Shaker

Everything You Need to Know About Cocktail Shakers

There are several types of cocktail shakers, each with its own strengths and drawbacks. Let’s take a closer look at their specific features to help you find the one that suits you best.

The 3 main types of cocktail shakers available on the market are:

• The 3-piece Cobbler shaker
• The Boston shaker
• The Parisian shaker

In this quick overview, you’ll discover the advantages of each type of shaker.

The Cobbler Shaker: The Shaker Favored by the Japanese

Fun fact: the 3-piece Cobbler shaker concept is especially popular among Japanese mixologists, renowned for their attention to detail and pursuit of excellence. Designed to prepare cocktails in individual servings, the Cobbler shaker allows Japanese bartenders to give special care to each customer, reinforcing the unique character of every drink.

Often called the “3-piece shaker,” the Cobbler is a great choice for beginners eager to learn the subtle art of cocktail making.

Made up of three parts, the Cobbler shaker consists of a small glass, a funnel-shaped lid fitted with a built-in strainer welded to it, and a small cap to seal everything and allow the liquids to be mixed.

Bartenders often debate which is better: a Cobbler shaker or a Boston shaker. Cobbler shakers have a smaller capacity than Boston shakers, making them better suited to preparing a cocktail for a single person. Bar professionals tend to favor larger-capacity shakers for greater efficiency when preparing drinks on a larger scale, especially during busy periods at the bar.

Pros:

• Decorative: lids and caps can come in various shapes.
• Built-in filter: no need for a separate cocktail strainer.
• Less dilution: less volume means less ice.
• Easy to use: the best shaker for beginners, no special technique required to use it.

Cons:

• Small capacity: less efficient in busy bars.
• Hard to open: temperature changes cause the metal to contract, creating an airtight seal between the lid and cap. This often requires rinsing the shaker under warm water to open it, which can warm up the drink inside.
• Filtering: the holes in the built-in strainer are larger than the mesh of a classic strainer.

The Boston Shaker: The American-Style Shaker

This classic shaker is generally considered the American cocktail shaker. The shaker glass used holds 16 ounces, the same volume as an American pint.

The Boston shaker is usually the top choice among bar professionals. Simple in design, it consists of two vessels that fit into one another: one glass, one metal.

It remains the experts’ pick because it can hold more liquid than a Cobbler, allowing several drinks to be prepared at once — an invaluable time-saver during busy periods at the bar.

The Boston Tin

The Boston Tin, or metal shaker, generally holds a volume of about 28 ounces. Its diameter is roughly 9 to 10 cm, allowing it to be paired with a smaller glass that nests inside it.

The Boston Glass

A Boston glass is a conical glass with a volume of about 16 ounces. This shaker glass is based on the standard American pint glass, which holds 16 US fl oz, or 47 cl.

Note that due to the regular impact of ice cubes during shaking, the Boston glass can occasionally break. Over time, it’s important to handle this type of glass with care when preparing your cocktails.

Pros:

Large capacity: a Boston glass holds an average of 28 ounces, meaning several drinks can be prepared at once.

Airtight seal: when properly fitted and sealed, a Boston shaker is perfectly leak-proof.

Double shaking: experienced bartenders can shake a cocktail in each hand at once.

Interchangeable: Boston shaker parts are generally a standard size.

Visibility: the glass lets the bartender see the contents. It also creates a nice visual effect for customers.

Easy to clean: the simple shape means there are no traps for grime.

Stackable: the basic conical shape makes each glass easy to stack and store.

Cons:

Breakable glass: even though a Boston glass is usually tempered to resist impact, it can still break, meaning regular replacements.

Professional-level: not recommended for beginners; sealing and unsealing takes practice.

Less decorative: simple shape.

Requires a strainer

Boston Shaker VS Cobbler Shaker

See at a glance the pros and cons of these two types of shakers.

The Parisian Shaker, or French Shaker

Appearing before the Cobbler shaker, the Parisian shaker is also commonly known as the French shaker or continental shaker. Its design sits at the crossroads between the Boston and the Cobbler shaker, with the key difference that it has no built-in strainer.

The two pieces that make up the Parisian shaker fit together perfectly, offering excellent leak-proof sealing while mixing.

As with the Japanese shaker, once the lid and glass are joined, separating the two parts can be tricky. A buildup can also form over time at the junction of the two pieces.

Both in looks and performance, the Parisian shaker stands out from the crowd. With its sleek curves reminiscent of the Cobbler shaker, the Parisian shaker remains elegant while retaining the practical advantages of the American-style Boston shaker.

Pros:

• Temperature: all-steel design for greater cooling capacity than glass.
• Sturdy: the metal withstands the impact of ice cubes perfectly.
• Sound effect: the sound of ice friction is more noticeable than with thick glass, which muffles sound.
• For pros and beginners alike: simple to use.

Cons:

• Can be hard to separate: a residue can build up in the seal gap over time, making the two parts of the French shaker difficult to pull apart.
• Requires a strainer: in which case a Cobbler shaker might be a better choice.

Tin on Tin: All-Metal

Like the Boston shaker, the Tin on Tin consists of 2 vessels, one wider than the other so they fit together as one. The Tin on Tin, for example, lets you buy two tins in different colors for a fun visual effect.

Cheater Tin

The Cheater Tin, or “Toby tin,” is another 16-ounce metal vessel. It’s easier to fit together than a glass vessel and gives a better grip on the whole Boston shaker.

To make your Boston shaker easier to handle, simply swap the usual glass for a “Cheater Tin.” However, we want to point out that this type of vessel can cause compatibility issues between brands and may affect the seal of your Boston shaker.

Pros:

• Temperature: all-steel design for greater cooling capacity than glass.
• Seal: steel is more flexible than glass.
• Durability: repeated drops and knocks won’t break these steel tins.
• Sound effect: the sound of ice friction is more noticeable than with thick glass, which muffles sound.

Cons:

• Professional-level: not recommended for beginners; sealing and unsealing takes practice.
• Compatibility – buying tins from different manufacturers doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll fit together perfectly.