How to Choose the Best Cocktail Shaker: A Comprehensive Guide

You want to be the best bartender you can be, and this means knowing how to use a cocktail shaker. You may think that all cocktail shakers are the same, but there is actually quite a bit of variety in terms of what they look like and their functionality. In this post, we will explore these differences so that you can find your best choice for a cocktail shaker!

A Brief History of the Cocktail Shaker

If you think of a cocktail shaker as a “vessel used to blend liquids,” it’s possible that they’ve been in use for thousands of years. “In prehispanic Mexico and South America, the jar gourd was utilized as an enclosed container, so the cocktail shaker may be dated back to 7000 BCE.”

Until around the mid-nineteenth century, bartenders typically mixed drinks by pouring them between who cups. It’s said that an innkeeper wanted to make a “little show” by putting a smaller cup inside the larger one and shaking it.

The new approach became increasingly widespread throughout the second half of the nineteenth century, prompting a slew of patents regarding this new style of combining drinks. This lovely “apparatus for mixing beverages” by W. Harnett – dated 1872 – is the first I’ve come across.)

Cocktail shakers became popular in the early twentieth century, but their usage dropped dramatically during prohibition and again during World War II (as metal production was all but reserved for the war effort.) After the 1950’s, cocktail shakers regained popularity and became quite common at home.

What are the different types of cocktail shakers?

Shakers are available in a variety of forms and sizes, although two dominate the market: cobbler and Boston. The cobbler is a popular dish made up of three components: a tin, a cap, and a built-in strainer.

Bartenders that have a flair for the creative often prefer using a Boston shaker. These mixing tins, which may be made of glass or tin, have two 12- and 28-ounce mixing tins and provide ample space for ice and drink due to their tight natural seal and ample area.

The Boston Shaker

The Boston Shaker, which isn’t much of a departure from the innkeeper’s inspiration in the 1800s, is the most popular option among professional and high-volume bars. The larger cup is placed upside down over the smaller one and sealed with a “whack”.

The majority of models have two steel cups, whereas a few of them are constructed with one glass cup and one steel cup. Steel is (not surprisingly) more durable than glass, so it doesn’t break as easily.

The steel cups can either be “weighted” (which you can see on the larger cup in the image above) or filled with sand. The weight adds stiffness and some weight to the shaker cup, making it more comfortable and quieter to use.

Benefits of the Boston Shaker:

The Boston Shaker will not be trapped closed. This is unlike the cobbler shaker, which is well-known for being trapped shut – but it’s something you should look out for after making a couple of drinks in the shaker and it’s gotten rather chilly.

It’s quick and simple to seal and reopen with practice.

The dishwasher-safe cup is simple to maintain.

Downsides of the Boston Shaker:

The Boston Shaker has the disadvantage of requiring a separate strainer such as a Hawthorn strainer — there isn’t one built in like on the Cobbler shaker. That said, the Cobbler shaker’s built-in strainer isn’t always very effective – so you may want to strain separately anyhow.

The style of shaker you see here is also a little difficult to get the hang of, but not enough to deter me.

There’s an increased risk of glass shattering for Boston Shakers using a glass cup.

The Boston Shaker is a fantastic option for bartenders who want to create cocktails on a regular basis. It’s simple enough for novices to learn, yet it’s also sophisticated enough to serve the busiest bartender. 

The Cobbler Shaker

When most people imagine a cocktail shaker, they think of this one. It’s the type of mixer that you’re most likely to come across in a consumer kitchen or at home. It’s made of stainless steel and has a strainer built in, as well as a small cap that fits on top to keep the liquid trapped while shaking.

Benefits of the Cobbler Shaker

The Cobbler shaker is the most “beginner friendly” of the shakers, in that it’s simple to put together and (usually) open up again, and has a strainer in the cap, so you won’t need to buy one.

You won’t need to buy a strainer separately, as I mentioned previously.

Drawbacks of the Cobbler Shaker

Since the cobbler shaker’s two metal components are merely “placed” together rather than tightly sealed, it is vulnerable to seepage.

Additionally, when the cap and cup become moist, they frequently freeze, making it extremely tough to open the shaker. This is especially likely if you’re using the shaker many times in a row because the metal will get really, really cold.

The built-in strainer is rather ineffective. I haven’t seen a cobbler shaker with an effective strainer built in yet; usually they have big holes, resulting in a drink with ice and fruit pulp mixed in.

When you’re shaking the container, you’ll want to keep that little cap on top – if not, it may fly off and drench the person behind you.

The Cobbler shaker, in my opinion, has too many disadvantages to be worthwhile.

Unless you only intend to make cocktails once a year or less, and never more than one at a time, go for it. Otherwise, consider investing in the Boston Shaker since it will continue to operate as you become more experienced with bartending and won’t leak or get stuck closed.

The French (Parisian) Shaker

The French Shaker is the rarest of the three shaker types. The French shaker is (in my modest opinion) the nicest of the three, like a halfway point between the Cobbler Shaker and the Boston Shaker.

Benefits of the French Shaker

The cap of the French shaker sits inside the cup, giving it a better seal than the Cobbler shaker and making it less prone to freeze shut, even if this isn’t always the case.

This is a gorgeous piece! The finest looking shaker in this style.

Drawbacks of the French Shaker

The French Shaker, like the Boston Shaker, is made up of only two parts and does not include a strainer.

Can take a bit of practice, again, like the Boston Shaker

It might be tough to locate, particularly in commercial shops.

What to look for in the best cocktail shaker

Capacity

Shakers come in a variety of sizes, from single-serving to crowd-sized. A tiny 12-ounce shaker will suffice if you just need a shaker big enough for a happy hour for one. If you’re planning to make drinks for a large gathering, go for a shaker that holds at least 28 ounces. This will save you time by allowing you to mix many cocktails at once.

Material

Shakers are available in a variety of materials, but the most important feature is that they must be robust. Metal will rust, tarnish, and flake with time if it is low-quality. Stainless steel of higher quality will stay bright and new for many years of use thanks to its ability to resist corrosion.

Avoid placing your shakers in the dishwasher overnight to prevent their finish from corroding (the steam will damage the finish or plating) and hand-wash them to keep the surface looking fresh. If you work in a high-volume bar or have bad butterfingers, avoid glass shakers.

Weight

A shaker with weight is highly recommended for bartenders. One tin will have weight to it, whereas the other does not. This gives a more secure seal and greater stiffness. The true advantage, however, is that a weighted shaker is easier on your joints and muscles after a night of mixing cocktails.

Cleaning

Handwashing may extend the life of your cocktail shaker, but many are dishwasher-safe for convenience. If you intend on handwashing, Boston shakers are simpler to clean since the shaker tins have large openings. Because many cobbler shakers have a built-in strainer and tiny opening, cleaning them is difficult.

How do you use a cocktail shaker?

Fill your shaker with the cocktail ingredients in order the recipe. Fill the container with a thick layer of ice (the less ice, the quicker the drink will dilute).

Then, if you’re using a cobbler shaker, add the lid. Cover your tins with a Boston shaker if necessary. Shake the tins until the sides have frosted over and are cool to the touch, usually about 15 seconds. Strain out ice chunks, herbs, and citrus seeds for a smoother texture.

What is the best way to keep cocktail shakers from leaking?

The quality of your shaker will have a significant impact. A well-made shaker tin will create a tight seal on its own. Use the heel of your hand to tighten the seal if you’re using a Boston shaker.