhouse Bonded Rye, and Belvedere Vodka—the good stuff. (Spare everyone the histrionics over vodka being an inferior replacement for gin. Whether you drink it or not, you will definitely serve people who prefer vodka, so stock it.)

If these bottles don't suit, we've got reliable guides for the hands-down best bottles of bourbon, single malt, rye, Irish whiskey, tequila, mezcal, rum, and gin. Give 'em a look.

STAPLE MIXERS: TONIC
Q Mixers Tonic Water (24 Bottles)

amazon.com
$35.99
SHOP
Now we get into mixers, the ingredients that turn mere liquor into great cocktails. First, tonic. Shop Q Mixers or Fever-Tree; good tonic water is crucial.

STAPLE MIXERS: CLUB SODA
Fever-Tree Club Soda (24 Cans)

amazon.com
$24.99
$21.60 (14% off)
SHOP
Soda water is one area you can be not-picky; Fever-Tree, Q Mixers, Perrier, Topo Chico, Whole Foods 365, whatever gets the job done.

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
STAPLE MIXERS: BITTERS
Angostura Aromatic Bitters

walmart.com
$6.98
SHOP
From tonic and soda, branch out into bitters, simple syrup, and so on, based on the drinks you want to make. Angostura is the most-used bitters in classic cocktails (including the Manhattan and the Old Fashioned), though craft bitters companies are producing all kinds of interesting herbal concoctions to dash into a drink.

STAPLE MIXER: SIMPLE SYRUP
Pure Cane Simple Syrup

 

Oh shit now we talking

 

oatmeal

 

Forgot one:

 

TIL You can get underwear at Staples.

 

This thread is great fun to cruise through because after like 4 pictures I can’t remember what the name or purpose of this thread is until I get to the next page and then immediately forget again

 

new go to