Shaken or stirred? You’ll need a sturdy cocktails shaker if it’s the latter. Brandon Lockman, the lead bartender at Portland’s Red Star Tavern, says that there are three types of cocktail shakers.

The Boston shakers consist of two 12- or 28-ounce mixing containers. They can be used with either one glass shaker and one Tin (glass-on–tin) or two Tins (tin–on–tin). The liquid seals the tins together, so they fit in each other. A quick shake will allow the drink to cool down quickly. Lockman says that the Koriko Tin-on-Tin Boston Shaker has been my favorite for 10-12 years. It chills faster, has a better seal that glass-on-tin, and doesn’t stick as easily as the Cobbler.

A cobbler shaker consists of three parts: a tin with a built in strainer and a top. This is a popular choice for home bartenders because of its simplicity. However, professional bartenders will tell you that the top can leak and be difficult to remove once chilled. It makes it inefficient for busy services. Lockman claims it is a Parisian shaker without the cap.

Here are the top bartenders sharing their top picks for the best gold cocktail shakers.

Cocktail Kingdom Koriko Shaking Tins are the Best Overall

Pros

  • Durable
  • Seal tight
  • Available in a variety of finishes
  • It is easy to grasp

Cons

  • It can be difficult to learn at first

Cameron Shaw, a bar specialist at New York’s Lot15, explains that the Cocktail Kingdom Koriko-weighted tins “are very nearly the industry benchmark for a reason.” He is located in the back of The Kixby Hotel. They are strong and durable. The thin walls of the Tins make it easy to seal the contents when double shaking.

The tins (large and small), hold two drinks each and are made of weighted stainless. You can choose a traditional silver or a sleeker rose, gold, or black tin. Nate Fishman is a Santera Tequila brand ambassador, and a bartender in Liquor Lab. He loves the brand. “Koriko makes really smooth products that feel lighter and easier to hold.”

Good to know:

Amy Wong of Portland’s King Tide Fish & Shell notes that these tins are a popular choice in the industry, but they can take some time to get used too. She says that although they can be difficult to seal for the first few times, this means that they will last longer. It’s similar to breaking in leather shoes. They are difficult and painful at first but eventually mold and you will never buy another pair.

Runner-Up, Best Overall: OXO Good Grips Cocktail Shaker

Pros

  • Seal tight
  • Strainer built-in
  • Dishwasher safe

OXO’s Good Grips Cocktail shaker is perfect for home entertainers. This cocktail shaker is easy to use and requires no experience behind the bar.

The shaker is made up of a 24-ounce stainless-steel cocktail shaker, a straining cover, and a cap. It also includes a built in jigger that can be marked with 1- or 2-ounce pours. Two silicone seals make sure there are no spills or slips throughout the entire shake. You can juice or mix herbs in the shaker with the built-in strainer. The lid features a smooth-release design that allows you to easily remove it when you’re done shaking. Once you’re done shaking your drink, just take the shaker apart and put it in the dishwasher.

Cocktail Kingdom Leopold Shaking Tins are the best for professionals

Pros

  • It is simple to use
  • Stackable
  • Available in a variety of sizes
  • Dishwasher safe

Cocktail Kingdom’s Leopold Weighted Cocktail Shaking Tins are best suited to professionals. Isabella Marriott, head bartender at Brooklyn’s Bar Beau, says that they are her favorite choice because it is so simple to open and close. She says that stacking them is a great option, as you don’t have to worry about one slipping into the other.

These tins come in standard sizes of 18 and 28 ounces and are made from commercial- and home-safe stainless steel. These Boston shakers should not be used by novice bartenders. You will need to feel how the shaker feels in your hands to seal them and prevent spillages. Boston shakers are easier to clean than average cobbler shakers. There are fewer places to scrub making them ideal for fast-paced bars.

Best Leakproof: Rabbit Twist-to-Lock Cocktail Shaker

Pros

  • Great for beginners
  • Strainer built-in
  • Double-walled

Cons

  • Only one size

This Rabbit cocktail shaker makes it easy for beginners. This shaker has a strainer and tin as well as a lid. To make a cocktail, flip the lid. The cup’s top has measuring lines that allow you to easily create cocktails in the shaker. To reveal the integrated strainer, lift open the lid.

The bayonet lid fits snugly on the 18-ounce tin and allows you to mix up cocktails as vigorously or as little as you like. The double-walled stainless-steel container allows drinks to cool quickly and keeps the outside warm. The twist-on lid makes it easy to remove frozen lids. The cocktail shaker also has a reamer attachment that allows you to juice citrus straight into the tin.

Cocktail Kingdom Coley Shaker: The Best Luxury

Pros

  • Durable
  • Finish in silver
  • Simple separation

Escalante says, “For the home lover,” she loves the Coley shaker’s design and construction. It will do the job well and add some style to your home bar.

The design was inspired by the private collections of cocktail historians Greg Boehm and David Wondrich. However, the name is a tribute to Ada Coleman, a pioneering female bartender at the turn of this century. The 18-ounce capacity of the two-piece cocktail shaker has been also meticulously manufactured. Escalante says that although the Coley is a little more expensive than brands we use every day, it all comes down to design and construction. “Not to mention the silver-plated finish, which will certainly impress those you intend to entertain.”

Best Set: Fortessa Crafthouse Cocktail set

Pros

  • Durable
  • Parts that are dishwasher-safe
  • Well-crafted wooden muddler

Cons

  • Muddler must be washed by hand

This high-quality cocktail set by Crafthouse by Fortessa will help you take your bartending skills up a notch This four-piece set was designed by Charles Joly, a renowned bartender. It includes a Boston shaker, two-ounce jigger and Hawthorne strainer. The stainless steel 15-ounce shaker and strainer are dishwasher-safe. The jigger, strainer, and jigger can be washed by the dishwasher. While the rich black walnut 11.5-inch Muddler can be washed by hand.

Barfly Basics Cocktail Set: Best Weighted

Pros

  • Durable
  • Affordable
  • Available in a variety of finishes

Nate Fishman’s go-to cocktail shaker is the two-piece Boston Shaker from Barfly.

The set includes a 18- and 28 ounce shaker set as well as a Japanese-style Jigger with an elongated design to provide smooth, easy pours. Each jigger comes with a dual-side pourer and an ounce. You will also find a 13-inch teardrop-end bar spoon, and a Hawthorn strainer. These are all you need to make a few cocktails.

Good to know:

You should look for tins that have weights attached to them. Eric Hobbie, head bartender for Las Vegas’ CliQue Hospitality, says that “Shaking” can cause damage to your joints and tendons over the years.

Pina Commercial Boston Tin Set is the best for bar use

Pros

  • Durable
  • Simple separation
  • Available in a variety of sizes
  • Affordable

Cons

  • It can be difficult to separate

Anthony Escalante, a bar manager at the Wrigley House in Phoenix, says that “I really like to use the Pina Commercial Boston Tin Set” The set’s solid construction gives it a heavy weight and allows for easy separation. He says that the tins are heavier than traditional sets because they are made of heavier, more-graded steel.

Ali Adkins, a bartender at the Stanley in Charlotte N.C., agrees that pina cocktail shakers “are hands down best”

The Best For Pros: A Bar Above copper Boston Shaker Set

Pros

  • Durable
  • Available in a variety of weights
  • Made from food-grade stainless Steel

Deena Sayers is a beverage strategist at Dona Vega Mezcal. “A Bar Above began as an incredibly informative podcast about drinks,” she says. “Now they have a fantastic range of bar tools which I’ve fallen in love with.”

Tom Levron was formerly a bartender in Carlsbad at The Beekeeper Bar. He particularly likes the Boston shakers. These shakers are not welded in three places like other shakers. They are stronger and last longer. They are also priced competitively with high-end shakers.

Sayers points out that there are two types of these shakers: unweighted or weighted. The weighted option is best for those who are a flair bartender and shake cocktails hard. It won’t cause any spillage during your cocktail-making skills. You might choose the weighted/unweighted combo if you are a speed-oriented bartender, a home enthusiast, or have trouble popping the tin after you have finished shaking.

Most Stylish: Rabbit RBT Cocktail Shaker

Pros

  • Built-in jigger
  • Measurement lines for features
  • Double-walled

Look no further if you are looking for a shaker with both style and function, Rabbit’s iconic cocktail shaker features a modern, sleek design made of matte black stainless steel and a gold lid. This elegant form can also be used for functional purposes: remove the gold lid and reveal a built in jigger with a 1.5-ounce measurement. A smartly designed integrated reamer is also included under the lid for juicing citrus.

This shaker measures 9.3 inches high and holds 22 ounces. The double-walled design keeps your hands warm while shaking. It is important to wash the shaker by hand, as it can be used to make cocktails for large groups. This shaker looks great atop a bar cart.

Final Verdict

Koriko’s Weighted Shakers can be used by more experienced mixologists. OXO’s Good Grips Cocktail Shaker makes it easy to make drinks at home or to prepare cocktails.

FAQ

What are the various types of cocktail shakers available?

There are many types of Shakers, but Boston and cobbler reign supreme. Cobbler, which is a popular household favourite, is made up three parts: a tin and a cap.

A Boston shaker is a favorite of professional bartenders. These shakers are made up of two 12-ounce or 28-ounce glass or metal mixing tins. They provide ample space for ice and drink and a tight natural seal.

How do you use a cocktail stirrer?

Start by filling your shaker in the order that you want your cocktails to be served. Next, add a large amount of ice to the container. The faster the drink will dissolve, the less you need.

If you are using a cobbler shaker to mix the ingredients, add the lid. Seal your tins if you are using a Boston shaker. The tins should be shaken vigorously until they have become frosted and feel cool to the touch. This usually takes around 15 seconds or more if you are using egg whites. Strain to get rid of any ice chunks, herbs, or citrus seeds.

How can you stop cocktail shakers leaking?

It will depend on how good your shaker is. A well-made shaker tin will automatically create a tight seal. To tighten the seal when using a Boston shaker, you can use your heel to close it.

What to look for

Capacity

There are many sizes of shakers, from single-serving to large-sized. A small 12-ounce shaker is sufficient for a single person. A shaker that holds more than 28 ounces is best if you are making cocktails for friends. This will allow you to make multiple cocktails simultaneously, saving you time.

Material

A shaker’s material is critical. Your shaker should last a long time. Low-quality metals can rust, tarnish and chip. Stainless steel of higher quality is best as it will not rust or tarnish after many years of shaking.

Avoid putting your shakers in the dishwasher for too long. The steam can cause rust and corrosion. Instead, wash them by hand. Avoid glass shakers if you work in a high volume bar or have a bad case o the butterfinger.

Weight

A shaker that is weighted is the best choice for bartenders. A weighted shaker will give one tin more weight than the other. This creates a tighter seal, and rigidity. This is the real benefit: after a night of shaking cocktails, a weighted shaking shaker is much easier on your arms.