What’s the best way to 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 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 are the different types of shakers?

There are technically three types of cocktail shakers. The most popular model named by professional bartenders is the Boston shaker , which usually comes as a set with a large shaking tin and small tin or pint glass. 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.

Why are many classic cocktails served shaken?

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 personal preference, though our expert testers 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 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.

The Best Cocktail Shakers for Your Home Bar, According to Our Tests

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

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Best Value:

True Advance Stainless Steel Boston Shaker at Amazon

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Best Splurge:

Elevated Craft Cocktail Shaker at Amazon

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Best Cobbler Shaker:

Tablecraft Cobbler Shaker at Amazon

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Best Insulated Shaker:

BrüMate 20oz Triple-Insulated Stainless Steel Cocktail Shaker at Amazon

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Best Boston Shaker:

A Bar Above Weighted Cocktail Shaker Set at Amazon

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Best Design:

Tovolo Stainless Steel Cocktail Shaker at Amazon

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Best Durable:

Oggi Groove Insulated Cocktail Shaker at Amazon

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Best Copper:

Barfly Antique Copper Tins Set at Amazon

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Cocktail Kingdom Leopold Weighted Shaking Tin Set

Amazon

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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.

Our testers loved that it felt and performed like a high-end version of a classic Boston-style shaker. “One of the many reasons I prefer a Boston shaker is it is just two very sturdy metal cups, so cleanup is always a breeze,” one tester said. 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.

Price at time of publish: $30

Capacity: 28 ounces
Material: Stainless steel

Food & Wine / Kristin Stangl
Food & Wine / Kristin Stangl
Food & Wine / Kristin Stangl
Food & Wine / Kristin Stangl

True Advance Boston Set of 2 Stainless Steel Shaker Tins

Amazon

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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, our expert testers agreed 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.

From home use, our testers believe these shaker tins are durable and reliable enough to withstand years of use, making them especially helpful for hosting events and mixing large-batch cocktails. One of our experts even opted to make a margarita on the rocks instead of using their blender and noted the shaker was faster and more efficient.

Price at time of publish: $18

Capacity: 25 ounces
Material: Stainless steel

Food & Wine / Samantha Saunion
Food & Wine / Samantha Saunion
Food & Wine / Samantha Saunion
Food & Wine / Samantha Saunion

4.5

Elevated Craft The Elevated Cocktail Shaker

Huckberry

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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 were properly chilled and diluted, though our experts 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, our testers suggested this shaker as a gift for a special occasion like a wedding, housewarming, or graduation.

Price at time of publish: $70

Capacity: 25 ounces
Material: Stainless steel

Food and Wine / Sarah Brekke
Food and Wine / Sarah Brekke
Food and Wine / Sarah Brekke

4.8

Tablecraft Cobbler Shaker with Measurement Guide

Amazon

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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, our testers enjoyed seeing the inner workings of each cocktail. They 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.

Price at time of publish: $21

Capacity: 24 ounces
Material: Stainless steel and glass

4.8

Amazon

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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, our testers agreed that they would use this shaker 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, our testers were impressed with BruMate’s ease of use, performance, and design.

Price at time of publish: $35

Capacity: 20 ounces
Material: Stainless steel

A Bar Above

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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 our experts 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 our testers feel like they were using a supremely durable, luxury bar accessory. Though it’s not designed for large-batch drinks, our testers would highly recommend this pick to friends and family who enjoy the occasional cocktail at home.

Price at time of publish: $20

Capacity: 28 ounces
Material: Stainless steel

4.5

Amazon

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Pros: This all-in-one shaker also includes a built-in reamer, jigger, and strainer.

Cons: It’s not the most beautiful bar accessory, but it’s incredibly functional.

There’s much more to this cocktail shaker than simply mixing a good drink. This multipurpose bar tool comprises four functions in one, including a built-in reamer, a jigger, a strainer, and then, of course, a shaker. Our expert testers noted the shaker’s seal remained tight while in use, while the strainer ensured a clean, even pour. Consider it a great all-in-one starter kit for anyone who wants to make cocktails at home without investing in too many tools. While it’s not the most beautiful bar accessory, it makes up for it with functionality.

Price at time of publish: $36

Capacity: 24 ounces
Material: Stainless steel

4.8

Amazon

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Pros: A reliable, basic shaker, this pick is great for beginners and forms a trusty seal.

Cons: The body of this shaker is very wide, so it may be difficult to grip.

Made up of three pieces — the bottom shaker, the top strainer, and the lid — this no-frills, durable shaker makes cocktail-making a breeze. Through testing, our experts noted that the seal remained very tight while the base, which was full of ice, did not get too cold or produce any condensation, so it was easy to grip the entire time while shaking.

Testers also used it to make a whiskey sour and a two-serving margarita, and it frothed the egg white well in the whisky while holding up to two servings of a margarita (6-8 ounces each). Overall, this pick is ideal for anyone who needs a basic, durable, and easy-to-use shaker.

Price at time of publish: $25

Capacity: 17 ounces
Material: Stainless steel

Amazon

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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.”

Our testers experienced 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.

Price at time of publish: $32

Capacity: 28 ounces
Material: Stainless steel

Our Favorite

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.

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.

Purpose

Before buying a shaker, consider how often you plan to make drinks and where it will live. If your bar cart is on prominent display, choose a model you love to look at as much as you love using.

Cleaning

Most stainless steel shakers are dishwasher-safe and rugged enough to withstand years of usage and cleaning. Depending on how often you mix cocktails, keep in mind some options, including the ones made with copper or glass, will be hand-wash only.

The Tests

We conducted four separate tests in a range of categories, including a dry shake (to see how well the shaker handles ingredients without ice, integrates eggs or egg whites, and creates a froth) and a wet shake (to observe how well the shaker handles ingredients with ice added). We also looked at how the seal performs over a long period of shaking time, and which ones were easiest to maintain and clean.

What Didn’t Make the List

Strong Contenders

The Modern Mixologist Tin on Tin Shakers ($30 at Modern Mixologist)
Twelve24 Mixing Tin Set ($17 at Twelve24)

Results Still Simmering

OXO Good Grips Double-Walled Cocktail Shaker ($12 at Amazon)
Rabbit Twist-to-Lock Cocktail Shaker ($44 at Amazon)
Simple Modern Cocktail Shaker Martini Shaker ($27 at Amazon)
Pina Barware Stainless Steel Commercial Boston Shaker Tin Set ($20 at Pina Barware)
Bull In China Weighted Shaker Tins Set ($21 at Bull In China)

Low Performers

Cocktail Kingdom Set of Koriko Weighted Shaking Tins ($22 at Cocktail Kingdom)
Barfly Weighted Tins ($20 at Amazon)
Williams Sonoma Encore Bar Double Walled Cocktail Shaker ($50 at Williams Sonoma)
OXO Good Grips Cocktail Shaker ($23 at Amazon)
Crafthouse by Fortessa Stainless Steel Boston Shaker ($36 at Crafthouse by Fortessa)

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best way to 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 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 are the different types of shakers?

There are technically three types of cocktail shakers. The most popular model named by professional bartenders is the Boston shaker, which usually comes as a set with a large shaking tin and small tin or pint glass. 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.
Why are many classic cocktails served shaken?

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 personal preference, though our expert testers 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 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.

Our Expertise

Clarissa Buch Zilberman is an acclaimed food writer with nearly a decade of experience. She has written for Food & Wine, Bon Appetit, Visit Florida, and more.