by Sean Brison |
Last Updated: July 2, 2022 Which is the best cocktail shaker? It’s open to debate. Everyone has their preferences and is at a different stage in their journey.
Some love the beginner-friendly Cobbler, while industry pros gravitate towards the Boston shaker. Then, of course, there’s the sleek design of a Parisian shaker that looks fantastic on any bar top.
Whichever category you fall under, here are seven of the best cocktail shakers that lend to an authentic and enjoyable cocktail-making experience.
1. A Bar Above Stainless Steel Boston Shaker Set
Designed by a bartender for bartenders, this two-piece craft shaker set features an 18-ounce small tin and a weighted 28-ounce large tin. The creator, Chris Tunstall, discovered having one cup weighted and one unweighted works best. The unweighted cup produces a tight seal, while its weighted counterpart lets you open it easier after a vigorous shake. Forged from high-quality, food-grade Stainless Steel 304, they're built to last and won't suffer from funky rust spots (which ruins the appearance and taste of your drink).
2. OXO Single Wall Cocktail Shaker
This beginner-friendly cocktail shaker by OXO has a measuring cup, shaker, and strainer built into one unit. This saves you the trouble of needing to buy extra parts the way you'd have to when getting a Boston shaker. It comes equipped with two silicone gaskets creating a leak-proof seal. This makes it easy to open regardless of how vigorously you shake it (or how cold the tin gets). The cap pulls double duty as a jigger with printed measurement markings on the inside, while its stainless steel make-up prevents corrosive ingredients from damaging it (so it'll last a long time).
3. Cresimo Cocktail Shaker Set
The Cresimo cocktail shaker could be your classy starter into the marvelous mixology world. This 3-piece Cobbler set comes with a shaker tin, jigger, twisted bar spoon, and an illustrated recipe book. It holds a 24-ounce capacity, is made with superior 18/8 grade stainless steel, and wields an elegant mirror finish.
4. Barfly French Cocktail Shaker
This Parisian (French-style) antique copper 2-piece cocktail shaker set is made with heavy-duty stainless steel and an oversized top for efficient mixing, while the bottom fits securely to the upper tin, avoiding leaks. A stylish upgrade from the Cobbler with the functionality of a Boston shaker (both lack the built-in strainer and cap).
5. BrüMate Triple-Insulated Stainless Steel Cocktail Shaker
This vessel pulls double-duty as both a shaker and tumbler. Just swap the pour-through strainer cap with a drinking lid. Et voilà! The shake is muted because of its triple insulation, which means you won't feel the cold on your fingers the same as you would with a Boston or Cobbler shaker - a completely different sensation. It's also shatter-proof, leak-proof, and holds 20 ounces.
6. Fortessa Cocktail Shaker Set
World-class bartender Charles Joly designed this stunning four-piece cocktail set from Crafthouse by Fortessa to make your next experience behind the stick more enjoyable. It includes a two-piece Boston shaker, Hawthorne strainer, and a 2-ounce jigger of high-quality, heavy-gauge stainless steel. The 11.5-inch muddler is made from solid rich black walnut, inspired by prohibition-era barware, and adds an elegant touch to your next mixed drink.
7. Cocktail Kingdom Leopold Weighted Shaking Tins
Cocktail Kingdom is a leading manufacturer of professional barware that's practical, elegant, yet durable for daily use. This weighted 18-ounce and 28-ounce tin set is made from 18/8 stainless steel, is simple to clean, and dishwasher safe. They form a tight, well-insulated seal when shaking with a great snap upon opening. In addition, you'll find them easy to store as you can slip the small tin inside the large one without them sticking together. These make for a nice upgrade from the Cobbler or "glass on tin" sets.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cocktail Shakers
If you’re ready to buy a tin set but still have questions, here are the most common people usually have before deciding.
What are the different types of cocktail shakers?
The two primary cocktail shakers you’ll encounter in the bartending industry are the Boston shaker and Cobbler shaker.
You may have also heard the name “Parisian” shaker (aka French shaker). It’s similar to a Cobbler without the cap. It’s the third shaker type not as widely used.
But its sleek design makes for a stylish addition to any bar top.
You might also encounter the “pint-on-tin” Boston variation. It uses the larger cup from the Boston paired with a pint glass. Unfortunately, this version carries a higher risk of breakage (because of the glass element).
Boston Shaker
Your standard Boston shaker comprises two pieces: one 12-ounce mixing tin and one 28-ounce mixing tin.
Widely used by professional bartenders as their shaker of choice. I can attest to that, having worked in the service industry for a decade and the only tin I used throughout my career because of its ease of use.
They’re lightweight, feel good in the hands, and excellent for crafting drinks, stack easily, and form a tight seal.
Some inexperienced bartenders and enthusiasts may face difficulty getting the two tins to separate after a vigorous shake.
The tins expand and stick together but, with the proper technique, come apart in a pinch.
Cobbler Shaker
The cobbler shaker has three pieces:
- A tin
- A cap
- One top with a built-in strainer
A bit easier to use (especially for new cocktail creators), and the lid with a cap can be held with one hand and shaken just as easily.
Some caps pull double-duty as a jigger, so measuring ingredients is straightforward.
The problem you run into with cobbler shakers is they’re not leakproof, and some ingredients escape the tin.
The cap is small and easily lost, which is one main reason you won’t see too many professional bartenders using these cocktail shaker sets (especially in a high-volume setting).
When buying a tin, you must consider functionality, practicality, and aesthetics.
You want something that makes crafting a cocktail simple in the least amount of time.
What should you look for when buying a cocktail shaker?
The three primary factors to consider are the shaker’s material from which it’s made, capacity, and where you’ll be using it.
You want high-quality material so your tins will last.
Aim for food-grade 18/8 stainless steel. This industry standard ensures your tins won’t rust, will withstand thousands of washings, and maintain their shine indefinitely.
The second element worth noting is how many drinks your shaker can make at once. Again, look for tins with a minimum 12-ounce capacity (small tin) with the larger cup holding 28 ounces.
This should ensure you can make at least two drinks with every batch.
The third factor to consider is where you’ll be using it.
A Cobbler shaker will do OK if it’s a quiet evening with a couple of friends at home.
Alternatively, busier settings are best served with a Boston shaker and here’s why:
- It has fewer pieces (e.g., the Cobbler’s cap is the first thing you’ll lose in a high-volume setting)
- The Cobbler’s top and tin stick together after a vigorous shake (making it difficult to pry open), while the Boston will snap off with the proper technique.
- Boston’s stack together easily and occupy less space on your bar top.
For the above reasons, professional bartenders gravitate towards the Boston shaker.
Why is a Boston shaker weighted?
Weighted cups resist bending and make for an easier shake. The weight also adds to its center of gravity and is less susceptible to tipping.
Some bartenders prefer weighted tins because they feel better in hand, offering more control.
Sidenote: If you plan on doing a lot of muddling or stirring in your tin, weighted are better suited for those tasks.
Why Trust Drinklab.com?
Its founder, Sean Brison, has worked as a professional bartender and mixologist for a decade.
Stepping out from behind the bar, he now enjoys sharing what he knows with the online craft cocktail-making world while still using his kitchen as a “liquid laboratory.”
The Last Word
Ease of use plays a role in whatever type of barware you’re searching for to make a great cocktail, from mixing glasses to julep strainers to cocktail shakers.
Depending on your knowledge base of mixology and your bartending needs will dictate the type of shaker you require.
The above examples represent a great starting point. Happy shaking!
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