We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. What to Buy Bar & Drinks The 7 Best Cocktail Shakers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Our top performers feature a durable, sturdy tight seal so you can easily mix, aerate, and properly chill your ingredients. By Clarissa Buch Zilberman Clarissa Buch Zilberman Clarissa Buch Zilberman is a writer with expertise in barware, kitchen tools, and small appliances. She has contributed 20+ product reviews for Food & Wine, including roundups of the best citrus juicers, cocktail shakers, and cocktail smokers. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Updated on October 16, 2024 In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Our Favorite Cocktail Shaker Factors to Consider Our Cocktail Shaker Tests Other Cocktail Shakers We Tested FAQ Our Expertise Photo: Food & Wine/Nick Simpson From an Aviation to a Gin Fizz, many classic cocktail recipes require a good shake to incorporate, aerate, and properly chill the ingredients. While it’s a necessary step, the technique is also easy to learn and unabashedly fun. But before mastering the perfect shake, you’ll need the right equipment. There are three main types of cocktail shakers — the Boston shaker, the cobbler shaker, and the French (or Parisian) shaker. Comprised of two tins or one tin and a mixing glass that are then sealed together to shake ingredients, the Boston shaker is the most popular choice for professional bar settings thanks to its practicality. “A Boston-style shaker has great balance because it’s weighted,” says Chad Gant, the lead bartender and beverage expert at Bobby Hotel’s Union Tavern in Nashville. “It creates an effective seal without being impractical, and it’s hard to break.” Our expert testers evaluated over a dozen cocktail shakers for durability, sturdiness, and a tight seal — all necessary components for making a standout home cocktail. Below, find our full list of the best cocktail shakers for mixing chilled margaritas, frothy fizzes, and so much more. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Cocktail Kingdom Leopold Weighted Shaking Tin Set at Amazon $32 Jump to Review Best Value: SALE True Advance Stainless Steel Boston Shaker at Amazon $25 $14 Jump to Review Best Splurge: Elevated Craft Cocktail Shaker at Amazon $75 Jump to Review Best Boston Shaker: A Bar Above Weighted Cocktail Shaker Set at Amazon $22 Jump to Review Best Cobbler Shaker: Tablecraft Cobbler Shaker at Amazon $25 Jump to Review Best Insulated Shaker: BrüMate 20oz Triple-Insulated Stainless Steel Cocktail Shaker at Amazon $35 Jump to Review Best Copper: Barfly Antique Copper Tins Set at Amazon $48 Jump to Review Best Overall Cocktail Kingdom Leopold Weighted Shaking Tin Set PHOTO: Amazon $32 at Amazon View on Cocktail Kingdom View on Carbonknifeco.com Pros This shaker is sturdy and durable, and it forms a strong seal for maximum control. Cons The stainless steel exterior shows fingerprints and water drips. The Cocktail Kingdom Leopold Weighted Shaking Tin Set was one of the only cocktail shakers to receive a perfect score in every testing category, including ease of use, performance, design, and value. A popular choice among professional bartenders, this shaker stands out for its stability, sturdiness, and weight. Dorys Rodriguez Cordero, bartender at Palacio Provincial’s Atelier in San Juan, Puerto Rico, also likes this set “because they’re incredibly durable and well-made,” he says, which helps him keep up with the pace in a high-volume cocktail bar. We loved that it felt and performed like a high-end version of a classic Boston-style shaker. One of the many reasons we prefer a Boston shaker is that it consists of just two very sturdy metal cups, which makes cleanup a breeze. The only downside is the stainless steel exterior, which is prone to fingerprints and water drips. Use a microfiber towel when drying to ensure the shaker remains pristine and shiny. Capacity: 28 ounces | Material: Stainless steel PHOTO: Food & Wine / Kristin Stangl PHOTO: Food & Wine / Kristin Stangl PHOTO: Food & Wine / Kristin Stangl Best Value True Advance Stainless Steel Boston Shaker PHOTO: Amazon $25 $14 at Amazon $23 at Target $23 at Wayfair Pros This affordable shaker forms a tight seal and is durable, even if dropped. Cons If you’re looking to dress up your bar, this pick isn’t the most sophisticated design-wise. The only other shaker to receive top marks across the board, the True Advance Boston Set of Stainless Steel Shaker Tins, is among the easiest and most intuitive to use. For someone who hosts parties often or works in a professional bar setting, we think that the value here is hard to beat. Performance-wise, these tins form a tight seal every time, ensuring no liquid slips out while shaking. They deliver a clean, quick pour, and can even withstand an accidental drop without breaking or scratching. For home use, we found these shaker tins to be durable and reliable enough to withstand years of use, making them especially helpful for hosting events and mixing large-batch cocktails. During testing, we even opted to make a margarita on the rocks instead of using a blender, and we noted that the shaker was faster and more efficient. Capacity: 25 ounces | Material: Stainless steel PHOTO: Food & Wine / Samantha Saunion PHOTO: Food & Wine / Samantha Saunion PHOTO: Food & Wine / Samantha Saunion Best Splurge Elevated Craft Cocktail Shaker PHOTO: Huckberry $75 at Amazon $53 at Nordstrom View on Elevatedcraft.com Pros This shaker features a built-in measurement system and silicone gaskets, all wrapped up in a sleek design. Cons Due to the double-walled insulation, it can be difficult to feel how cold the shaker gets. With a built-in measurement system, silicone gaskets, and double-walled insulation, the Elevated Cocktail Shaker ensures making drinks at home is both easy and precise. Designed to fit seamlessly in your hands, this shaker has a substantial weight, which provides more control when shaking. During testing, cocktails came out properly chilled and diluted, though we noted that it was difficult to feel exactly how cold the shaker got due to its thick double-walled insulation. The insulation is so strong, one could use this shaker to keep any cocktail or nonalcoholic drink cold. Because of its high price point, we suggest getting this shaker as a gift for a special occasion like a wedding, housewarming, or graduation. Capacity: 25 ounces | Material: Stainless steel The 6 Best Bar Carts to Elevate Your Home Bar Setup PHOTO: Food and Wine / Sarah Brekke PHOTO: Food and Wine / Sarah Brekke Best Boston Shaker A Bar Above Weighted Cocktail Shaker Set PHOTO: A Bar Above $22 at Amazon View on Abarabove.com Pros This weighted shaker is sleek, durable, and offers consistent performance. Cons It’s not designed for large-batch cocktail-making. Durable and built for long-term use, this shaker claims to be strong enough to make more than 10,000 cocktails over its lifetime — and we agree. During testing, cocktails chilled very quickly, in under one minute. Pours were even and mess-free, and the seal remained tight while shaking. Its sleek, stainless steel design made us feel like we were using a supremely durable, luxury bar accessory. Though it’s not designed for large-batch drinks, we would highly recommend this pick to friends and family who enjoy the occasional cocktail at home. Capacity: 28 ounces | Material: Stainless steel Best Cobbler Shaker Tablecraft Cobbler Shaker PHOTO: Amazon $25 at Amazon Pros This shaker’s sturdiness, quality, and printed recipes make it a favorite. Cons The glass is thick and heavy, requiring more effort to hold while shaking. The Tablecraft Cobbler Shaker is a solid choice for anyone interested in cocktail-making for the first time, lending itself well to casual drinks at home. This shaker performed well during our dry shake test (without ice) and wet shake test (with ice), showing particular strength when making large-batch cocktails. Durable in construction, the rubber gasket stayed in place while the stainless steel metal added sturdiness without extra weight. Thanks to its clear glass construction, we enjoyed seeing the inner workings of each cocktail. We also loved the recipes printed on the shaking glass — for instance, the margarita side provides convenient lines marked to show how much tequila, triple sec, and lime juice is needed. On the other hand, the smooth glass exterior doesn’t offer the strongest grip when shaking, especially as condensation builds, so it’s best to avoid shaking with one hand when using this option. Capacity: 24 ounces | Material: Stainless steel and glass PHOTO: Food & Wine / Elise Wojczyk Wang PHOTO: Food & Wine / Elise Wojczyk Wang Best Insulated Shaker BrüMate 20oz Triple-Insulated Stainless Steel Cocktail Shaker PHOTO: Amazon $35 at Amazon $32 at Walmart $40 at Brumate.com Pros This cocktail shaker keeps drinks super chilled and can also be used as a pint glass. Cons Make sure to securely attach the BevLock leak-proof lid, because if it’s not properly in place, liquid may leak. The easy-to-use BruMate Cocktail Shaker is one of the only shakers that doubles as a pint glass, allowing you to comfortably drink from it. With a sleek, polished design, we think this shaker is great for all kinds of drinks, performing well in both single and double drink tests. Before you shake or take on the go, make sure to securely attach the BevLock leak-proof lid — if it’s not properly in place, liquid may leak. Another convenient feature is BruMate’s BevGuard technology, which keeps drinks super-cold without the metallic aftertaste other stainless steel products can sometimes have. Overall, we were impressed with BruMate’s ease of use, performance, and design. Capacity: 20 ounces | Material: Stainless steel PHOTO: Food & Wine / Stephanie Lewis PHOTO: Food & Wine / Stephanie Lewis PHOTO: Food & Wine / Stephanie Lewis Best Copper Barfly Antique Copper Tins Set PHOTO: Amazon $48 at Amazon Pros This is a well-built shaker available in various exterior finishes. Cons The shaker was harder to seal and unseal than other models we’ve used, and it requires hand-washing. This Barfly set is well-liked for its durable feel and weight, which are perfect for a busy bar. The brand’s stainless steel cocktail tin sets also come in over a dozen finishes — including gold, vintage black, and antique copper — to channel the perfect aesthetic in your home bar. Juan Carlos Ascencio, the bartender at Rita’s Cantina & Bar at JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa, prefers the Barfly set for its “durable feel and weight, which is perfect for the busy bar.” We did experience some difficulty when trying to establish a firm seal. The first trial without ice produced a drink where the egg white was not correctly emulsified, though the shake tests with ice were successful. Due to this set’s antique finish, hand-washing is also recommended. Capacity: 28 ounces | Material: Stainless steel Our Favorite Cocktail Shaker Among all testing categories, the Cocktail Kingdom Leopold Weighted Shaking Tin Set was an overwhelming winner, earning a perfect score from our expert testers. Not only is it incredibly durable and well-made, but it’s also designed to form a strong seal for maximum control. It felt and performed like a high-end version of a classic Boston-style shaker, making it a great option for anyone who enjoys a good cocktail and wants a bar-level product in their home. Food & Wine / Nick Simpson Factors to Consider Material The vast majority of cocktail shakers are made with stainless steel for a reason — the material is durable, lightweight, easy to clean, and doesn’t hold odors or stains. However, some are made with pure copper, which is beautiful and long-lasting and can have antimicrobial benefits. Some styles of shakers are also made with glass, which can be a great choice aesthetically because it allows you to see all the cocktail-making action happen. However, one drawback to glass shakers is that they can be prone to leaking, especially if they are combined with stainless steel components. So if you're new to making cocktails, you may want to go with a full stainless steel shaker to guarantee a leak-proof seal. Capacity Before buying a shaker, consider how often you plan to make drinks and in what quantities. If you frequently make cocktails for one, then a small- or mid-sized shaker with a capacity between 12 and 20 ounces should work fine. However, if you frequently have a few friends over for happy hour, you may want to consider a shaker with a 28-ounce capacity or above. Style There are technically three types of cocktail shakers that you might want to consider, depending on your preference and skill level. The most popular model named by professional bartenders is the Boston shaker, which usually comes as a set with a large shaking tin and a small tin (or pint glass) that fit together. With a Boston-style shaker, you'll need to use a separate strainer to pour your drink once you're done mixing. The cobbler shaker is a tin with a built-in strainer and cap. Finally, the French (or Parisian) shaker is a hybrid of the first two, with a shaking tin and a cap but no built-in strainer. While the cobbler shaker is easier for novice home cocktail makers, some experts say it can be cumbersome — the cap can get stuck, and the strainer can get clogged more easily. Pro tip: Sometimes it can be easier to remove a stuck cap after you've let the shaker come back to room temperature. If that doesn't work, then try giving it a soak in hot water. Our Cocktail Shaker Tests To gauge the overall functionality of the cocktail shakers, we conducted four separate tests in a range of categories. To see how well the shaker handled ingredients without ice, integrated eggs or egg whites, and created a froth, we did a dry shake test. Then, in order to observe how well the shaker handled ingredients with ice added, we did a wet shake as well, using a consistent amount of ice between each model. We also looked at how the seal performs over a long period of shaking time and if each shaker could accommodate a recipe that is meant to serve two. Lastly, we took note of which ones were easiest to maintain and clean. Other Cocktail Shakers We Tested Strong Contenders The Modern Mixologist Tin on Tin Shakers ($38 at Modern Mixologist) We loved how easy this shaker was to hold, and it fit a double-batch cocktail with no issues. Overall, the Modern Mixologist is a quality shaker, but some of our top picks simply beat it out in terms of performance. Twelve24 Mixing Tin Set ($17 at Twelve24) We loved the durable and classic design of this functional set, especially since it's also dishwasher-safe. We only wish it were a bit easier to use. Bull In China Weighted Shaker Tins Set ($22 at Bull In China) We love the variety of finishes this set comes in, and we found it incredibly easy to achieve a good seal. But we were surprised by just how cold this shaker got during our long shake, which made it pretty hard to break the seal. What Didn't Make the List Some of the other cocktail shakers we tested fell too short performance-wise to be included on our list. We wanted to like the OXO Good Grips Cocktail Shaker, but the lid's seal actually failed during our 30-second dry shake test. Another model we tried, the Williams Sonoma Encore Bar Double Walled Cocktail Shaker, was very tricky to clean around its rubber seal and even needed an additional thorough cleaning before our first use because of black residue left behind on its interior. Other shakers we tested were simply lacking in quality and performance, so we thought it best to leave those out. Frequently Asked Questions How do you use a cocktail shaker correctly? After pouring the ingredients into the tin, add ice and seal it with the lid or shaker tin (depending on which type of shaker you’re using). Make sure to grip the shaker with both hands, one on top and one on the bottom. Shake vigorously in an up-and-down motion over your shoulder. Once the shaker starts to chill, after about 10 seconds, the cocktail is ready to strain into a glass. What should you look for in a cocktail shaker? The first thing to consider is the type of shaker you want, whether Boston, cobbler, or French. A Boston-style shaker is the commonly used style among professional bartenders and comes with two separate tins. The cobbler comes with a built-in strainer and cap, and the French is a mix of the two with no built-in strainer. If you're looking for a beginner shaker, go with the cobbler. Why are many classic cocktails served shaken? There are so many common cocktail making mistakes, and the question about shaking vs. stirring illustrates this. Besides the most obvious reason to use a shaker — that is, to thoroughly mix the drink’s ingredients — shaking a cocktail chills and aerates the ingredients. Cocktails that contain citrus, cream liqueurs, egg, and milk are typically shaken. Anything with club soda, sparkling wine, or bubbles should be stirred. Which is the best cocktail shaker set? The best cocktail shaker set is strictly up to personal preference, though we were impressed with the Cocktail Kingdom Leopold Weighted Shaking Tin Set. In any set, you want to choose a shaker that provides durability, strength, a leak-proof seal, and weight for maximum control. Bonus points if it looks good on your bar cart, too. What cocktail shakers do professional bartenders use? Bartenders and professional mixologists generally opt for a Boston-style shaker because they’re well-balanced and weighted for efficiency. What material is best for a cocktail shaker? Stainless steel is the preferred choice among bartenders because they’re most often dishwasher-safe, and durable enough to withstand years of use. They are also usually better at maintaining a leak-proof seal — an area where glass shakers sometimes fall short. Our Expertise Clarissa Buch Zilberman is an acclaimed food writer with nearly a decade of experience. She specializes in barware, kitchen tools, and small kitchen appliances and has written more than 20 shopping guides for Food & Wine, including roundups of the best citrus juicers, cocktail shakers, and cocktail smokers, among others. In addition to Food & Wine, she has written for Bon Appetit, Visit Florida, and more. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit