A shaker is essential, whether you’re looking for a bartender’s gift or want to make a cocktail at home. Have you ever tried to stir lime juice into a homemade margarita or get the perfect layer of foam on an espresso martini without a shaker? It’s difficult.
The Good Housekeeping Institute’s Kitchen Innovation and Appliance Lab teamed up with Test Kitchen to create a list of expert-recommended cocktail shakers. The two GH teams evaluate a wide variety of cool cocktail appliances and kitchen gadgets throughout the year by testing products and developing recipes, including bartending kits, glassware and more (See some of the top picks in our annual Kitchen Gear Awards).
To find our favorite cocktail shakers, we evaluated popular and highly rated models that cater 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 (but functional!) to add to your bar cart.
Our Top Picks:
After our top picks, read on to learn what to look for when buying a cocktail shaker and how to use your new bartending equipment when it arrives.
1. The Koriko Large Weighted Shaker
Sometimes the simplest is the best. That’s what you get with this basic but highly functional Boston shaker - the preferred shaker style of many professional bartenders. This sleek and durable shaker from Cocktail Kingdom can produce drinks quickly thanks to its simple, sturdy and easy-to-clean design. Both cans are weighted, which adds weight and creates a more secure seal than lighter cans. 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 that people with smaller hands preferred this product to others because it wasn’t too big or too heavy. The small box fit easily into the large one, and we found it was easy to separate them after shaking. Just note that it sells separately them and you will need to purchase the small weighted shaker box to complete your set.
Buy: The Koriko Large Weighted Shaker
2. Single Wall Cocktail Shaker
If you prefer your cocktail-making gear in one compact package, an all-in-one shaker like this one might be for you. The cap is a measuring cup (aka a jigger) that marks each half ounce up to 1 1/2 ounces - what most professionals consider a shot - and there’s a strainer built into the lid. The lid is easy to attach and separate, and two silicone seals create a tight seal. “It’s comfortable to hold and easy to shake with one hand,” says Nicole Papantoniou, director of the Kitchen Appliance and Innovation Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. “I never have to worry about a leak because the seal is tight, and the lid fits securely.” The brand also claims it is dishwasher safe.
Buy: Single Wall Cocktail Shaker
3. 10-piece bar tool set with bamboo stand
If you’re looking for more than just a shaker and need everything to complete your home mixology set, our best bartender kit - which comes in copper, silver and black - has you covered. Besides a shaker, it contains a long-handled spoon for stirring, two pour spouts for alcohol to prevent spills, and a bottle opener, which most other bartending kits we reviewed didn’t have. Plus, the compact wooden stand keeps everything organized and will look elegant on a bar cart. The kit comes with 10 pieces, including a jigger, mixer, strainer and more, but we wish it came with a mixing glass. That’s not a problem, as we can substitute instead another glass.
Buy: 10-piece bar tool set with bamboo stand
4. Polished Stainless Steel Boston Shaker
While bartenders may not choose this pretty shaker (the extra design elements don’t optimize speed), it is wonderful for the home mixologist. It has many of our top pick features, such as weighted canisters designed to be tightly sealed, as well as a footed base that adds interest and may even prevent accidental spills. In our testing, we also found that the ridged rings around the base of each box help you keep your grip when shaking. Nice and practical!
Buy: Polished Stainless Steel Boston Shaker
5. Twist-to-Lock Double Wall Cocktail Shaker
First time? Check out this easy-to-use model with a unique and useful twist-lock lid. This extra seal is an added safeguard against leaks, and they designed the slanted cocktail strainer spout for more precise pouring. The double-walled stainless steel keeps your hands warm (and your drinks cold!) while you shake, so you’ll look like a pro even if you’ve never mixed a drink before. Cheers!
Buy: Twist-to-Lock Double Wall Cocktail Shaker
How we chose the best cocktail shakers
DeliverItX Test Kitchen and Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab chose the best cocktail shakers based on their research, expert opinions, and decades of cocktail experience. We chose a variety of Boston shakers, cobbler shakers and cocktail shakers that had unique features like an included cap with liquid measurements, extra handles for your hands, interesting design elements or special seals to help prevent leaks. Testers shook a few 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.
What to look for in a cocktail shaker
✔️ Type: there are three main types of cocktail shakers: Boston, cobbler and Parisian/French. They made Boston shakes of two metal cans that fit together. This creates a tight seal, but they can be difficult to open and you will need a separate strainer to serve your cocktail. Cobbler shakes include a metal canister, built-in strainer and cap. They are easier to use but may not be as tightly sealed as a Boston shaker, which can lead to leaks. The design of a Parisian shaker is somewhere in between: it is shaped like a cobbler shaker but has no strainer or stopper. This type is elegant but harder to find.
✔️ Material: Most modern cocktail shakers (and all the ones on this list) are stainless steel - brushed or polished. We’ve seen a few plastic and glass models, but we prefer steel for its weight and durability. You can also look for “double-walled” options, which comprise two stainless steel walls separated by air. This insulates the cup, keeps freezing temperatures in and prevents frozen hands when you squeeze.
✔️ Capacity: Most cocktail shakers can hold 12 to 28 ounces of liquid. Choose a smaller option to shake 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 pounds) have the potential to be sturdier, lighter models (less than 1 pound) might be preferable if you have smaller hands. Check the diameter of the can to make sure you can fit your fingers through.
✔️ Special Features: The most basic cocktail shakers are simple metal cans, but some offer features such as a maximum fill line to prevent spills, built-in measurements so you can see how much of each ingredient you’re pouring, and non-slip handles on the side. While these features aren’t essential, they can be nice to have.
How to use a cocktail shaker
Pour your ingredients into the shaker box. This allows you to make any adjustments to your recipe before putting in the ice.
Fill the shaker with ice, at least until it covers the liquid. Secure the lid or top of the shaker box.
Place your hands on the top and bottom of the shaker and shake (vigorously if you’re trying to break up the ice and dilute the drink, or more gently if you’re just trying to chill the drink).
Shake for about 30 seconds, or until the outside of the shaker is frosted. (Note: this will not happen if you are using a double-walled or insulated model).
Strain your cocktail into a glass.
