Cocktail shaker next to stirring spoon and tongs.

The 3 Types Of Cocktail Shakers Home Bartenders Need To Know

NEWS

By HENNA BAKSHI

Copper cocktail shaker next to glass of cocktail.
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.
Person using cocktail shaker in kitchen.
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.
Bartender pouring cocktail from shaker into glass.
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.
An all-metal Boston shaker next to jiggers.
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.
Glasses of whiskey sour on counter.
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.
Bartender using a Cobbler cocktail shaker.
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.
A glass of sherry cobbler.
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.
Viski's French cocktail shaker next to its box.
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.
A glass of French 75.
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.