Buying guide for Best cocktail shakers
Whether your drink is a martini (shaken, not stirred), a manhattan, or a mint julep, you'll need a cocktail shaker if you want to enjoy it at home. The world of cocktails can seem a bit baffling to an outsider, but once you know your cobbler from your cointreau, you'll realize you don't have to be a professional bartender to make a decent daiquiri.
But how do you find the best cocktail shaker to make your dreams a reality?
Cocktail shakers come in sizes ranging from 10 oz up to 60 oz. While most people may not need the biggest shaker, we research these for their ability to work well in fast-paced professional environments.
The spout of a cocktail shaker can be wide or small and will determine how easy it pours. We look for products that allow the liquid to flow evenly with very little effort.
Cobbler shakers provide a unique 3-piece design that many homeowners like to use as it includes a strainer. We look for all 3 pieces to perform well for a variety of cocktails.
If you plan on mixing drinks on a regular basis then finding a lightweight option may be your best bet. We investigate the weight of every cocktail shaker on our list.
Most cocktail shakers are stainless steel, but some other metals may be utilized. We assess the advantages and disadvantages of each material used.
Most cocktail shakers are stainless steel, but some other metals may be utilized. We assess the advantages and disadvantages of each material used.
Some cocktail shakers may come in a set with additional items such as a stir stick. We assess whether these extras add to the overall value of the product itself.
When looking for a shaker you want an item that stays closed when you need it but also is easy to open up after making a cocktail. This is something we look for during our research.
Certain cocktail shakers may feature unique designs. While these can be quite a statement piece, they may not function as well as we would like. We value performance more than style.
Cocktail shakers can range in price anywhere from $10-$50 depending on the design, performance, and included extras. We weigh how versatile each option is versus its cost to find where it fits on our list.
Types of cocktail shakers
Boston shaker
A Boston shaker is comprised of two parts: a tin and a glass. Professional bartenders typically favor Boston shakers.
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Pros: Easy to clean, plenty of inexpensive options available, compact to store, looks impressive once you know how to use it properly.
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Cons: Breakable glass portion, harder to use than a cobbler shaker, requires a separate strainer.
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Price: Usually between $10 and $50.
Cobbler shaker
Cobbler shakers are also known as three-piece shakers, as they're made up of three parts: a tin, a strainer, and a lid.
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Pros: Easy to use, no need for a separate strainer, readily available in most stores that sell housewares, offered in a wide range of sizes, stylish.
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Cons: Built-in strainer can be tricky to clean, sometimes hard to open, slower to use than Boston shakers.
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Price: Roughly $15 to $50 for an average model; high-end options can cost $100 to $200.
Parisian shaker
A Parisian shaker, or "French Shaker," is somewhere between a Boston and a Cobbler. It looks similar to a Cobbler shaker with a tightly fitting metal top and bottom, but like a Boston strainer, it only has a two-part construction. In the U.S., Parisian shakers aren't particularly common.
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Pros: Attractive, easier to open than a Cobbler shaker, easy to clean.
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Cons: Hard to find, requires a separate strainer.
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Price: Anywhere between $20 and $100, depending on the quality.
For your safety
Avoid Cobbler shakers that have a curved lip around the strainer, as this can cause drips and is more awkward to clean.
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Considerations
Size
Cocktail shakers come in a range of sizes, usually measured in ounces. Small shakers of eight or 10 ounces are designed to make a single drink; 60-ounce shakers are designed for service at a large party.
Think about how many drinks you generally want to make and choose accordingly. If you're unsure, 24-ounce model may be a good option. You can make two to three drinks in it, yet it's still a manageable size for most people.
Weight
Consider the weight of your chosen cocktail shaker, and make sure it's not too heavy for you. This is especially important if you plan to do showy tricks while mixing drinks. That said, a slightly heavier weight can be a good thing. Some Boston cocktail shakers have weighted tins which can improve the seal between the tin and the glass, making leakage less likely. Some people also find it's easier to perform tin stalls and spins with a weighted shaker.
Material
The majority of cocktail shakers are made from metal – usually stainless steel since it's easy to clean and doesn't rust. However, some cheaper models are made from plastic. Boston shakers usually have a metal tin and a smaller glass that fits inside, but some models use a smaller second tin in place of the glass.
FAQ
Q. Should I buy a cocktail shaker that comes with a range of accessories?
A. Some cocktail shakers are sold as a set complete with an array of accessories, such as spoons, ice tongs, jiggers, strainers, and muddlers. Whether or not you should buy a shaker with accessories depends on how serious you are about cocktails and whether you already own the accessories. If you'll only be making the occasional cocktail, you don't need a huge number of accessories. On the other hand, if you plan to learn to make cocktails like a pro, you'll need a wide range of accessories.
Q. Which type of cocktail shaker is best for a beginner?
A. If you're new to making cocktails, the simplest type of shaker to use is the Cobbler shaker. With a strong seal between the tin and lid and a built-in strainer, it's as simple as putting your ingredients inside, giving them a shake, and pouring them out again.
Q. Where can I find cocktail recipes?
A. There's no point owning a cocktail shaker if you don't know any drink recipes. You can find a wide range of books and websites dedicated to cocktail recipes.
