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Best Cocktail Shakers

Updated October 2023
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Elevated Craft Hybrid Cocktail Shaker
Elevated Craft
Hybrid Cocktail Shaker
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Most Versatile
Bottom Line

This Elevated shaker is a full-service device that makes cocktails easier than ever to create.

Pros

It’s vacuum-insulated to help chill drinks and keep everything cold without freezing your hands. The lid has multiple measuring marks so you don’t have to dirty anything else. The top is leakproof, and it has a built-in strainer.

Cons

Some found opening and closing it can be a little tricky as it’s tight.

Best Bang for the Buck
CRESIMO 24-Ounce Cocktail Shaker Bar Set
CRESIMO
24-Ounce Cocktail Shaker Bar Set
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Straightforward Design
Bottom Line

In spite of a few concerns, it's a popular pick for its straightforward and spacious design at an affordable price.

Pros

A 24-ounce shaker with an accessory kit that includes a mixing spoon, measuring jigger, and recipe book—all for a surprisingly low price.

Cons

Some issues with the lid have been reported, including minor leaks.

OXO Stainless Steel Single-Wall Cocktail Shaker
OXO
Stainless Steel Single-Wall Cocktail Shaker
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Trusted Brand
Bottom Line

A classic piece with a user-friendly design that isn't the most durable option, but will do for occasional cocktail mixing.

Pros

Simple yet sleek design with a generous 24-ounce capacity. Included jigger has easy-to-read measurements for making perfect cocktails.

Cons

Single-wall construction. Some reports of leaks and rust build-up.

BF Systems 5-Piece Cocktail Shaker Set
BF Systems
5-Piece Cocktail Shaker Set
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Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

If you frequently rely on precise measurement indicators, it's best to look elsewhere for a product that actually provides measurements.

Pros

Generates enthusiasm among those who want a fully equipped bar set, as it comes with pieces such as a strainer and double jigger.

Cons

Measuring jigger lacks any sort of measurement indication, leaving users to figure out measurements themselves.

Simple Modern Cocktail Shaker Set
Simple Modern
Cocktail Shaker Set
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Most Stylish
Bottom Line

This classic Boston shaker comes in 20 styles, including copper and midnight matte black.

Pros

It doesn’t condense on the outside, so there’s no risk of slipping. It’s also leakproof, and the lid doubles as a jigger. It’s dishwasher-safe, and the lid has a built-in strainer. It has double-wall insulation.

Cons

Some had issues with the strainer piece falling out.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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Consumers
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Buying guide for Best cocktail shakers

Whether your drink is a martini (shaken, not stirred), a manhattan, or a mint julep, you'll need a cocktail shaker if you want to enjoy it at home. The world of cocktails can seem a bit baffling to an outsider, but once you know your cobbler from your cointreau, you'll realize you don't have to be a professional bartender to make a decent daiquiri.

But how do you find the best cocktail shaker to make your dreams a reality? 

Types of cocktail shakers

Boston shaker

A Boston shaker is comprised of two parts: a tin and a glass. Professional bartenders typically favor Boston shakers.

  • Pros: Easy to clean, plenty of inexpensive options available, compact to store, looks impressive once you know how to use it properly.

  • Cons: Breakable glass portion, harder to use than a cobbler shaker, requires a separate strainer.

  • Price: Usually between $10 and $50.

Cobbler shaker

Cobbler shakers are also known as three-piece shakers, as they're made up of three parts: a tin, a strainer, and a lid.

  • Pros: Easy to use, no need for a separate strainer, readily available in most stores that sell housewares, offered in a wide range of sizes, stylish.

  • Cons: Built-in strainer can be tricky to clean, sometimes hard to open, slower to use than Boston shakers.

  • Price: Roughly $15 to $50 for an average model; high-end options can cost $100 to $200.

Parisian shaker

A Parisian shaker, or "French Shaker," is somewhere between a Boston and a Cobbler. It looks similar to a Cobbler shaker with a tightly fitting metal top and bottom, but like a Boston strainer, it only has a two-part construction. In the U.S., Parisian shakers aren't particularly common.

  • Pros: Attractive, easier to open than a Cobbler shaker, easy to clean.

  • Cons: Hard to find, requires a separate strainer.

  • Price: Anywhere between $20 and $100, depending on the quality.

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For your safety
Avoid Cobbler shakers that have a curved lip around the strainer, as this can cause drips and is more awkward to clean.
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Considerations

Size

Cocktail shakers come in a range of sizes, usually measured in ounces. Small shakers of eight or 10 ounces are designed to make a single drink; 60-ounce shakers are designed for service at a large party.

Think about how many drinks you generally want to make and choose accordingly. If you're unsure, 24-ounce model may be a good option. You can make two to three drinks in it, yet it's still a manageable size for most people.

Weight

Consider the weight of your chosen cocktail shaker, and make sure it's not too heavy for you. This is especially important if you plan to do showy tricks while mixing drinks. That said, a slightly heavier weight can be a good thing. Some Boston cocktail shakers have weighted tins which can improve the seal between the tin and the glass, making leakage less likely. Some people also find it's easier to perform tin stalls and spins with a weighted shaker.

Material

The majority of cocktail shakers are made from metal – usually stainless steel since it's easy to clean and doesn't rust. However, some cheaper models are made from plastic. Boston shakers usually have a metal tin and a smaller glass that fits inside, but some models use a smaller second tin in place of the glass.

A person shaking a cocktail
Some cocktail shakers are attractively designed, whereas others favor function over form. If you're buying a shaker to sit on a home bar for everyone to see, you can get a stylish option.

FAQ

Q. Should I buy a cocktail shaker that comes with a range of accessories?

A. Some cocktail shakers are sold as a set complete with an array of accessories, such as spoons, ice tongs, jiggers, strainers, and muddlers. Whether or not you should buy a shaker with accessories depends on how serious you are about cocktails and whether you already own the accessories. If you'll only be making the occasional cocktail, you don't need a huge number of accessories. On the other hand, if you plan to learn to make cocktails like a pro, you'll need a wide range of accessories.

Q. Which type of cocktail shaker is best for a beginner?

A. If you're new to making cocktails, the simplest type of shaker to use is the Cobbler shaker. With a strong seal between the tin and lid and a built-in strainer, it's as simple as putting your ingredients inside, giving them a shake, and pouring them out again.

Q. Where can I find cocktail recipes?

A. There's no point owning a cocktail shaker if you don't know any drink recipes. You can find a wide range of books and websites dedicated to cocktail recipes.