Colin and Justin: Shaken, not stirred

Published Jan 10, 2025  •  3 minute read

A mixologist’s dream — everything you need to mix up a storm in the home bar.

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In the city, where real estate is often compromised, a quality bar cart can serve reliable duty

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Gosh, January the 11th, already? 

Time flies, huh?  As much as we embraced the festive calendar, we relish this, the post holiday period, even more.  With pressures eased, we love hosting casual soirees for the folks we missed in the thick of party season.  As much as we’ll still cook, we’ll prepare lighter meals, with the emphasis on easy appetisers, informal snacks and, well, libations.  Enjoyed responsibly, of course.   

At the cottage, we have a dedicated home bar stuffed with all manner of mixers, stirrers and shakers, and the requisite boozy components of every cocktail ever poured. Straight up, on the rocks, or muddled (with skills akin to John Hamm on the set of Mad Men)  we take our bar tender roles very seriously.  Cue decadent dreams of Singapore Slings at Raffles, Vodka Tonics at The Ritz, or Gin Martinis at the Waldorf Astoria.  Yes indeed, we’re somewhat old school. 

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In the city, where real estate is often compromised, a quality bar cart can serve reliable duty.  One of our favourites is ‘Fae’ from Crate and Barrel (wwwcrateandbarrel.ca). Two-tiered with gold accents, its handles are wrapped in cognac hide to provide a sturdy grip on the brass-plated, acacia wood shelved structure.  And it boasts plenty of space for liquor and accessories.  

Stage set, we recommend gathering a roster of bits and pieces to augment your mixology chops. One of the best high street resources is Toronto’s Cocktail Emporium (the brand’s bricks and mortar outlets are outstanding) where inventory is available for home delivery cross Canada. Mix it up by visiting www.cocktailemporium.com  

To trigger your inner jigger, The Mixology Bartender Kit is a ten piece set that corals pretty much everything you’ll need to pour with conviction. Finished in burnished gold, with an ellipse shaped bamboo base, the set comprises a cocktail shaker, a double ended 1oz/1.5oz measure, a sieve, a long muddling spoon, a bottle opener and all manner of extras to ensure your liquid offerings are top shelf. Find it at www.amazon.ca  

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For drinking vessels that would look super smart atop your bar cart, look no further than IKEA (www.ikea.com), where the glass wares design team has done a remarkable job. Whilst traditional crystal variants boast undeniable brilliance and clarity, many contain lead, a metal you won’t find in the Swedish giant’s Dyrgrip range which uses crystalline, a material with all the visual and ergonomic qualities of crystal, but sans heavy metal.   

Details are important, and we like garnishing our cocktails with cherries spiked on chi-chi metal skewers.  Whilst these can be pricy, the ‘Reusable Stainless Steel Cocktail Picks Set by Jiarri is a true bargain.  The twenty piece collection costs just $6.77 and can be found online at www.walmart.ca  

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 When it comes to ice, up your drinks’ game with a range of king cube, hexagonal and ball shaped moulds, some of which can be ordered with initials or a monogram, from Bemold.  Chill out by clicking www.etsy.com and suffuse your bar top skills with professional flair.  

If you’d like to capture a spot of cocktail magic, but without the associated time and fuss, try the Glenlivet Twist & Mix Old Fashioned, a new part of the Glenlivet Single Malt Scotch family.  The bottle is ‘activated’ when you twist the cap, at which point the ancillary flavours of a classic Old Fashioned are jettisoned, from the top, into the amber liquid below.  Take it from us, this is a really good cocktail, especially when the clock is ticking.  Find this time saving gem in your local liquor store, pop a bottle atop your chi-chi bar cart, and watch thirsty guests swoon as they line up. 

However you style your home bar, don’t go overboard, lest your hospitality trolly ends up more Rovers Return (thank you, Coronation Street) than chic, domestic libation station. Similarly, when it comes to the booze you dispense, go easy: indulge sensibly, and remain ever responsible for the enjoyment of family and friends. Oh, and in the meantime, via this, our first column of 2025, cheers.  And lang may yer lumb reek!  

Watch for Colin and Justin on City-Tv. Find the Colin and Justin Collection in stores across Canada. For more information, visit colinandjustin.tv.

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