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Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian shares his 7 home bar must-haves, from $10

The Food Network star tells us which shaker, cocktail ingredients and accessories every amateur mixologist should own.

Geoffrey Zakarian, lighthouse cocktail shaker, bitters (Geoffrey Zakarian, Amazon)
Shake up your home bar with these picks from hosting honcho Geoffrey Zakarian. (Geoffrey Zakarian, Amazon)

If anyone knows how to entertain like a pro, it's Geoffrey Zakarian. He's made a career of feeding and hosting people, both in real life and on TV. The chef has written three cookbooks, opened several restaurants and currently stars on Food Network's Chopped and The Kitchen. We didn't even mention his cooking chops of steel — in 2011, he became an Iron Chef!

Having worked in the restaurant biz since the 1980s, Geoffrey is a bonafide drinks expert. He curates wine collections for QVC and Wine Insiders and has dreamed up dozens of cocktail recipes, like his Great White Negroni (yum!).

With hosting season almost upon us, we thought it'd be a great time to get some of his tips for setting up a home bar. Naturally, he pointed us in the direction of the party staples he sells on his website, but he also recommended unique buys perfect for merrymaking.

Ready to win holiday hosting? Read on for his picks — plus the one thing he's shopping for right now. And if you're curious how other pros stock their kitchens, check out these fabulous finds from fellow Food Network star Sunny Anderson and "the internet's favorite grandma" Babs Costello.

Geoffrey has multiple shakers, including silver ones that look like lighthouses. "Whatever you put in it, it always brings conversation!" he says. His are antique, but I tracked down this new lookalike at Bed Bath & Beyond. More fun shakers below!

$239 at Bed Bath & Beyond

I think we can all agree this stainless steel cocktail shaker is out of this world! It's made by Viski, a brand beloved by mixologists for its stylish glasses and barware.

$38 at Amazon

Don't be surprised if you have a line of guests marching right up to this little guy. The Art Deco-inspired winner holds 18 ounces. "This might be the cutest cocktail shaker on the market," wrote one fan. "It is gorgeous stainless steel and in addition to the cute penguin head, it also stands on little penguin feet and it has two little penguin arms at the sides. Great quality conversation piece ... and it works!"

$25 at Amazon

Geoffrey famously tosses back multiple double espressos a day, so of course he found a way to use a mini electric frother — usually reserved for coffee-and-milk drinks — at his home bar. "It really comes in handy when you add egg whites to a cocktail," he says. 

This gem from Zulay Kitchen is a Yahoo shopping editor favorite and a total bargain at $10.

$10 at Amazon
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$21 at Wayfair

Bitters Triple Play

Many classic cocktail recipes call for bitters, which are spirits made with roots, spices, citrus peels and other botanicals — they're a must for Geoffrey. "The infinite flavor profiles can change the same drink with the same liquors — just by adding a different level and type of bitters. It’s the umami of the bar!" he says.

He keeps a wide variety at home, but I like this three-bottle set because it includes some of the most well-known bitters out there. It's a great starter kit!

$29 at Amazon

Geoffrey considers shakers, strainers and glass beakers key bar accessories, and luckily most fall under $100, with strainers and beakers often costing much less.

Though he didn't specify any brands, I'm a huge proponent of Oxo gadgets, and this steel cocktail strainer gets an impressive 5,600 five-star ratings on Amazon. "I love that this strainer is exactly what it’s supposed to be," wrote one shopper. "It is lightweight but sturdy. I have had compliments from other bartenders who think it works great. It’s not too flashy, but it doesn’t leak or cause any issues. I also have not had the wire fall off on me yet. I’m a big fan."

$10 at Amazon

If you're stirring, not shaking, your cocktails, you'll want something sturdy to mix them in that has a spout for pouring. Enter the glass beaker. 

This one, made by Hiware, has a classy etched design and a weighted bottom so you can stir to your heart's content without worrying about it tipping.

$16 at Amazon

Amazon

Geoffrey's advice: Go for it and give your booze a designated spot. "A very special cart on wheels exists for your particular space," he says. "Just make sure it does not overwhelm the area."

If you're working with limited square footage, look for a slim unit with at least two tiers and built-in bottle and glass racks (like this one from Mahancris) to maximize storage. Scroll on for another cute cart.

$44 at Amazon

Geoffrey loves an antique bar cart and if you too are a fan of yesteryear style (but would rather buy new) consider this rubberwood option. The finish is a rich burgundy, a very on-trend color in home design right now. Brass accents add a touch of glamour.

$56 at Amazon
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$64 at Walmart$64 at Target

Amazon

Geoffrey believes fancy cocktails deserve fancy ice — plus it's worth noting too-small pieces can dilute your drink — so he's in the market for an ice press. These gadgets transform cubes into spheres and other shapes, including custom designs. Many run well into the hundreds of dollars; this one I found from Vevor costs $90.

$90 at Amazon