How to Choose a Cocktail Shaker Set

Everyone’s favourite piece of barware must be the cocktail shaker set – synonymous with bartending, cocktails and class. If you’re just starting to collect home barware, the cocktail shaker set is always your first purchase, after the alcohol! What style should you pick? What is the difference? How do they work?

 

History of the Cocktail Shaker

The 19th century gave us the cocktail shaker set we use now. Although there have been some variations, each style is centred around the same idea: a metal container for mixing ingredients, out of which a shaken cocktail emerges.

 

The Three Most Popular Cocktail Shaker Sets

Cobbler, Boston or French – these are the most common cocktail shaker sets out there today, made up of two or three pieces of stainless steel or glass. They all more or less work the same way, so your choice largely depends on your personal preference and style.

 

The Boston Shaker

Our personal favourite as bartenders. The Boston consists of only two pieces – one glass or metal holder in which to put all the ingredients and a larger metal piece which you bang on top. Turn the whole thing over and shake, shake, shake. The can holds a generous dose of liquid, helping you spend more time enjoying the drinks than making them. The only hard part about using this one is that you need practice separating the two pieces. You need to give the one side (where one tin meets the other) a good hard knock with the base of your palm until it opens.

 

The Cobbler Shaker

The Cobbler Shaker looks a bit more old-fashioned but is just as easy to use as its Bostonian cousin. This three-piece weapon is made up of a large metal tin, a lid with a built-in strainer, and a cap. Throw everything in at once and then pour. It’s slightly less cool than the modern Boston Shaker, and takes a little longer for the cocktail to emerge, but anticipation is the purest form of pleasure!

 

The French Cocktail Shaker

Also known as the Parisian Shaker, the French Shaker is the most stylish of them all. Shake cocktails to perfection with this sleek two-piece. This shaker might be more style over substance, but it does the trick! Plunk everything in and shake. Good for beginners and those who don’t mind using a strainer.


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