Whether you already know your way around a home bar or want to learn the ropes, here’s how to make it personal.

Mix up a batch of your very own easy-to-make bitters, which are as important to your bar as salt & pepper are to your kitchen cabinet, and use ‘em in just about everything. It’s boozy and intense on its own, but a few dashes of the stuff will pair beautifully with most any cocktail to draw out new flavors. And here’s the fun part: you can customize your bitters recipe to complement a flavor in your favorite booze, or to add an entirely new dimension to classic cocktails -- experimentation is encouraged. There's lots of potential beyond the bar cart, too: try it in soda, baked goods, or your next dinner recipe when you're not busy drinking.

Make Your Own Bitters Kit, Easy and Oskey

An easy project that pays delicious dividends. All you need is some sugar and a little bit of your favorite liquor to use with the included dry ingredients, bottles, and distilling gear. And if you’re generous, the finished product makes for a terrific gift to anyone who enjoys a good cocktail (or three). The only hard part is waiting for your batch to mature before you can get to mixing.

There are ingredients for two unique batches:

Each batch makes 10 oz of bitters -- which goes a very long way -- and we've included six bottles with droppers and labels for pro-level presentation.

This custom kit includes: 2 bitters ingredient sets (naked and orange or habañero), 2 mixing jars, 6 dropper bottles & labels, funnel, cheesecloth, instructions, and recipes.

The 12 Bottle Bar, David Solmonson

You don't need to have an overflowing liquor cabinet stocked with obscure liqueurs like in the mixology joints. Here's your 400-page field guide on the only dozen bottles you need to make more than 200 drinks, from classics to bold new options. Work your way through as many of 'em as you can while you wait for your bitters to mature, then put your new ingredient to good use while trying the rest of the recipes.

Thirsty yet?

Want to measure up to some of history's greatest adventurers?

With a strong lineup of products that have stood the test of time, you'll be discovering new lands, climbing mountains, and forging maps in no time. Use these well and you might even pass them on to your grandkids (along with some slightly exaggerated stories.)

No. 8 Pocket Knife, 3.25" Stainless Steel Blade with an Oak Handle, Opinel

This isn't just a knife -- it's a damn legend. Manufactured since 1890 in the small town of Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, this pocket knife has become a profound icon of French design and utility. Need proof? Pablo Picasso used it to carve his sculptures, and lots of legendary explorers never left home without one. And aside from being a MoMA-endorsed design masterpiece, it's got a resilient oak handle, stainless steel blade, and a unique locking collar to keep the blade in place and your fingers intact.

Black Sport Fountain Pen with Pocket Clip & Blue Cartridge Refills, Kaweco

Unlike cheap ballpoints, this pen has got old-school appeal with keen modern design. And when we say “old-school appeal,” we mean it: Kaweco’s been in the business since 1883 and packs all that history into a sharp contemporary rendition. They're crafted from high-quality plastic, are compact when capped (4.1 inches), but just right when posted (5.3 inches), and come with a screw-on cap for extra security, a 23 KT gold plated stainless steel, and a medium-sized nib with an iridium tip. Learn how to use it well and your handwriting will be smooth and full, unlike the near-illegible scratches you get with a disposable pen. We've even thrown in six ink cartridge refills, plus a gold pocket clip so you can keep it clipped into the pocket of your tailored suit.

Godwin Cold-Pressed Steel Bottle Opener, Machine Era Co.

You know what they say: "write drunk; edit sober." This'll help get you on your way to the former, at least, with a strong cold steel construction that's made start to finish in the U.S. It’s weighty enough to be damn near indestructible but light enough for your every day carry, and looks like a work of art: the gun-barrel-black finish and engraved artwork will outclass anything on your keyring.

Black Soft Cover Notebook, 5" x 8.25”, Poppin

Whether you’re a design-obsessed writer or are just tired of covering your desk with Post-It Notes, a reliable and minimal notebook is the perfect way to keep track of your brilliant ideas. This one has got got 192 ruled pages for all of your notes, along with with an interior pocket for loose paper and an elastic closure to keep it all secure. So you can write down all of your notes for the Great American Novel... or a grocery list while you're bored in your next meeting.

Now it's your turn to put this timeless gear to good use.