Buying guide
The Tiki Bar Starter Kit
Updated How we research
Mugs, tools, ice, and recipes for Mai Tais, Zombies, and every rum drink in between. The page is split into four sections (Start With Statement Tiki Mugs; Clear Ice That Melts Slowly; Shake Layered Rum Drinks Properly; A Recipe Book for the Deep Cuts), followed by every pick ranked by our score so you can compare them in one place.
The short version
We compared 16 picks. Our scores range from 6.3 to 9.2 out of 10.
- Best overall:Cocktails Illustrated: 400+ Recipes for the Home Bartender (America's Test Kitchen). Highest overall score in this guide at 9.2/10.
- Also great value:Ticent Ice Cube Trays (Set of 2) Silicone Sphere & Large Square Molds. Value score of 9/10, overall 8.6/10.
- Solid build:Cocktail Codex: Fundamentals, Formulas, Evolutions. Build and materials score of 9/10, overall 8.9/10.
- Feature-rich:The Essential Cocktail Book: A Complete Guide to Modern Drinks with 150 Recipes. Features score of 8/10, overall 8.6/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
Start With Statement Tiki Mugs
- SuproBarware Tiki Mugs Set of 12 - Large Ceramic Cocktail Tiki GlassesOur score8.4/10
- LINALL Tiki Mugs Cocktail Set of 8 - Ceramic Hawaiian Party Exotic Cocktail GlassesOur score7.9/10
- SuproBarware Tiki Mugs Set of 8 - Ceramic Hawaiian Party Drinkware for CocktailsOur score7.9/10
- Tiki Mugs Set of 4 - Ceramic Tiki Glass Cocktail Cups, Bar & Party BarwareOur score6.3/10
Clear Ice That Melts Slowly
- Ticent Ice Cube Trays (Set of 2) Silicone Sphere & Large Square MoldsOur score8.6/10
- KitchFort® Large Silicone Ice Cube Tray (2-Pack) - 2" Big Ice Mold with Lid | Easy Release, Cocktail, Whiskey Ice Cubes Mold - Food Grade - Ice Cube Trays for Freezer - Stackable Silicone Ice TrayOur score7.9/10
- Vinkoe Kitchen Silicone Ice Cube Trays Large for Whisky, Collins Ice Cube Mold Tray Also Used for Butter Mold, 2 CountOur score7.9/10
- Cylinder Ice Cube Tray for 30-40oz Tumbler, 3 Pcs with Lid and BinOur score6.5/10
Shake Layered Rum Drinks Properly
- WPHUAW 24oz Cocktail Shaker Bar Set Professional Stainless SteelOur score7.6/10
- KITESSENSU Cocktail Shaker Set Bartender Kit with StandOur score7.6/10
- Cresimo 24oz Cocktail Shaker Set with Bar AccessoriesOur score7.6/10
- Vizoshi Cocktail Shaker Set, 7-Piece Bartender Kit, Mixology Kit, Bar Set | Stainless Steel Cocktail Making Kit for Home Bar and Parties with Martini Shaker, Jigger, Strainer, Muddler and PourersOur score7.2/10
A Recipe Book for the Deep Cuts
- Cocktails Illustrated: 400+ Recipes for the Home Bartender (America's Test Kitchen)Our score9.2/10
- Cocktail Codex: Fundamentals, Formulas, EvolutionsOur score8.9/10
- The Essential Cocktail Book: A Complete Guide to Modern Drinks with 150 RecipesOur score8.6/10
- Death & Co: Modern Classic CocktailsOur score8.6/10
All 16 picks, ranked by our score
Every product from the sections above, listed once. Sort by the criterion you care about most, or tick up to three to compare.
#1America's Test Kitchen's Cocktails Illustrated with 400+ recipes, a thoroughly tested guide for home bartenders.
Fit for the job 10/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + 400+ recipes give an enormous range of drinks
- + America's Test Kitchen is known for carefully tested recipes
- + Illustrated format helps visual learners
- - Large recipe count can overwhelm total beginners
- - Less focus on bar culture stories than bar-authored books
#2Cocktail Codex, a book on cocktail fundamentals, formulas and evolutions for understanding drink templates.
Fit for the job 10/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + Teaches core templates so you can invent your own drinks
- + Formulas approach builds real mixing skills
- + Evolutions show how classics branch into variations
- - Conceptual structure suits curious learners more than casual readers
- - Many recipes use specialty spirits and ingredients
#3Ticent's set of 2 silicone ice trays with one sphere mold and one large square mold for whiskey and cocktails.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + Sphere and square molds give two ice shapes in one purchase
- + Silicone releases ice easily without cracking cubes
- + Large ice melts slowly for less dilution in spirit drinks
- - Makes a limited number of cubes per freeze
- - Silicone can absorb freezer odors over time
#4The Essential Cocktail Book, a complete guide to modern drinks with 150 recipes for home bartenders.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + 150 recipes cover classics and modern drinks
- + Guide format explains techniques alongside recipes
- + Approachable for beginners building a home bar
- - 150 recipes is fewer than encyclopedic cocktail books
- - Less technical depth than science-focused titles
#5Death & Co: Modern Classic Cocktails, a recipe book from the famous bar focused on modern classics.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + Recipes come from a highly influential cocktail bar
- + Covers technique, spec building and bar philosophy
- + Beautiful photography inspires home bartenders
- - Many recipes call for hard-to-find spirits
- - Advanced specs and techniques can challenge beginners
#6SuproBarware's set of 12 large ceramic tiki mugs, a big collection for tiki bars and tropical parties.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Set of 12 covers a full tiki party without reusing mugs
- + Large ceramic mugs fit crushed ice and garnishes
- + Varied tiki designs make each guest's drink distinct
- - Twelve large ceramic mugs take lots of cabinet storage space
- - Ceramic glaze may need hand washing to stay vibrant
#7LINALL's tiki mug cocktail set of 8, ceramic Hawaiian party mugs for luaus and exotic tropical drinks.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Set of 8 gives a variety of tiki designs for a party
- + Ceramic mugs keep tropical drinks cool and look festive
- + Hawaiian themed designs suit luaus and tiki bars
- - Check the mug capacity before buying to suit your usual pour
- - Ceramic tiki mugs can chip if knocked together
#8SuproBarware's set of 8 ceramic Hawaiian tiki mugs, party drinkware for Mai Tais, Zombies and other tropical cocktails.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Set of 8 is a good size for a backyard luau or tiki night
- + Ceramic walls hold the chill of crushed ice in tropical drinks
- + Assorted Hawaiian designs give the bar an instant tiki theme
- - Check the mug volume before buying so recipes need no adjusting
- - Glazed ceramic is heavier and more chip-prone than plastic tiki cups
#9KitchFort two-pack of large silicone ice trays making 2 inch cubes, with lids, for slow-melting ice in whiskey and cocktails.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Two trays with lids, a close match to the original 2-pack of 2 inch molds
- + Food-grade, BPA-free silicone is described as freezer friendly
- + Separate cavities and a flexible twist-and-push release for 2 inch cubes
- - Trays are flexible silicone, so fill them carefully when carrying to the freezer
- - Cubes are not clear, since this is a standard mold rather than a directional freezer
#10Vinkoe silicone ice tray making tall rectangular Collins cubes, four cubes per tray at about 5.24 by 1.22 by 1.22 inches.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Tall 5.24 inch cubes sized for Collins and highball glasses
- + Listing describes heavy duty construction for the trays
- + Slow-melting large cubes keep drinks cold with less dilution
- - Four cubes per tray, so a party needs several batches or more trays
- - Listing is a single tray, while the original came as a 2-tray pack
#11WPHUAW's 24oz professional stainless steel cocktail shaker bar set, a roomy shaker for two drinks at once.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 24oz capacity comfortably shakes a pair of cocktails with ice
- + Stainless steel body chills quickly for a colder, frothier drink
- + Bar set format adds helpful tools beyond the shaker itself
- - Obscure brand name makes long-term quality harder to predict
- - Cobbler lids on sets like this can stick when the metal gets very cold
#12KITESSENSU's cocktail shaker set with stand, a popular bundle that pairs a shaker with matching bar tools.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Included stand keeps the shaker and tools together between uses
- + Matching tools create a cohesive look on a home bar cart
- + Good choice for gifting since it arrives as a complete setup
- - Check the shaker capacity before buying to fit your usual batch size
- - Stand adds footprint that may not suit very tight counters
#13Cresimo's 24oz cocktail shaker set with bar accessories, a long-standing shaker bundle for home cocktail parties.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 24oz shaker handles two standard cocktails in one go
- + Bar accessories are included, so you can start mixing straight away
- + Established brand in the home bar shaker category
- - Cobbler-style caps can leak slightly if not pressed on firmly
- - Accessories are basic compared with dedicated premium tools
#14Vizoshi 7-piece cocktail shaker set in 18/8 stainless steel, a beginner-oriented bartender kit at a budget price.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Seven pieces cover shaking, measuring and straining in one kit
- + 18/8 stainless steel is described as rust resistant
- + Listing aims at beginners and gift buyers, with an affordable price
- - Little-known brand, with limited detail on piece sizes in the listing
- - Larger sets can hold tools you rarely use
#15A 3-piece cylinder ice cube tray set with lid and bin, sized for 30-40oz tumblers rather than cocktail glasses.
Fit for the job 5/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Cylinder shape slides easily into tall tumblers
- + Lid and storage bin keep ice fresh in the freezer
- + 3 trays make a steady supply for everyday drinks
- - Designed for large tumblers, not rocks or coupe glasses
- - Cylinder ice is less suited to classic cocktail presentation
#16A set of 4 ceramic tiki glass cocktail cups, a small starter set of tiki barware for home tropical drinks.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 5/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 7/10
- + Set of 4 is an easy entry point for a first tiki collection
- + Ceramic cups add theme and fun to rum cocktails
- + Works for parties and everyday tropical drink service
- - Check the mug capacity and design details before ordering
- - Only four mugs, so bigger luaus need a second set
Popular right now
- Best Clear Ice MakersBuying guide
- Jigger Measurements GuideArticle
- How to Unstick a Cocktail Shaker and Stop It LeakingArticle
- Lewis bag explainedGlossary
- Best Whiskey DecantersBuying guide
- Best Collins GlassesBuying guide
Based on the last 28 days of search and visitor data.
Cocktail Gear Hub curates picks for US shoppers. Scores are our editorial assessment. We may earn a commission from links on this page.