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A cocktail shaker is an absolute essential whether you’re on the hunt for a great bartender gift or looking to shake up a mixed drink at home. Ever try to incorporate the lime juice into a homemade margarita or get the perfect layer of foam atop an espresso martini without one? Not easy.
The Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab teamed up with the Test Kitchen to create a list of expert-recommended cocktail shakers. Both GH teams assess a wide variety of cocktail gear and cool kitchen gadgets all year long as we test products and develop recipes, including bartending kits, glassware and so much more. (Peep some top picks in our annual Kitchen Gear Awards.)
To find our favorite cocktail shakers, we evaluated popular and highly-rated models that appeal to a variety of tastes and needs, whether you’re looking for a Boston shaker, a cobbler shaker, a cocktail shaker set or just something striking (yet functional!) to add to your bar cart.
After our top picks, keep reading to learn what to look for when shopping for a cocktail shaker and how to use your new bartending gear when it arrives.
Sometimes, simple is best. That’s what you get from this basic yet highly functional Boston shaker — the preferred shaker style of many professional bartenders. This streamlined and durable shaker from Cocktail Kingdom can churn out drinks quickly thanks to its simple, sturdy and easy-to-clean design. Both tins are weighted, which adds heft and creates a more secure seal than lighter tins. Even better? It's easier on your arms — the weight of the shaker means you don't have to shake as vigorously to incorporate your ingredients. In our testing, we found those with smaller hands preferred this product over others, as it wasn’t overly large or heavy. The small tin easily fit into the larger one and we found they were easy to separate after shaking. Just note, they are sold separately so you will have to purchase the small weighted shaking tin to complete your set.
This sleek shaker is solidly constructed and stylish at a budget-friendly price. With a 24-ounce capacity, it can hold 2 drinks at a time, and it has a handy maximum fill line to prevent overfilling. The tins aren't weighted, but according to reviewers, they seal together nicely and do not leak as you shake. And while Boston shakers are already easy to clean by hand, the brand says these are dishwasher-safe which makes clean-up even easier. If you're looking to switch from a cobbler shaker to a Boston shaker for a more professional feel and experience, this one is a great starter option.
If you prefer your cocktail-making gear in one compact package, an all-in-one cobbler shaker like this one might be for you. The cap is a measuring cup (a.k.a. a jigger) that marks every 1/2 ounce up to 1 1/2 ounces —which is what most pros consider a shot — and there is a built-in strainer in the lid. The lid is easy to attach and separate, and two silicone gaskets create a leak-proof seal. "It's comfortable to hold and easy to shake with one hand," says Nicole Papantoniou, director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab. "I never have to worry about it leaking because it has a tight seal and the lid attaches securely." The brand also claims it's dishwasher-safe.
According to the brand, a "hybrid shaker" doesn't fit into the mold of the typical Boston or cobbler shaker. Unlike a traditional three-piece cobbler shaker, this one comes with a high-capacity measuring cap (up to 6 ounces) and is made from double-walled 304 stainless steel, which is known to be resistant to corrosion and rust. It also has a more slender design than most cobbler shakers, making it easier to grip. The double-walled vacuum insulation helps prevent over-dilution of your drinks because the ice won't melt as quickly inside the shaker. It's also helpful for people with cold hands, as the frosty temps inside the shaker won't transfer as quickly to the outer walls of the shaker. Unlike Boston shakers, which can be tricky to open, this one is as easy as unscrewing a top.
If you're looking for more than just a shaker and need everything to complete your at-home mixology set, our best overall bartending kit — which comes in copper, silver and black — has you covered. In addition to a cocktail shaker, it contains a long-handled spoon for stirring, two liquor pourers to help ensure a mess-free stream and a bottle opener, which most other bartending kits we evaluated did not have. Plus, the compact wood stand keeps everything organized and will look stylish on a bar cart. It comes with 10 pieces including a jigger, muddler, strainer and more, but we wish it also had a mixing glass. It's not a deal breaker, since another glass could be substituted in its place.
Since a cocktail shaker can be the center of your entertaining, it's important to have one that matches your personality and style. With an etched art deco-inspired design and unique, straight-edged cylindrical shape, this three-piece cobbler shaker makes any cocktail-making experience a bit more elegant. Like most cobbler shakers, it comes with a metal tin, cap and built-in strainer. The eye-catching, electroplated gold finish turns it into a gift-worthy pick that's just under $50 — ideal for a housewarming or host present (or treat for yourself!). If you love Prohibition-era cocktails like a gin rickey or a sidecar, why not pick up a cocktail shaker that matches the drink?
Our petite pick of the bunch, this one is perfect for taking outside — for a beach day, camping trip or just a backyard party. "It's smaller than other Boston shakers I've tried and can be used with one hand," says Papantoniou. "The top portion fits into the base smoothly and the brushed material feels comfortable in my palm. The interior of the cups is pretty with a prism-like design." No need to bring an extra cup, because the smaller tin can be used for shaking as well as drinking. This shaker also comes in a velvety storage bag, perfect for popping into your suitcase or picnic basket. Doesn't work like it says it should? No problem — the brand offers a lifetime warranty.
While bartenders might not pick this pretty shaker (extra design elements don't necessarily maximize speed), it's wonderful for the at-home mixologist. It has many of the features of our top pick, like weighted tins designed to seal tightly, plus it has a footed base that adds interest and might even prevent accidental tip-overs. In our testing, we also found that the ridged rings around the base of each tin help you keep your grip as you shake. Pretty and practical!
In need of more gear? You can pick up this shaker as part of a cocktail-making set.
First-timer? Check out this easy-to-use model with a twist-to-lock lid that's unique and useful. That extra seal is an added safeguard against leaks, and the angled spout on the cocktail strainer is designed for more precise pouring. Double-walled stainless steel helps to keep hands warm (and drinks cold!) as you shake, so you'll come out looking like a pro even if you've never mixed a drink before. Cheers to that!
The Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen and Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab chose the best cocktail shakers using their research, expert opinions and decades of experience shaking up cocktails to inform their picks. We chose a variety of Boston shakers, cobbler shakers and cocktail shakers that included unique features like an included cap with liquid measurements, extra grips for your hands, interesting design elements or special seals to help prevent leaks. Testers shook up some picks to see how quickly they chilled a drink or if they leaked in the process and to assess their overall ease of use, among other criteria.
✔️ Type: There are three main types of cocktail shakers: Boston, cobbler and Parisian/French. Boston shakers consist of two metal tins that fit into one another. This creates a tight seal, but they can be tricky to open and you’ll need a separate strainer to serve your cocktail. Cobbler shakers include a metal tin, a built-in strainer and a cap. They’re easier to use but don't always seal as tightly as a Boston shaker which could lead to leaks. The design of a Parisian shaker is in between: It’s shaped like a cobbler shaker but doesn’t have a strainer or cap. This type is stylish but harder to find.
✔️ Material: Most modern cocktail shakers (and all of the ones on this list) are made of stainless steel — either brushed or polished. We’ve seen some plastic and glass models, but prefer steel for its weight and durability. You can also look for “double-walled” options, which are constructed of two stainless steel walls separated by air. This helps insulate the cup, keeping frosty temps inside and avoiding frozen hands as you shake.
✔️ Capacity: Most cocktail shakers can hold 12 to 28 ounces of liquid. Choose a smaller option for shaking up a single cocktail or something larger if you plan to entertain and need to make multiple drinks at once.
✔️ Weight and width: While heavier cocktail shakers (up to 1 ½ lbs.) have the potential to be sturdier, lighter models (under 1 lb.) might be preferable if you have smaller hands. Check out the diameter of the tin to make sure you can fit your fingers around it.
✔️ Special features: The most basic cocktail shakers are simple metal tins but some offer features like a max fill line to avoid overflows, integrated measurements so you can see how much of each ingredient you’re pouring and non-slip grips on the side. While these aren’t necessary elements, they can be nice to have.
Samantha MacAvoy is the editorial assistant in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, where she writes about tasty food and drink recipes, must-try products and top-tested secrets for home cooking success. She tested several cocktail shakers side-by-side and, in her free time, is an avid home bartender. To produce this story, she consulted with Nicole Papantoniou, the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, and Kate Merker, the Chief Food Director of the Hearst Lifestyle Group.