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The 7 Best Cocktail Shakers of 2024

From Boston shakers to cobbler style, we put these top tools to the test

Various Styles of Cocktail Shaker Strainers

The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

A great cocktail shaker is the key to unlocking a world of drinks. Martinis, mojitos, piña coladas, margaritas, and more call for one. But here's the thing: There are tons of shakers on the market today and they come in all different shapes and sizes—the two main styles being cobbler and Boston. 

For those who may not be familiar with the different types of shakers, the cobbler variety is a household favorite made of three parts: a tin, cap, and built-in strainer for keeping dirty ice, fruit chunks, and other extraneous ingredients out of your drink. Oftentimes, the cap even doubles as a jigger, measuring 1 fluid ounce, which is equal to one shot. Typically made from tin, stainless steel, or glass, having a cobbler shaker around adds cocktail credentials to your bar cart.

The Boston shaker, on the other hand, is preferred by professional mixologists. A set consists of 12- and 28-ounce mixing tins (either glass or tin) that create a natural seal when fit together. This mixes drinks much faster and is easier to clean, although it does require more skill and accessories, such as a strainer, which must be purchased separately. 

In order to help you find the right cocktail shaker for your home bar needs, we took the top-rated brands and sent them to at-home testers to evaluate each one on its design, ease of use, performance, ease of cleaning, and overall value.

Best Overall

Cocktail Kingdom Leopold Weighted Shaking Tin Set

Cocktail Kingdom Leopold Weighted Shaking Tin Set

Amazon

What We Like
  • Bartender-approved

  • Weighted

  • High-quality finish

What We Don't Like
  • May be tricky for beginners

  • Can be slippery when wet

The interesting thing about this shaker set is that it’s weighted. This makes it feel more stable and secure in your hands, making it less likely to slip when you’re shaking it. Plus, the shaker snaps open and shut without a lot of pressure—no need to worry about the shakers getting stuck together. Fans love the high quality, plus it cleans up in a snap. When you’re done making cocktails, you can wash them in the dishwasher. Then, the small cup stacks inside the big cup for easy storage. 

Jonathan Stanyard, a bartender at Seattle’s Feast, swears by this cocktail shaker. He says, "It's classic metal on metal, helping to cool the cocktail quicker, and has a weighted bottom with a little rim, which helps with the grip."

Anthony Escalante, the bar manager at Wrigley Mansion in Phoenix, agrees. He says, "This tin is a front-runner. It’s reliable, and one of the most popular brands in the bartending world."

We second all of these insights, but beware, as it’s not a shaker for a beginner. It takes time to work with a shaker like this and understand how to properly seal and shake. We also appreciate how easy it is to clean all of Cocktail Kingdom’s shakers.

Cocktail Kingdom Leopold Weighted Shaking Tin Set

The Spruce Eats / Kristin Stangl

Type: Boston | Material: Stainless steel with gold plating | Size: 18- and 28-ounce cups | Capacity: 2 drinks | Dishwasher-Safe? Yes

Runner-Up, Best Overall

Cocktail Kingdom Koriko Weighted Shaking Tins

Cocktail Kingdom Set of Koriko Weighted Shaking Tins

Cocktail Kingdom

What We Like
  • Loved by bartenders

  • Super durable

  • Good insulation

  • Easy to clean

What We Don't Like
  • Not easy for beginners to pick up

The Koriko shaker from Cocktail Kingdom features two weighted tins that fit inside each other to form a tight seal. One tin, the one you make your drinks in, holds 28 ounces while the smaller one holds 18 ounces. You'll have to purchase a Hawthorne or Julep strainer separately. You can mix enough for two cocktails in these tins, and when you’re done, they're dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup. We found that they’re also incredibly lightweight, so you’re not putting too much pressure on your joints—essential if you’ve got a long night of cocktail-making ahead of you! That’s why you’ll see this set behind every cocktail bar in the country.

Did we mention that they're also super durable? Jeremy Powers, a bartender at City Club in Raleigh, North Carolina, says, "I once saw a bartender drop both of the cocktails he was shaking. Lucky for him, both shaker sets were Koriko. Neither lost their seal or spilled a drop, even after bouncing on the floor. I've never used anything else since."

We like that these are thin and lightweight yet incredibly durable. The seal forms well and stays tight through shaking, and the weighted ends ensure your arms feel less tired after a good shake. The capacity is generous and the outside of the shaker is easy to grip.

Type: Boston | Material: Stainless steel | Size: 18- and 28-ounce cups | Capacity: 2 drinks | Dishwasher-Safe? Yes

Best Double-Walled

OXO Good Grips Cocktail Shaker

OXO Good Grips Cocktail Shaker,Gray

Amazon

What We Like
  • Double-walled finish keeps drinks cold

  • Coated in non-slip material

What We Don't Like
  • Hand-wash only

  • Seasoned bartenders may find this clunky

OXO is known for making above-par kitchenware, so it’s no surprise its cocktail shaker is top-notch. Note the signature finish: Non-slip plastic coating smartly placed anywhere you’re likely to grip, twist, or squeeze. (We enjoyed the fact that you can drop this or knock it over and never worry about a spill or it breaking.) The entire top half of the cocktail shaker is covered in the material, so you can close, shake, and open it again with ease. 

Unlike the majority of cocktail shakers available, this one has a double-walled finish, so cocktails stay chilled and ice melts slower, even if you let your freshly shaken cocktail sit in the vessel for a bit. The double-walled construction keeps the heat of your hands away from your cool drink. Yet, it is lightweight and comfortable to hold and shake. This unit is intuitive to use and easy to clean.

Another smart feature is the jigger cap, which features indentations that measure out 3/4, 1, and 1.5 ounces. Keep in mind this shaker is hand wash only.

Type: Cobbler | Material: Double-walled plastic, | Size: 3.2 x 3.4 x 9.1 inches | Capacity: 16 ounces | Dishwasher-Safe? No

Best Copper

Kotai Copper Cocktail Boston Shaker Set

Kotai Boston Shaker

Amazon

What We Like
  • Incredibly stylish

  • Super durable

What We Don't Like
  • Strainer purchased separately

If you’re looking for a workhorse and still-suave set, Kotai’s copper option certainly fits the bill. The attractive set comes with one 28-ounce copper-plated sturdy stainless steel tin and one 16-ounce glass with a tempered rim for extra durability. That tempered rim means the glass was heated and cooled to give it a strong, durable finish that won't crack or shatter. We second this—we found it sealed tightly and felt durable to use. 

If you’re a fan of delicious Moscow mules, display this shaker alongside the drink’s distinctive copper mugs. All you need is vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice, and you'll be on your way to a good time. For mojitos, because the shaker is made from transparent glass, you can see what you’re muddling.

The tin is made from 18/8 stainless steel and finished without seams for a stylish, streamlined look. We love that this copper does scratch quite easily, so care needs to be taken when storing and using. A strainer must be purchased separately.

Type: Boston | Material: Copper-plated stainless steel, rim-tempered glass | Size: 7.09 x 4.69 x 3.9 inches | Capacity: 16- and 28-ounce cups | Dishwasher-Safe? No

Best Style

Georg Jensen Sky Cocktail Shaker

Sky Cocktail Shaker

Horchow

What We Like
  • Bold design

  • Easy to hold

  • Perfect for cold martinis

What We Don't Like
  • Only fits about one drink

"While I will always be a fan of a cobbler shaker and love my mixing glass, I will always default to using a Parisian shaker," says "Ghostbusters" director and founder of Artingstall’s Brilliant London Dry Gin Paul Feig. "To me, it’s the best combination of a Boston shaker and a cobbler. You get the solid seal of a cobbler—even better, sometimes, since I have several cobblers that leak when you shake aggressively—and the extra distance between top and bottom results in a great mix when you give it a good shake. It’s also simply the most elegant looking of all shakers and fits comfortably in your hands."

Georg Jensen’s Parisian shaker is one of the most handsome options on the market, with a unique asymmetrical design and a polished stainless steel finish. The set comes with an equally as smart double-sided jigger and stir spoon. The jigger’s two ends have 2- and 1-ounce pourers. We are fervent martini fans, and found that this perfectly holds one super-chilled martini. It’s not quite large enough for two, but it’s an outstanding option for having a solo, super-chic drink.

Type: Boston | Material: Copper-plated stainless steel, rim-tempered glass | Size: 7.09 x 4.69 x 3.9 inches | Capacity: 16- and 28-ounce cups | Dishwasher-Safe? No

Best Glass

Rabbit 18 Ounce Glass Cocktail Shaker

Rabbit 18 Ounce Glass Cocktail Shaker

Amazon

What We Like
  • Silicone leak-proof lid

  • Measured cocktail shaker

  • Silicone base

What We Don't Like
  • Cap is tough to remove

One of the biggest benefits of Rabbit’s designs is they take tried-and-true classic products and give them a smart update. Case in point: this glass Boston shaker that doesn’t stray from the well-loved lid-and-shaking tin design, but adds in a silicone base to ensure the shaker doesn’t slip when you place it on a surface (especially a sticky bar or a slipper countertop). Instead of trying to tug off the lid of the shaker, there’s a smart silicone seal that keeps the lid on and it makes it easy to pop off when you need it. (That said, the cap of the lid is slightly difficult to get off if you have limited arm strength or mobility.)

The glass container doubles as a measuring tin so you can build one, two, or three cocktails in one tin without breaking out the jigger, though the cap doubles as a 1.5-ounce jigger. Other assets: a dishwasher-safe construction and a rust-proof stainless steel lid.

Type: Boston | Material: Silicone, glass, stainless steel | Size: 9.29 x 4.06 x 3.98 inches | Capacity: 18 ounces | Dishwasher-Safe? No

Best Cobbler Shaker

Rabbit Stainless Steel Cocktail Shaker

Rabbit Stainless Steel Cocktail Shaker

Amazon

What We Like
  • Silicone grip

  • Lightweight construction

  • Perfect for two drinks

What We Don't Like
  • Hand wash only

If you’re eying a cobbler shaker, this option is an easy pick. It’s lightweight but still sturdy, thanks to durable stainless steel construction. (RBT is a barware brand first and foremost, so expect built-to-withstand construction.) 

There are plenty of smart details in this shaker, like an exterior silicone grip to ensure the shaker doesn’t slip out of your hand and a slotted strainer that prevents lemon seeds or loose mint from falling into your drink. Instead of yanking off a pressure-sealed lid, silicone threads and gaskets allow you to twist off the top with ease (though it still takes some muscling to remove the cap). These sturdy silicone grips also allow you to shake up a drink with one hand.

While all of those make cocktails an easy feat, the one grievance is that this shaker is hand wash-only even though the brand's website says it is dishwasher safe. There is clear lettering etched into the bottom of the shaker that says "do not dishwash".

Type: Cobbler | Material: Silicone, stainless steel | Size: 9.37 x 4.53 x 4.37 inches | Capacity: 18 ounces | Dishwasher-Safe? No

Final Verdict

We think every bar cart should be equipped with the chic and affordable Cocktail Kingdom Leopold Weighted Shaking Tin Set. But if you are looking for durability over style, the OXO Good Grips Cocktail Shaker is double-walled and virtually slip-proof.

How We Tested

Our real-world testers put a total of 20 top-rated cocktail shakers to the home test, looking at features like design, ease of use, performance, ease of cleaning, and value. Our testers put their shakers through a variety of tests to determine which one performed the best on a range of levels. These included dry shaking, shaking for extended periods of time with ice, looking for leaks, straining into cocktail glasses, cleaning, and evaluating the overall performance while preparing cocktails.

What to Look for When Buying a Cocktail Shaker

Size

Shakers come in a range of shapes and sizes. If you often craft cocktails for several people at once, consider a larger option that holds at least 28 ounces, which will give you plenty of room for your drink and a bounty of ice. If you just like an end-of-day martini, a standard 12-ounce shaker will do the trick.

Material

While you may think any old shaker is fine, material makes a big difference. Lower-quality metals or coated metals will rust, tarnish, and chip over time, while higher-quality stainless steel will remain shiny and looking new after years of happy hours. Many folks like glass, but keep your situation in mind. Are you prone to dropping things? Maybe it’s best to skip the glass shaker.

In the end, no matter the material of your cocktail shaker, the better you care for it the longer it will last. "My advice to home bartenders is to take care of your tools," says Christopher Struck, beverage director of ilili. "Hand washing and drying will extend the life of your tools, which you should absolutely invest in if you’re building out a serious home bar."

Seal

The difference between a good shaker and a great shaker is the seal. After all, you don’t want your drink exploding all over you mid-shake. Testing out a shaker or reading the reviews will give you insight as to how strong the seal is.

cocktail shaker filled with ice cubes, vodka, lime juice, and triple sec

The Spruce Eats / Abbey Littlejohn

FAQs

How do you use a cocktail shaker?

Start off by filling your shaker with your cocktail ingredients, then add a generous amount of ice. Don’t skimp on the cubes, either. If you use less, the drink will dilute and warm more quickly. Seal the shaker and give it a generous shake until the sides are frosted over. This generally takes around 15 seconds. Strain to remove ice chunks and citrus seeds, and serve.

Is the top of a cocktail shaker an ounce? 

If we’re talking about a cobbler shaker, the lid can often double as a jigger. These lids are usually an ounce, though larger cocktail shakers, like OXO’s cocktail shaker, will hold up to 2 ounces. 

Which cocktails need to be shaken?

As a rule of thumb, any drink that requires citrus needs to be shaken. Why? When you activate the citrus via shaking, all of the bitterness is removed, leaving it light and frothy. Plus, citrus and spirits have very different densities. In order to properly integrate the two ingredients, you must agitate and blend by shaking. On the flip side, drinks that contain only spirits, such as a Negroni or Manhattan, are best stirred, although if you prefer yours shaken, it won’t ruin the drink.

Pour the light rum in shaker

The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

Kate Dingwall is a freelance writer and sommelier whose work focuses on food, drinks, and travel. She is based in Toronto and holds a Wine & Spirit Education Trust Level III qualification. With a decade of bartending experience under her belt, she knows her way around a cocktail shaker.

Sources

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