Tending bar is a little more complicated than just knowing the best martini recipes, but with a little hard work you’ll be dispensing drinks like a professional. The heart of bartending, of course, is a deep knowledge of mixed drink recipes and the ability to turn out perfect drinks quickly. But to do this, you need to know the basics.

First off, you have to have the right equipment. Essential equipment for a bartender includes bottle openers, corkscrews, and can openers for getting your ingredients open. You’ll also need a blender and a cocktail shaker to make your drinks, and a long-handled spoon for mixed drink recipes that aren’t shaken. A juicer and a sharp knife are good for dealing with fruit, and ice tongs help you serve drinks on the rocks.

You’ll also want to make sure you have the right type of glass for the drink you’re serving. Even the best martini recipes won’t make the cut if you try serving them in a shot glass. Most bars stock about twenty different sizes and shapes of glasses and mugs. You’ll want to makes sure you have the type of glass you need for the drinks you’re making.

Now that you have your equipment, you need to stock your bar. You’ll need some essential ingredients, including liquors, liqueurs, mixers, fruit, fruit juices, and garnishes. You should think about the mixed drink recipes you’ll be using and have the right combination of alcohol and ingredients to make your drinks. Once you have these basics down, you’ll be ready to mix up whatever your guests have in mind!