Vacu Vin Bar in a Box Starter Set (3 Piece)
Vacu Vin Bar in a Box Starter Set (3 Piece)
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- Free Mainland UK delivery over £49 - No Quibble Returns
Vacu Vin Bar in a Box Starter Set (3 Piece)
You don't need a full bar cart to make a proper cocktail. You need something to measure with, something to shake or mix in, and something to crush fresh ingredients. The Bar in a Box Starter Set is exactly those three tools, no more, aimed at anyone who wants to start mixing drinks properly without buying a full kit they're not ready to use yet.
Vacu Vin has been making wine and bar accessories in the Netherlands since the mid-1980s, when its original vacuum Wine Saver first solved the problem of wine losing its flavour overnight. This set carries the same idea through to cocktails: keep it simple, make sure each piece earns its place.
It's a sensible way in if you're not yet sure how much home bartending you'll end up doing, and it's just as useful as a compact, no-fuss set for someone who already knows their way around a shaker but wants something that travels well or takes up less space.
Key features:
- 3-piece stainless steel starter set: for home cocktail making
- 350ml cocktail shaker: with a built-in strainer
- Double jigger: measures 15ml and 30ml
- Muddler: for crushing herbs, fruit and spices
- Compact size: stores easily in a single kitchen drawer
- Cocktail recipes included: developed with mixologist Chi-Ho to help you get started
What Customers Ask About This Set
Is three pieces really enough to make proper cocktails?
For a surprising number of classic cocktails, yes. Measuring accurately with the jigger and shaking properly covers drinks like a Daiquiri, Whisky Sour or Cosmopolitan, and the muddler extends that to anything built around crushed mint, fruit or sugar, such as a Mojito or Old Fashioned.
What can't I make with this set that I could with a bigger one?
Mainly stirred drinks like a Martini or Negroni, which are traditionally made with a bar spoon and mixing glass rather than shaken, and a proper double strain for drinks with citrus or egg white, which needs a separate fine sieve alongside the shaker's built-in strainer.
Is the shaker big enough for two drinks?
At 350ml, it's sized for one generous cocktail at a time rather than batching two, which suits most home use. If you entertain regularly and want to make rounds of drinks, the 7-piece Cocktail Lover Set's 550ml shaker gives you more headroom.
Is this a good gift for someone new to cocktails?
Yes. It's a manageable way in for someone who hasn't made cocktails before, without overwhelming them with tools they don't yet know how to use.
Will the stainless steel mark or rust with regular use?
Stainless steel resists rust and tarnish well. With a rinse after use and the occasional proper wash, it should keep its finish for a long time.
About Vacu Vin
Vacu Vin was born out of a fairly ordinary frustration: two Dutch brothers at a birthday party, annoyed that their opened wine had gone flat and lifeless by the next day. Their solution, a vacuum-sealing Wine Saver launched in 1986, became the company's signature product and is still in millions of households today.
That same instinct, solve the actual problem rather than add decoration, has carried through into the rest of the range, including this starter set. Three tools, each doing a specific job, rather than a drawer full of things you'll use once.
Why Start With Just These Three Tools
A lot of cocktail disappointment comes down to inconsistent measuring and under-prepared ingredients, not the recipe itself. Free-pouring spirits instead of measuring them is the single most common reason a home-made cocktail tastes stronger, weaker or just different each time you make it, and skipping the muddler means herbs and fruit don't release their flavour properly into the drink.
This set fixes both of those before you've spent any money on glassware or a full bar setup. Get comfortable with accurate measuring and proper muddling first, and everything you make afterwards, whether you stick with this set or build up to a bigger one, will taste more like it's supposed to.
Specifications
Care & Use Instructions
Washing: Vacu Vin recommends handwashing this set. Rinse promptly after use, then wash with warm soapy water and dry with a soft cloth to avoid water spots.
Storage: All three pieces fit comfortably in a single kitchen drawer, so there's no need for dedicated bar storage.
Using the Set: Measure spirits with the jigger rather than estimating, muddle fresh ingredients gently to release their flavour without pulverising them, and shake with ice for roughly 10-15 seconds for most cocktails.
Why Buy From The Riedel Shop?
Since establishing The Riedel Shop, we've built up expertise across wine and bar accessories, helping customers find the right tool for how they actually drink and entertain.
Our Guarantees to You
- ✓ No Quibble Returns
- ✓ Half-Price Accidental Breakage Replacement (2 Years)
- ✓ Price Match Guarantee
We believe you shouldn't have to take a risk when buying from us. Our Half-Price Replacement policy covers accidental breakage for 2 years from purchase with proof of purchase, giving you confidence to use what you buy regularly rather than reserving it only for special occasions.
Read our full guarantee policy →
Questions? Visit our contact page
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does delivery take?
Standard delivery to mainland UK addresses typically takes 3-5 working days and is free for orders over £49. Next day delivery may be available for £9.95 on orders placed before 1pm Monday to Thursday, depending on your location and our stock levels.
Can I return this if I don't like it after using it?
We offer a no quibble return guarantee that allows you to return goods even after use. The items must be in a resaleable condition and in their original packaging.
How does the Half-Price Replacement guarantee work?
If you accidentally break a piece within 2 years of purchase, we'll replace it at half the current retail price. You'll need proof of purchase (receipt, bank statement, or order confirmation if purchased online) and evidence of the damage (a photo is fine).
Does it come with any cocktail recipes?
Yes. Vacu Vin provides a set of cocktail recipes developed with mixologist Chi-Ho to help you get started, each built around a classic combination with a twist.
Should I buy this or the 7-piece Cocktail Lover Set?
If you're not sure how much cocktail-making you'll actually do, this is the sensible place to start. If you already know you'll want to make stirred drinks like a Negroni, or want a proper double strain on citrus-based cocktails, the 7-piece set adds the bar spoon, fine sieve and Hawthorne strainer that cover those.
Do you offer gift packaging?
The set comes in its own presentation box, which is suitable for gifting as is.
Is this suitable for making mocktails too?
Yes. The jigger, shaker and muddler all work just as well for measuring and mixing non-alcoholic drinks as they do for cocktails.
Can I buy additional pieces later to build up to a bigger set?
Some individual Vacu Vin bar tools, such as a bar spoon or strainer, are sold separately, so you can add to this set over time rather than needing to buy the full 7-piece set outright.
