The 3 Types Of Cocktail Shakers Home Bartenders Need To Know

Cocktail shakers are typically made of stainless steel, glass, copper, or a combination of metal and glass, and each type has certain advantages and disadvantages.

Stainless steel ones are durable, easy to clean, and offer good insulation for chilling drinks fast. Glass shakers provide visibility but have a higher tendency to leak or break.

The Boston, Cobbler, and French or Parisian shakers are the most used ones. Your skill, comfort, drink of choice, and the shaker’s straining ability should dictate your pick.

The Boston shaker features a metal tin and a mixing glass, which give it a good chilling ability and a clear view of the ingredients. It creates a good seal and is easy to clean.

The shaker works best for frothy shaken cocktails like margaritas and whiskey sours. However, it can be hard to open post-shaking and doesn’t have a strainer.

The Cobbler is a three-piece shaker with a built-in strainer and a cap. The cap keeps the drink from spilling and can be used to measure out alcohol, but it sometimes gets stuck.

Although the strainer makes the shaker hard to clean, it works really well for drinks with large herbs and ones that don’t require heavy shaking — like mojitos and sherry cobblers.

Lastly, the French shaker has a metal tin and a tulip-shaped metal cap but no strainer. It offers a good seal, is easy to clean, and is less prone to leakage than a Boston shaker.

The French shaker is best suited for chilled and delicate cocktails that require a stir more than a shake. For example, a dirty martini or a French 75 will work well with this one.