travel cocktail shaker

The 7 Best Cocktail Shakers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Because a home bar isn't complete without a cocktail shaker.

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Liquor.com / Vicki Denig

Shaken or stirred? If it’s the former, you’ll need the best cocktail shaker for the job. “Essentially, there are three different styles of cocktail shakers: glass-on-tin Boston, tin-on-tin Boston, or cobbler,” explains Brandon Lockman , bar manager at Oswego Lake Country Club. 

Boston shakers are made of two 12- and 28-ounce mixing tins, either with one glass shaker and one tin (glass-on-tin) or two tins (tin-on-tin). They fit inside each other, while the liquid creates a natural seal, and a quick shake will cool down the drink with ease. “I’ve been using the Koriko tin-on-tin Boston shaker for the last 10 to 12 years,” says Lockman. “It chills faster and has a better seal than glass-on-tin and doesn’t get stuck as easily as the cobbler.” A cobbler shaker is made up of three parts: a tin, a top with a built-in strainer, and a cap. It’s a favorite among home bartenders for its ease of use, but professional bartenders will say the top leaks and can be difficult to remove when chilled, making it inefficient for busy services. As for the Parisian shaker, Lockman says it’s “a cobbler without the cap.”

To help you figure out the ideal cocktail shaker for your home bar, we've meticulously put our favorites through real-world tests . We evaluated each shaker on ease of use, design, capacity, material, and weight.

Best Overall

Cocktail kingdom leopold weighted shaking tin set.

Easy to use

Comes in various sizes

Dishwasher-safe

May be challenging for beginners

Read Full Review: Cocktail Kingdom Leopold Weighted Shaking Tins Review

Cocktail Kingdom’s Leopold Weighted Shaking Tins are extremely popular in the bar industry. They're also fan favorites for consumers, too. They're classic and sleek with a nice weight to them, which makes them feel and perform like a higher-end version of a Boston-style shaker.

Isabella Marriott, former head bartender at Brooklyn’s Bar Beau, says, “They are so easy to snap open and closed that you never have to worry about the shakers getting stuck together.”

The weighted nature of these shakers is helpful. You’ll find most experienced bartenders use this type of shaking tin to mix craft cocktails. “An added bonus is you can stack them and never have to worry about the small tin getting trapped in the larger one,” she says.

These particular tins come in standard 18- and 28-ounce sizes and are made of dishwasher-safe stainless steel. While we found these easy to use during testing because they release easily and don't leak while you shake them, we acknowledge our previous experience with the Boston shaker. A novice bartender will likely experience a learning curve with this type of shaker. You’ll need to know how a shaker feels in your hand to properly seal the tins and avoid spills.

Boston shakers are far easier to clean than the average cobbler shaker, however. This set proves that, as there are fewer nooks and crannies to scrub.

Style: Boston | Material:  Stainless steel |  Capacity:  18- and 28-ounce tins |  Dishwasher-Safe:  Yes

Liquor.com / Sarah Freeman

A Bar Above Copper Boston Shaker Set

Comes in various weights

Made from food-grade stainless steel

Hand wash only

“A Bar Above started as an incredibly informative drinks podcast,” says Deena Sayers , a beverage strategist at Doña Vega Mezcal. “Now, they have a fantastic line of bar tools that I’ve come to fall in love with.”

Tom Levron , minister of spirits at BHAKTA Spirits in California, likes the brand's Boston shakers, in particular. “These shakers are welded all around and not just in three spots like most shakers, which means they are stronger and will last longer. Also, they are priced competitively with other high-end shakers.”

Sayers notes that these shakers are available in two options: weighted and unweighted. “If you’re a flair bartender or shake your cocktails extra hard, then you’ll prefer the weighted set that won’t break loose during your cocktail-making theatrics. If you’re a bartender focused on speed, an at-home enthusiast, or just always have a problem popping the tin off after you finish shaking, then you’ll want to go with the weighted/unweighted combination.” The shaker sets are also crafted from food-grade stainless steel with a copper-coated finish and are very durable. They feel fancy and high-end in your hands.

We found this set to be one of our favorites and the best value by far. The product was a pleasure to unbox—very sleek and modern, with great fonts and marketing. Each product was individually wrapped in plastic, and the products themselves were very modern, sleek, and strong. They were definitely the shiniest of the bunch! The tins kept all ingredients inside and were totally sealed tight.

Although the tins are slightly large, we thought that was a plus—perfect for making multiple drinks at once. The pour was clean and precise, as the strainer did not allow any spillage. Best of all, the product came with an insert that included instructions on how to use the tins and shake a cocktail —a very big plus for first-time bartenders. It also included care instructions (hand wash only, sadly) and a sample cocktail recipe to get started.

Style: Boston | Material:  Stainless steel, copper |  Capacity:  18- and 28-ounce shaker tins |  Dishwasher-Safe:  No

Liquor.com /Tim Fatato

Best for Beginners

Rabbit twist-to-lock cocktail shaker.

Very easy to use

Built-in strainer

Double-walled

The cap's built-in jigger is hard to read

Read Full Review: Rabbit Twist-to-Lock Cocktail Shaker Review

This Rabbit cocktail shaker is ideal for beginners: it’s incredibly easy to use, as the cap twists and untwists with ease, with a satisfying click to let you know it's locked and ready. The all-in-one design features a strainer, tin, and lid all built into one simple shaker. Flip the lid to build a cocktail—the top of the cup has measuring lines, so you can easily build cocktails right in the shaker, no jigger required. Lift open the lid to reveal an integrated strainer. 

The unique bayonet lid securely fits into place on the 18-ounce tin, allowing you to shake up cocktails as vigorously as needed. But no need to shake too hard—the double-walled stainless steel allows the drinks inside to chill quickly, while still keeping the outside of the containers warm to hands. A twist-on lid means you don’t have to struggle to remove a frozen lid. Plus, the cocktail shaker has a reamer attachment, so you can juice citrus directly into the tin.

One thing to be aware of? The cap doubles as a jigger, but the line measurements can be a little tricky to read. You might be better off using your own jigger as our tester did. It's also not dishwasher safe, but this shaker is really easy to clean. It's simple, effective, and easy to assemble and clean, making it a solid choice for everyday cocktails or the casual home bartender.

Style: Cobbler | Material:  Stainless steel |  Capacity:  18 ounces |  Dishwasher-Safe:  Yes

Best for Professionals

Cocktail kingdom koriko weighted shaking tins.

Cocktail Kingdom

Comes in various finishes

Easy to grip

Can be hard to use at first

Exterior shows the drips

Read Full Review: Cocktail Kingdom Koriko Weighted Shaking Tins Review

“The Cocktail Kingdom Koriko weighted tins are very nearly the industry standard for a reason,” explains Cameron Shaw, a bar specialist at New York’s Lot 15, nestled in the back of the Kixby Hotel. “They are durable, and the relatively thin walls of the tins ensure that they form a good, tight seal from day one.”

However, he doesn't recommend banging the ends of the tins together to seal them when double shaking—otherwise, this will cause the weighted caps to come off prematurely. Amy Wong, of Portland’s King Tide Fish & Shell, notes that while these tins are industry favorites, they take a while to get used to. “They can be hard to seal the first few times, but that means they will last longer,” she says. “It’s like breaking in quality leather shoes—they are hard and cause soreness at first, but they eventually mold, and you never want to get another pair.”

During testing, we loved the weight of these shaking tins and felt like we had more control than a traditional cobbler shaker; it was easy to grip. Each tin (large and small) holds two drinks and is made from weighted stainless steel. We love that this set comes in classic silver or a glamorous option of sleek rose gold, gold, or black. We also noted these were good for making batch cocktails while entertaining.

These shakers tend to show every drip of liquid, so if that bugs you, our tester has a suggestion: Buy a microfiber towel to dry them off with, which will help keep them nice and shiny. Ultimately, our testers felt these shakers were heavy, well-made, and worth the price.

Crafthouse by Fortessa Signature Collection Shaker Set

Releases easily

Dishwasher-safe parts

Did not leak

Must hand wash muddler

Construction felt a little flimsy

Take your bartending skills to the next level by investing in this high-quality cocktail set from Crafthouse by Fortessa. Designed by renowned bartender Charles Joly, this four-piece set comes with everything you need to make cocktails: a two-piece Boston shaker, a 2-ounce jigger, a Hawthorne strainer, and a muddler. The 15-ounce shaker, strainer, and jigger are made of stainless steel and are dishwasher safe, while the 11.5-inch muddler is made of rich black walnut and should be washed by hand.

During testing, we found this set to be one of the most comprehensive, easy-to-use, and aesthetically pleasing of the lineup. We found that the tins were well constructed and beautiful, although the strainer looked a tiny bit flimsier than some of the others. The tins felt great in the hand, separated easily, did not leak, and the strainer poured just fine. The muddler was simply an added bonus.

One thing our tester noted, though, was that the construction wasn't quite up to par. The tapered foot base of the bottom part of the shaker was aesthetically pleasing, but it was so poorly attached it came apart after only three uses.

Style: Boston | Material:  Stainless steel |  Capacity:  15 ounces |  Dishwasher-Safe:  Everything except the muddler

Liquor.com / Tim Fatato

Best Splurge

Cocktail kingdom coley shaker.

Silver-plated finish

Stylish design and package

Not ideal for beginners

Tins can be hard to separate

“For the home enthusiast, I am also loving the design and construction of the Coley shaker,” says Escalante. “[It will] get the job done while also bringing some style to your home bar.”

Its design is inspired by cocktail historians David Wondrich and Greg Boehm’s private collection, though the name is a nod to Ada "Coley" Coleman, a trailblazing female bartender from the turn of the century. The two-piece cocktail shaker is also made to an exacting standard and has an 18-ounce capacity.

“The Coley can be a bit more expensive than the brands we use daily, but it comes back to design and construction,” continues Escalante. “Not to mention the silver-plated finish that will surely impress those you plan to entertain.”

While we agree with Escalante on the design and style factors, we had a particularly hard time separating the two tins from one another. There’s no doubt that the design is sleek, and unlike the design of other cocktail tins, these two pieces didn’t have much overhang; the two pieces nearly almost clicked together. However, the fit was sealed pretty tight, and we had a hard time separating the two tins from each other.

The design and packaging of this product are stylish, and it will look beautiful on your home bar. That said, this may not be the best choice for the novice at-home bartender.

Style: Boston | Material:  Silver-Plated EPNS |  Capacity:  18 ounces |  Dishwasher-Safe:  No

Related: The Best Bar Carts

Best Weighted

Barfly basics cocktail set.

For Nate Fishman, the two-piece Boston shaker from Barfly is his go-to cocktail shaker set: “I recommend them to bartenders for their weight and durability—not to mention that they are cheaper than many of the other shaker sets on the market.” The shakers are plated in 18/8 stainless steel to keep pitting and corrosion at bay and come in various finishes, including copper, antique copper, vintage black, and gunmetal black. One drawback of such finishes is that these pieces need to be hand-washed.

Each set includes an 18- and 28-ounce shaker set, as well as a Japanese-style jigger designed with an elongated shape to give smooth, easy pours. Each jigger has a dual-side ounce and two-ounce pourers. Also included is a 13-inch teardrop-end bar spoon and a heavy-duty Hawthorn strainer—all you need to churn out a cocktail or four. And as far as a set goes, this one is affordable.

In terms of functionality, this kit was easy to use, and the tins were very durable. There was no leakage, and the product was sturdy. We found the addition of the bar spoon to be a nice touch. The packaging and design were simple, but we appreciated the utilitarian quality of the shaking tins and other tools included.

Style: Boston | Material:  18-8 Stainless steel |  Capacity:  18- and 28-ounce shaker tins |  Dishwasher-Safe:  No

Final Verdict

Cocktail Kingdom Leopold Weighted Shaker Tins are considered the industry standard. Through rigorous testing, they've also proved to be the best in terms of performance, design, and cleanup. For the first-time drink maker or home bartender, the Rabbit Double Walled Twist-to-Lock Stainless Steel Cocktail Shaker is easy to use and quick to clean.

Other Options to Consider

• Kotai Copper Cocktail Boston Shaker Set : Kotai’s shaker is a glass-on-tin Boston shaker that consists of a 28-ounce steel shaking tin and a weighty 16-ounce glass to fit inside it. The tin is made of 18/8 stainless steel, finished without seams for a streamlined look. Thicker gauge steel makes for sturdier construction and gives a heaviness to the cocktail shaker. While many Boston shakers are made of tin for more secure shakes, the glass rim on this Kotai shaker is tempered—the rim is heated up and cooled down for durable glass that won’t crack or shatter as you shake a cocktail or break the seal.

Our Testing Process

All of the products featured in this list of cocktail shakers were carefully chosen by our editors and writers and then fully tested. We also talked to experts to get their input and expertise, including Brandon Lockman , bar manager at Oswego Lake Country Club, Isabella Marriott, former head bartender at Brooklyn’s Bar Beau, Deena Sayers , a beverage strategist at Doña Vega Mezcal, Tom Levron , minister of spirits at BHAKTA Spirits in California, Cameron Shaw, a bar specialist at New York’s Lot 15, and Amy Wong, of Portland’s King Tide Fish & Shell.

We looked at how easy the shakers were to use, the design and aesthetics, the overall performance, and how easy they were to clean. The overall value of each product was also taken into consideration.

What to Look for When Buying a Cocktail Shaker

Shakers come in a variety of sizes, from single-serving to crowd-sized. If you just want a shaker large enough for a happy hour for one, a small 12-ounce shaker will do. If you’re looking to craft cocktails for a crowd, opt for a shaker that holds at least 28 ounces. This will save you time by giving you the space to craft many cocktails at once.

Ease of Use

Is this your first time with a cocktail shaker of any kind? If that's the case, you'll likely want one that eliminates variables and is as easy as possible to use (and clean). For those who are more familiar with shakers or want to use them for batch cocktail making, the ease of use might not be quite as important. It all depends on your level of comfort with any (or all) of the types of shakers.

Material is crucial in a shaker. You want your shaker to last for a long time, and low-quality metals will rust, tarnish, and chip with wear. Higher-quality stainless steel is your best bet—it will remain shiny and new after years of shaking. 

One way to prolong the life of your shakers is to avoid letting them sit in the dishwasher overnight (the steam will corrode the finish or plating) and wash them by hand to keep the finish looking new. If you work in a high-volume bar or if you’ve got a bad case of butterfingers, avoid glass shakers.

Pro bartenders swear by a shaker with weight. With a weighted shaker, one tin will have weight to it, while the other is unweighted. This gives a tighter seal and adds rigidity. The real bonus here, though, is it’s easier on your arms.

What are the different types of cocktail shakers? 

Shakers come in all forms and sizes, but two reign in the category: cobbler and Boston . Cobbler is a household favorite made up of three parts: a tin, a cap, and a built-in strainer.

Professional bartenders tend to gravitate towards a Boston shaker. Composed of two 12- and 28-ounce mixing tins (either glass or tin), these shakers provide a tight natural seal and ample room for ice and drink.

How do you use a cocktail shaker? 

Begin by filling your shaker with your cocktail ingredients in order of least expensive to most expensive. Then, fill the container with a generous amount of ice (the less ice, the quicker the drink will dilute). 

Next, if using a cobbler shaker, pop on the lid. If using a Boston shaker, seal your tins. Shake the tins generously until the sides have frosted over and are cool to the touch—generally around 15 seconds or longer if working with egg whites. Strain to remove ice chunks, herbs, and citrus seeds, and serve! 

How do you stop cocktail shakers from leaking?

This will largely depend on the quality of your shaker. A good shaker tin will create a tight seal automatically. If working with a Boston shaker, use the heel of your hand to tighten the seal.

Why Trust Liquor.com?

Vicki Denig  is a wine, spirits, and travel journalist who splits her time between New York and Paris. Her work regularly appears in major industry publications. She is the content creator and social media manager for a list of prestigious clients, including Sopexa, Paris Wine Company, Becky Wasserman, Volcanic Selections, Le Du’s Wines, Windmill Wine & Spirits, and Corkbuzz. She is a Certified Specialist of Wine.

Kate Dingwall is an experienced spirits writer and glassware collector. She has been writing about the bar and spirits world for five years, including extensive coverage of glassware. She owns a concerning amount of glassware, from art deco Karl Palda decanters to 1800s-era crystal coupes, and she’s happy to wax poetic about all of them.

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

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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

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.

Bartender-approved

High-quality finish

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.

The Spruce Eats / Kristin Stangl

The Spruce Eats / Kate Dingwall

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

Loved by bartenders

Super durable

Good insulation

Easy to clean

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.

Double-walled finish keeps drinks cold

Coated in non-slip material

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.

Incredibly stylish

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

Georg Jensen Sky Cocktail Shaker

Bold design

Easy to hold

Perfect for cold martinis

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.

Rabbit 18 Ounce Glass Cocktail Shaker

Silicone leak-proof lid

Measured cocktail shaker

Silicone base

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.

Silicone grip

Lightweight construction

Perfect for two drinks

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

Serious Eats / Kate Dingwall

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

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.

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."

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.

The Spruce Eats / Abbey Littlejohn

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.

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.

• Jonathan Stanyard, a bartender at Seattle’s Feast
• Anthony Escalante, the bar manager at Wrigley Mansion in Phoenix
• Christopher Struck , beverage director of ilili
• Paul Feig, "Ghostbusters" director and founder of Artingstall’s Brilliant London Dry Gin

• Best overall
• Best cobbler
• Best budget
• Best for beginners

What to look for

How we tested, the best cocktail shakers in 2023, tested and reviewed.

When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

What's an at-home bar setup without a cocktail shaker? Hosting a cocktail party for friends is just way more fun when you can recreate those $20 craft cocktails at home. The best cocktail shaker is one that's light, durable, and chills the ingredients quickly. Shaking your cocktail dilutes and aerates the ingredients so you get a fresher and brighter drink every time. 

To test the best cocktail shakers, we made daiquiris ( a standard test for bartenders ) and blood orange whiskey sours with each contender, comparing cocktail smoothness, temperature, and volume. Our top cocktail shaker pick is the Koriko Weighted Shaking Tins , which fit together perfectly to avoid leaks and chill cocktails quickly. The classic look and stellar performance makes these tins a bartender must-have. If you're looking for a budget option to get started with, the OXO Good Grips Cocktail Shaker offers a no-leak design with a jigger measuring top and strainer. 

Learn more about how Insider Reviews tests and researches kitchen products .

Our picks for the best cocktail shakers 

Best overall: Koriko Weighted Shaking Tins - see at Amazon Beloved by bartenders everywhere, Cocktail Kingdom's no-frills Koriko Weighted Shaking Tins create consistently smooth and cold cocktails. The tins fit together well to create a leak-free seal and they're comfortable to hold and shake.

Best cobbler: BrüMate Shaker Pint - see at Brumate The sturdy BrüMate Shaker is triple-insulated to provide a condensation-free shaking experience and keep your cocktail cold in case you don't drink it right away. It also doubles as a tumbler and comes with a lid for convenient enjoyment.

Best budget: OXO Good Grips Cocktail Shaker - see at Amazon Low-cost materials and a flawed jigger design prevent the OXO Good Grips Cocktail Shaker from reaching full effectiveness. It makes a cold, integrated cocktail, but we'd only recommend it if you don't want to spend more than $10 or don't make cocktails often.

Best for beginners: Crafthouse by Fortessa Boston Shaker - see at Pottery Barn Enter the world of cocktail making confidently with the Crafthouse by Fortessa Boston Shaker Set, which is designed by a professional bartender with typical user pain points in mind. It comes with an effective Hawthorne strainer, which means less shopping around for individual parts.

Best overall: Koriko Weighted Shaking Tins

Pros: Doesn't leak, light and sturdy construction, frosts up quickly, practical size, affordable 

Cons: Strainer and jigger not included, exterior may get uncomfortably cold  

The Koriko Weighted Shaking Tins look deceptively simple, but as is the case with many of the best products out there, straightforward, thoughtful design and durable construction lead to the best cocktail shaker performance. 

In our cocktail making tests, the tins evenly mixed all the ingredients, taking the harsh edge off liquor and bringing out the subtle brightness of citrus juices. The final daiquiri and whiskey sour were mellow, balanced, and delicious. We've continued using them for the last three months, making an average of one drink a week, and their performance has been consistent throughout. 

The two tins fit well together with little effort, no aggressive jamming necessary. They never leaked while shaking, and even after I dropped them a few times from shoulder height, their seal stayed intact. These drops led to light scuffing and tiny dings, but nothing substantial. The tins were also the easiest to pop open after shaking. 

It only takes a couple seconds of shaking for the tins to frost up, and the contents get really cold: it made the coldest daiquiri and the second-coldest whiskey sour of all the contenders. The tins themselves are lightweight and comfortable to shake, but they can get uncomfortably cold since there's no added insulation. 

If you're looking for efficiency and ease of use, Koriko's tins deliver. Keep in mind that you still need to buy a strainer and jigger separately. They also come in gold-plated , copper-plated , and matte black versions if you like those styles, but they're not dishwasher-safe.

Another consideration for the best shaking tins was the Barfly Basics Cocktail Shaker Set . We loved the look and sturdy construction of this complete Boston shaker set (includes a jigger, bar spoon, and strainer), though the shaker tins are less flexible and more difficult to pop open. They made smooth and cold drinks that tasted a bit brighter and citrus-forward than other contenders and didn't leak during shaking or pouring.

Best cobbler: BrüMate Shaker Pint

Pros: Doubles as drinking vessel, triple-insulated, built-in strainer, variety of colors 

Cons: Doesn't come with jigger, strainer doesn't always catch small pieces of citrus and ice 

The Brümate Shaker Pint  was the most durable and substantial cobbler shaker we tried that also didn't leak. It gets its contents really cold and decently integrated (though not as much as our Boston shaker picks). 

I loved that the triple-insulated walls kept the exterior comfortably dry as I shook the shaker. Usually, frost is an immediate indication of whether the drink is getting cold enough. It's hard to tell by feel alone with the Brümate, but in our temperature tests, it got just as cold as drinks made in non-insulated shakers. 

Unfortunately, the cap doesn't double as a jigger, like with some cobbler shakers, but there is a built-in strainer. All the parts fit together well and don't leak during shaking or pouring. For my whiskey sour test, the strainer didn't catch the smallest pieces of lemon and ice. It's not the biggest deal breaker if you don't need the most perfect drink every time; just know your cocktail may have stray ice or citrus from time to time. 

This shaker is great for casual or outdoor drinking if you want to drink directly from the vessel rather than pouring it out into a new glass. Because of the insulation, it'll stay cold, and it comes with a lid to protect your drink. The bottom is reinforced with a non-slip grip material to prevent spills whether it's set on a kitchen countertop or outdoor deck. 

If you drop the shaker while shaking, it will break apart and spill the contents on the floor. However, the actual parts are strong and won't suffer any damage.

Another consideration for the best cobbler shaker was the Elevated Craft Cocktail Shaker . This 25-oz. cobbler shaker is large, rugged, and able to make up to four drinks at a time. Its measuring cap only measures in 1 oz. increments, and it was the only cobbler shaker we tried that had a screw-on top, which guaranteed against leakage. Though it mixed drinks evenly, we think it's ultimately best for travel or group situations due to the design.

Best budget: OXO Good Grips Cocktail Shaker

Pros: Affordable, lightweight, easy to shake, double-insulated, built-in strainer 

Cons: Materials aren't durable, strainer doesn't always catch small pieces of citrus and ice, jigger design is messy and doesn't include useful measurements 

It can be pricey to build a bar cart of equipment and ingredients. Whether you're a casual entertainer who doesn't anticipate daily happy hours at home or you're new to cocktail making and don't want to splurge right away, OXO's Good Grips Shaker is a solid, budget-friendly option. If you're more serious about home bartending, we recommend investing in one of our other best cocktail shaker picks. 

The shaker is comfortable to hold and the top section is coated with a non-slip material, making it even more difficult for your hands to lose their grip as you're shaking. Since it's made from plastic instead of the usual stainless steel, it's light and easy to shake. 

Surprisingly, this shaker, despite being made of plastic, also got the contents really cold. The final cocktails didn't taste as smooth or balanced, and that's likely because there isn't enough space for all the ice and ingredients to move around in the small shaker. Still, they didn't taste bad at all. 

The cap has handy (in theory) measurement markings for ¾ oz., 1 oz., and 1.5 oz. I would've found it even more useful if it had a ½ oz. marking, which is also common in recipes. In addition, the 1.5 oz. mark sits too closely to the top edge of the conical cap, meaning you have to be extra careful and slow as you pour ingredients in or they risk spilling out. Lastly, if you do choose to use the cap as a jigger, it could make the rest of the shaker slightly sticky once you flip it over and reattach it as a cap.

Best for beginners: Crafthouse by Fortessa Boston Shaker

Pros: Designed by an expert, doesn't leak, frosts up quickly, sturdy construction, includes strainer 

Cons: Jigger not included, harder to pop open than the Koriko 

For the uninitiated, the Crafthouse tins feel approachable since they're a little smaller than average, ergonomic, and conveniently include a well-made strainer. 

Like the Koriko tins, this Crafthouse set helps make consistently smooth, cold, and delicious cocktails. It's a little heavier and thicker than the Koriko, but I liked that the bottoms have ridges to provide a better grip while shaking. The tins fit into each other well but were slightly harder to release from each other than the Koriko set. 

The tins frost up within a couple seconds of shaking and get really cold, in fact yielding the coldest whiskey sour of all the contenders (29°F). It also produced a nice, even layer of foam that wasn't too thin. While shaking, there was no leakage, and the tins didn't break apart in my drop tests. 

The included Hawthorne strainer was also excellent: the coils fit inside and the wings fit over the large tin comfortably, and all the tiny holes strained the contents completely. You can complete the set with the jigger , which is two-sided and has all the appropriate and common measurements.

Material: A stainless steel cocktail shaker is the best tried and true option. Stainless steel is durable and lightweight, but it also makes drinks very cold very quickly when used with ice. This material is easy to clean and dishwasher-safe. 

Size: Cocktail shakers range in size and typically hold between 18 and 28 ounces. Consider how often you're making cocktails for a big crowd. If you regularly host cocktail parties with friends, a roomy shaker might be best. If you usually just have cocktails for two, a smaller size will take up less room in your cabinets.

Included accessories: You need a shaker, jigger, and strainer to make cocktails. Do you already own the jigger and strainer, or do you need all three in one set? It can be more convenient to buy a shaker with a built-in jigger lid and strainer. Shaking tins typically don't come with the extra accessories, so keep them in mind when shopping. 

Seal strength and durability: Nothing's worse than shaking up your cocktail and spilling half the drink in the process. A good seal is essential to make sure you're not losing your liquor as you mix up the ingredients. When shopping for a cocktail shaker, pay attention to reviews that discuss the seal strength and how well two parts of the tin fit together — a just-right fit means a solid seal.

For each cocktail, we noted and compared the following: 

• Taste, consistency, and smoothness: Whether the ingredients were incorporated evenly and if the cocktail tasted balanced. 
• Temperature: How cold the cocktail was after shaking. 
• Volume: The final volume after shaking, to see the effect of the shaker on ice melt and dilution. 

An example of our test results:

To test seal strength and overall durability of the best cocktail shakers, we filled each shaker with 5 oz. water and ½ cup of ice, created a tight seal or closed the lid (depending on whether it was a Boston or cobbler shaker), and dropped it on concrete ground from shoulder height three times. We noted if the seal broke, scratches and dings to the shaker, and other durability issues. 

To test ease of use , we noted the size, weight, feel, comfort, and any leakage of each shaker. 

Daiquiri recipe used: 

• 2 ounces light rum (Bacardi) 
• 1 ounce lime juice (fresh-squeezed) 
• ¾ ounces simple syrup 
• ½ cup ice 

Blood orange whiskey sour recipe used:

• 2 ounces whiskey (Kikori) 
• 1.5 ounces blood orange juice (Stirrings) 
• 0.5 ounces lemon juice (fresh-squeezed) 
• 1 ounce simple syrup
• 1 egg white 

Cocktail shaker and home bartending FAQs

Why do you need a cocktail shaker in the first place?

"As a general rule of thumb, cocktails that contain only spirits are stirred," said Charles Joly, a Diageo World Class bartending champion, official bartender for the Oscars and Emmys, and founder of Crafthouse Cocktails . "Stirring chills, dilutes, combines ingredients, and adds texture, but that last point is the big difference. Stirring doesn't aerate the cocktail like shaking does." 

Stir: Cocktails containing only spirits, like a Negroni, Manhattan, or martini ("Yes, James Bond was wrong, you do not shake a martini," emphasized Ivy Mix, partner at FIASCO! Wine and Spirits and head bartender and co-owner of cocktail bar Leyenda ). 

Shake: Cocktails containing citrus, egg white, and other non-alcoholic ingredients, like a daiquiri, whiskey sour, or Cosmopolitan.

What's the difference between a Boston shaker and a cobbler shaker? Which one is better? 

A Boston shaker has two parts — two tins that you push together to create a natural seal. The measuring jigger and strainer are distinct parts and may be sold separately or as part of a larger Boston shaker set. A cobbler shaker has three parts — one large tin, a much smaller top piece that is screwed on or placed on top and contains a built-in strainer, and a cap. Sometimes the cap or smaller top piece has interior measurement markings so it can double as a jigger.

Functionally, cobbler shakers are more likely to leak and they're smaller, making it harder to shake and "whip in sufficient amounts of air," according to Chetiyawardana. But because they have a built-in strainer and you don't need to learn how to create a natural seal, they may be more approachable and convenient to use for some people. 

Boston shakers could have a learning curve because you must place one tin in the other at the correct angle in order to create a tight seal. However, well-designed and sized Boston shaker tins should fit perfectly in each other and are also easy to release. They're also really durable, and in our durability tests, they suffered the least damage. When dropped on the ground, they hold all the contents in. Even if you have a too-vigorous shaking session and the shaker slips from your hands, your cocktail will still be safe. Like most professional bartenders, we prefer the Boston shaker.

How do you shake a cocktail shaker? How long do you shake it? 

Be vigorous. "The key is you want to shake it awake, not rock it to sleep...I recommend channeling your inner quarterback and really getting some movement in there, being sure to put a hand on the top and the bottom of the shaker so nothing explodes," said Mix. 

Our experts recommended anywhere from 10 to 20 seconds and explained that the exact duration can depend on the ingredients, amount of ice, and specific cocktail. The biggest thing to remember is that you need to shake until the outside frosts up. 

For a Boston shaker, insert the small tin into the larger tin at an angle so that you create a flat line on one side. Apply some pressure to seal, and hold the shaker with two hands. "I like to keep my pointer and index finger on the top of the outside tin and my thumb over the top of the tin closest to me," said Joly.

What brands do bartenders like and use? 

"Cocktail Kingdom is tried and true and I also love Charles Joly's Fortessa Shaker," said Mix.  Holborough also cited Cocktail Kingdom, while Joly recommended Eric Lorinz' Birdy shaker . Chetiyawardana favors Japanese and German brands in general to find the best cocktail shaker.

Some final tips and tricks 

• If using a Boston shaker, shake with the small tin facing you. In case of any leakage, the liquid will land on you instead of your audience. 
• If you want to make a cocktail but don't have the best cocktail shaker on hand, you can always use Tupperware or a jam jar, said Chetiyawardana. "A shaker simply gives you comfort and control."

Cocktail shakers glossary

Dry shake: Shaking cocktail ingredients together without ice, typically done for cocktails containing egg white or cream. The higher temperature lets the ingredients mix together better and create more aeration, resulting in a thicker foam. 

Wet shake: Shaking cocktail ingredients together with ice, which help dilute and chill the drink. 

Jigger: A small, usually two-sided measuring cup that you use to measure and pour liquid ingredients. The standard size is 1.5 ounces on one side and 0.75 ounces on the other. There may be additional, smaller markings inside. 

Hawthorne strainer: A common type of strainer that is flat and has small holes, a spring on one side, a finger tab or indentation on the other side, and sometimes side wings. It's placed spring side down over the opening of the shaker. 

Muddler: A tool used to mash fruits, herbs, or spices to bring out their flavors. Drinks like mojitos and mint juleps require muddling. 

18/8 stainless steel: A type of stainless steel that is made up of 18% chromium and 8% nickel. It's extremely resistant to corrosion and commonly used in commercial food processing equipment.

You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here . Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at [email protected] .

• Main content

A Guide to the Essential Travel Cocktail Kit

Be prepared for any party with the quintessential travel cocktail kit!

[Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through those links at no additional cost to you. I recommend products because I find them helpful or interesting, and as always all thoughts and opinions are my own.]

We all know the motto – Be Prepared. I am a huge cocktail nerd, so in my case, an emergency situation is a home without the proper bar tools. Invite me to a party, and you’ll be sure to find me toting along a few essential items and – if I really like you – maybe even some simple syrup or special liqueurs to use as mixers.

If you love mixing up cocktails for your friends as much as I do, this list is for you. The guide below has everything you need to pull together your own travel cocktail kit (or even just an update to your home bar).

The Essential Cocktail Kit

While my home bar includes some glass pieces, when I’m traveling stainless steel is queen. Easy to clean, easy to pack, and best of all, always durable no matter who might decide to take a turn with your bar tools.

Pack up these items for your own travel cocktail kit, or pull a few together and make the perfect gift for the budding mixologist in your life. With these tools on hand, you can’t go wrong:

• Stainless Steel Boston Shaker : I prefer the style of this two-piece set over the three-piece cobbler shaker due to its versatility, capacity for making multiple drinks at once, and ease of cleaning. Either half of the boston shaker can also double nicely as a mixing “glass” for stirred cocktails.
• Weighted Barspoon : The ideal tool for perfectly your stirring technique.
• Japanese Jigger : Any two sided jigger will do, but I’ve grown fond of this style, which has the various ounce measurements etched into the inside for easy portioning.
• Hawthorne Strainer : First patented in the late 19th century, the Hawthorne Strainer is a specific type of sieve used to filter ice out of a mixed drink as its poured into a serving glass. Unlike the Julep Strainer, which is more like a bowl and typically used with a mixing glass, the Hawthorne Strainer has a metal spring that helps it fit snugly into the tin of the Boston Shaker.
• Produce Knife : I love this knife! Unlike a traditional paring knife, the produce knife does not have a sharp tip – instead the tip is flat, leaving just a straight blade that is perfect for cutting up simple garnishes. I like that it packs up easily and I don’t have to worry about damaging the tip or it slicing through my bag.
• Tiny Cutting Board: A small cutting board always comes in handy, and can double as a bar mat if you don’t want to leave stains on the counter. You can go with plastic non-slip or bamboo , to your preference.
• Carrying Case: You can always get yourself an expensive kit or travel bag , but personally? I go with four-bottle re-usable wine bag. It’s light weight, has plenty of space for all my tools, and easily replaced if necessary. .

A Few Fun Extras

Have a little extra room in your bag? These additional pieces will make you look like a cocktail pro:

• Bio-degradable Cocktail Straws
• Travel-Sized Bitters
• Superfine sugar
• Bourbon Soaked Cherries ( store-bought or homemade )
• Lemon or Lime Juice (just remember to refrigerate after opening)
• Tiny umbrellas, fancy garnish picks, swizzle sticks, or other accessories.

What are your party essentials? Anything you might add to your cocktail kit? Let us know in the comments!

Like what you see? Please consider contributing to  Feast In Thyme  on  Patreon , a crowd-funding platform designed to show your support to independent artists, writers, podcasters, and more. Even the smallest donations are more than appreciated, and all monies raised goes toward supporting this website, expanding our skill sets, and – most of all – continuing to build a wonderful community around a love of every day entertaining and delicious recipes.

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The 6 Best Cocktail Shakers Of 2023

Shaken, not stirred.

Delish editors handpick every product we feature. We may earn commission from the links on this page.

Best Overall

Cocktail kingdom set of koriko weighted shaking tins.

Best For Gripping

Crafthouse by fortessa boston cocktail shaker.

Best Boston Shaker

Oxo steel single wall cocktail shaker.

Best For Travel

Brümate cocktail shaker.

Williams Sonoma Stainless-Steel Cocktail Shaker 8 oz.

A Bar Above Boston Shaker Set

Justin Sullivan , Delish's assistant food editor, loves the Cocktail Kingdom Koriko Weighted Shaking Tins , which are designed to fit together snugly, but also separate easily. The stainless steel set can hold up to 28 ounces and can also be purchased separately .

The stainless steel Crafthouse by Fortessa Boston Cocktail Shaker is a favorite of Delish Editorial Assistant Gabby Romero . It was designed by World Champion Bartender Charles Joly with a ribbed design. There's a foot at the bottom to improve grip, so it's ideal for beginners or those with small hands. The inside of the shaker also includes measurements for easy pouring.

The cobbler-style OXO Steel Single Wall Cocktail Shaker has two silicone gaskets to keep leaks at bay. "It is the first shaker we have ever owned that doesn't leak and is really easy to open," said one reviewer .

The BrüMate Cocktail Shaker doubles as a tumbler with a splash and leak-proof lid that you can drink out of. Plus, you won't have to worry about your drink getting warm because the stainless-steel body is triple-insulated.

Perfect for a single drink, the eight-ounce Williams Sonoma Stainless-Steel Cocktail Shaker is a great for gifting or parties where guests want to mix their own drink. The watertight lid holds half of a shot.

To round out your home bar, you can't go wrong with the A Bar Above's Boston Shaker Set , which comes with a stainless steel shaker set, jigger, and strainer. " It looks nice, is easy to clean, and has all the pieces to get you started on your bar," said one reviewer . "I love the jigger because it has so many measurements."

How we picked these products

To make a good drink, you need good tools. That's why we spent a lot of time selecting the best cocktail shakers. We asked Delish staff and pored over reviews to craft a list that features different styles and price points.

What's the difference between Boston and cobbler shakers?

A Boston shaker is what you'll often see bartenders using, but it can be a little challenging for beginners. The two tins fit tightly together, but need a good smack to come apart. It usually has a larger capacity than a cobbler shaker.

A cobbler shaker has all of the components you need to mix a drink: the tin, a built-in strainer, and a cap (which can usually be used as a jigger).

Expertise: food & culture (Sustainability, Health, Travel)

Education: M.S. in Journalism from Columbia University, B.S. in Information Science (User Experience Design) from the University of Michigan

About Me: As the Associate Editor at Delish, Allie is a writer, reporter, and producer of features at the intersection of food and culture. Before Delish, Allie worked for publications including Apartment Therapy and Insider. She even spent time working in restaurants and breweries. Allie has dumpster-dived in NYC to expose food waste, reported on the invasive lionfish you can eat , and wrote about the growing trend of weed weddings . Her health and nutrition stories on hydration culture , bananas , and coffee have generated nearly 2M combined views. She loves traveling, running, and eating her way through new places and even has a thorough Google Maps ranking system for her favorite restaurants and bars! When not writing about food, she's planning her next trip, lifting weights, or training for a race.  

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The Best Cocktail Shakers, Tested and Reviewed

By Noah Kaufman

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

There are dozens of bar tools out there, but finding the best cocktail shaker should be a top priority if you're looking to perfect your home bar setup. That's because as much fun as an atomizer or an ice pick can be, as handy as a muddler or bar spoon are, and as beautiful as a cut crystal mixing glass is, the truth is you can get by with just three things in a bar set: a jigger, a strainer, and, most importantly, a cocktail shaker.

Cocktail Kingdom Leopold Weighted Shaker

Yukiwa Cobbler Shaker

MTC Kitchen

OXO Stainless Steel Single Wall Shaker

I’ve shaken a lot of drinks over the years, but I wanted some professional advice as I began to test the best cocktail shakers on the market. So reached out to Julia Momose, the force behind Chicago’s Kumiko and the co-author of The Way of the Cocktail , an exquisite guide to Japanese cocktail traditions and techniques. She emphasized one thing: The best cocktail shaker won’t be the same for everyone. Picking a shaker, she says, “starts with you as a human, as a person: How big are your hands? How strong is your grip? Do you suffer from arthritis?” It also matters who you want to make drinks for. Is it just you and your partner? Do you throw dinner parties ? Do you have a weekly margarita happy hour where the neighbors all come over to vent about their kids?

Given that the single best cocktail shaker for me might not be the best fit for you, what you’ll find below is a carefully tested guide to the best-functioning shakers for home bartenders in a few different categories, so you can figure out which one meets your drink needs best. Read on for the top picks and how they were chosen.

Two-piece shakers vs. three-piece shakers

A crucial decision all cocktail lovers have to make when setting up their home bar is whether they’re a two-piece shaker person or a three-piece shaker person. The two-piece shaker, sometimes called a Boston shaker, is basically just two metal cups that nest together at a slight angle. They easily come apart when you smack the heel of your hand at the spot where the two pieces begin to separate. In the past, you’d more commonly see a version with one shaker tin and one pint glass—beginners should probably avoid these, since they require more strength to use than mixing a drink should, and can be a bit trickier to separate after shaking. While not super likely, shaking with glass means that you could end up with a fist full of broken shards while you’re trying to make a mojito.

Two-piece shakers are sometimes available in larger sizes than three-piece shakers are. Momose will use a larger two-piece shaker if she has to make several drinks at once. She also notes that the technique is a bit different: “When I use a two-piece shaker I shake more intensely,” she says, in order to properly aerate the drink inside. If you shake too softly, she says, you end up with something that is cold, but not aerated, which just won’t be as richly textured and nice to drink. The last thing to remember about a two-piece shaker is that you need to get a separate strainer (probably a hawthorne strainer ) to keep all the extra ice and any other solids out of the glass.

The three-piece shaker (also called a cobbler shaker) is composed of a shaker tin, a lid with a built-in strainer and a top that goes over that strainer. These types of shakers come in a couple of sizes, around 300 milliliters (good for one drink) or around 500 milliliters. While they require less force to use effectively, three-piece shakers require you to use both hands when shaking, to make sure everything stays together—to do so, place a thumb over the cap while shaking. But Momose explains that because you don’t have to shake as hard to properly aerate the drink, you break less ice in the tin, which means the drink will be a bit less watered down. (If you’re starting witth a particularly high-proof mixture, you can simply shake for longer if more dilution is needed.)

Best Boston shaker: Cocktail Kingdom Leopold Weighted Shaker

I really love some of the pricier shakers below, but the Leopold Weighted Shaker from Cocktail Kingdom is, hands down, the best value cocktail shaker I tried. It's fairly flexible, which means it's easy to pull apart, even after the built-up pressure of shaking egg whites. Of course, there’s a downside to this bendability, too—you have to really smack the tins together to form a tight seal—so this may not be a great shaker for absolute beginners. The rimmed bottom of each tin isn't just decorative but a smart design feature. Those rims give you something to hold on to, adding both extra leverage and real comfort to the whole process. This shaker was so nice to use that it made me sad when I realized how many years I've had a rimless shaker on my bar cart .

Best cobbler shaker: Yukiwa Cobbler Shaker

Momose specifically recommended this cobbler shaker to me, and once I tested it, I could immediately see why. The Yukiwa shaker felt easy and comfortable to hold, especially for someone with smaller hands. It offered a tight seal, but still opened more easily than the other cobblers I tried. It also produced the best layer of egg white foam of any shaker, two-piece or three-piece, in a pisco sour , which is a good indication that it aerates well. This shaker comes in three sizes, but unless you regularly make drinks for four or more people, I’d recommend the 500 milliliter option. Momose shared one helpful tip that applies to all cobbler shakers: After you fill the shaker, lift the cap a tiny bit to “burp” it and let some excess air out. That helps avoid leakage or explosions.

Best cocktail shaker for beginners: OXO Stainless Steel Single Wall Shaker

OXO’s three-piece shaker comes with some training wheels in the form of dishwasher-safe silicone gaskets for the lid and the top, making it essentially leak-proof. It’s big for a cobbler shaker though—24 ounces—which makes it a little less appealing for one or two cocktails at a time. The daiquiri I made ended up getting a little watered down, I think because the ice banged around inside so much. The spout is also narrower than the spouts of much smaller shakers, which I found wasn’t the best for pouring the shaken egg white of the pisco sour. The cap doubles as a jigger and is measured in ¼ ounce increments (necessary for lots of cocktail recipes), so theoretically this could be the only piece of bar equipment you own.

What I looked for

Did the shaker feel weighty enough to contain the drink, but light enough to maneuver? Did it fit well in my hands? The models above worked best for me, but my hands are on the smaller side. If you have particularly large hands you may want to go with a bigger shaker.

This was my primary concern going in. There is nothing worse in cocktail making than a leaky shaker. I have had bad luck, particularly with cobbler shakers, with leaks and sticky messes all over the counter.

Momose gave me a couple of signs to look for that might suggest a shaker was poorly constructed. For example, she said that if you feel around the rim and it’s unfinished, the shaker is likely shoddily produced. Ideally, you want finished edges and weighty bottoms.

I wanted drinks that came out properly (but not overly) diluted and well-aerated. Shakers got docked if they produced flat results or too much dilution.

How I tested

For these tests, I made a few different types of cocktail in each shaker. To determine how well the shakers fared with egg whites, I tried our favorite recipe for a pisco sour . As the egg white expands and foams during shaking, it can build up a lot of pressure, so if a shaker was prone to leaking this would show it. I also made daiquiris in each shaker, mostly because I like to drink them, but also because a properly shaken daiquiri can show off how well the shaker can aerate a drink.

Other shakers I tested

Usagi Cobbler Shaker : This is a nice, heavy cobbler shaker that performed well, and I really liked the indentation in the cap to set my thumb in during shaking. It didn’t open as easily as the Yukiwa, though.

Koriko Weighted Shaking Tins : The Koriko was the most flexible two-piece shaker that I tried; it was very easy to pop apart. The flip side of that, though, is that it can leak. I would recommend using two hands and avoiding any Tom Cruise flair bartending tricks. But the pluses outweigh the minuses here. It ran a close second to the Leopold for me and is a choice of a lot of professional bartenders for good reason.

Crafthouse by Fortessa Boston Shaker : This is a handsome set that, like the Leopold, had a rim on the larger of the two shaking tins. Unlike the Leopold, however, the rim was sharp instead of rounded, making it quite unpleasant to use. This shaker held its seal tightly, but I couldn’t get over the way it dug into my palm.

A Bar Above Premium Cocktail Shaker Set : This shaker was in-between in terms of stiffness and flexibility. Unfortunately it leaked during the pisco sour preparation, and was hard to separate in both tests.

Piña Barware Stainless Steel Commercial Boston Shaker Set : This was far and away the stiffest shaker I tried. It was also the heaviest. It felt quite nice to use, and didn’t leak. It was so stiffly constructed, though, that I cut myself a little while getting it apart. If you’re bigger than I am, and can put a little more weight into this one, it would probably work great for you.

Tovolo Stainless Steel Cocktail Shaker : Tovolo makes a lot of products I like, but this unusual shaker didn’t work for me. Technically, this is a three-piece shaker, but the design is flawed. The lid screws on and has a huge plastic cap, which is supposed to double as a jigger, but is only measured in whole ounces making it effectively useless for most cocktails. It also has a detachable citrus reamer that clips into the strainer but again, doesn’t allow for accurate measurements. It’s trying to be an all-in-one tool but wasn’t designed for anyone who is precise about their drinks.

Crate & Barrel Fenton Cocktail Shaker : While stylish and easy to open and close, this cobbler shaker never sealed well during my tests, and leaked several times.

The takeaway

Cocktail shakers aren’t a one-size-fits-all piece of equipment. If you are a smaller person and often make one drink at a time, consider a three-piece shaker like the Yukiwa. If you prefer to put more muscle into shaking, love popping open two tins, or have a lot of dinner parties, get the Koriko. And if, above all, you don’t want any leaks, rest easy with the OXO steel.

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One of Food & Wine’s Top-Tested Cocktail Shakers Has Been My Go-To for Years—and It’s 35% Off

Say goodbye to painful, frozen hands.

Much like cooking and baking, preparing a smooth, perfectly chilled cocktail starts with the right equipment . Aside from making a decorative statement on your bar cart, a cocktail shaker is imperative to crafting drinks from cosmopolitans and martinis to sidecars and more — and a good one makes all the difference. 

If you’re anything like my husband and me, your at-home cocktail game has ramped up in the last few years. In an attempt to make the brazenly cold martinis we enjoy ordering out in our own kitchen, I knew we needed a shaker that could turn down the heat (so to speak). Enter the Elevated Craft Hybrid Cocktail Shaker — our go-to and Food & Wine’s top-tested pick that’s currently 35 percent off at Nordstrom in the gunmetal black finish. 

Elevated Craft Hybrid Cocktail Shaker

The shaker insulates the cold so well that it eliminates the admittedly painful chill that transfers to your hands when trying to shake up your drink. We found that this added insulation meant we could better control how cold we got our drinks without any discomfort. The double-walled insulation is so strong that this shaker can also double as a storage vessel for premixed drinks. Since my husband typically handles the drinks when friends or family are over, he likes to make a batch cocktail and store it in this shaker to serve throughout the night.

While the impressive insulation is our favorite feature, the added elements make it stand out. The screw-top design eliminates the minor spillage we used to get when shaking cocktails in traditional shakers, and the built-in strainer means it’s easier to control your pour. Plus, the top also doubles as a convenient measuring system, so every step of making a cocktail is covered in one gadget. 

This shaker was named Food & Wine’s best splurge option in testing, praising the sleek design and added features. Testers also liked that the substantial weight of the shaker provided more control when shaking but added that the higher price point meant it made for more of a splurge. Luckily, you can snag this top-rated shaker for less than $50 while it’s on sale at Nordstrom.

Add the Elevated Craft Hybrid Cocktail Shaker to your cart before the price jumps back up, and keep scrolling for more bar essentials below. 

Elevated Craft Hybrid Cocktail Glass

Vinglacé wine & champagne chiller, juliska graham cocktail shaker, more fresh finds from food & wine.

Related Articles

9 Best Cocktail Shakers, According to Kitchen Experts

Shaken, not stirred.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

The Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab teamed up with the Test Kitchen to create a list of expert-recommended cocktail shakers. Both GH teams assess a wide variety of cocktail gear and cool kitchen gadgets all year long as we test products and develop recipes, including bartending kits , glassware and so much more. (Peep some top picks in our annual Kitchen Gear Awards .)

To find our favorite cocktail shakers, we evaluated popular and highly-rated models that appeal 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 (yet functional!) to add to your bar cart.

Our top picks:

Best Overall Cocktail Shaker

Cocktail kingdom koriko large weighted shaking tin.

Best Value Cocktail Shaker

Crate&barrel stainless steel boston shaker.

Best Cobbler Cocktail Shaker

Oxo single wall cocktail shaker.

Best Cocktail Shaker for Durability

Elevated craft hybrid cocktail shaker.

Best Cocktail Shaker Set

Mixology & craft 10-piece bar tool set with bamboo stand.

Best Vintage-Style Cocktail Shaker

Viski art deco cocktail shaker.

Best Cocktail Shaker for Picnics

Stanley lifted spirits prismatic craft cocktail shaker.

Best Cocktail Shaker Design

Crafthouse by fortessa polished stainless steel boston shaker.

Best Cocktail Shaker for Beginners

Rabbit double walled twist-to-lock cocktail shaker.

After our top picks, keep reading to learn what to look for when shopping for a cocktail shaker and how to use your new bartending gear when it arrives.

Sometimes, simple is best. That’s what you get from this basic yet highly functional Boston shaker — the preferred shaker style of many professional bartenders. This streamlined and durable shaker from Cocktail Kingdom can churn out drinks quickly thanks to its simple, sturdy and easy-to-clean design . Both tins are weighted, which adds heft and creates a more secure seal than lighter tins. 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 those with smaller hands preferred this product over others, as it wasn’t overly large or heavy. The small tin easily fit into the larger one and we found they were easy to separate after shaking. Just note, they are sold separately so you will have to purchase the small weighted shaking tin to complete your set.

Crate&Barrel Stainless Steel Boston Shaker

This sleek shaker is solidly constructed and stylish at a budget-friendly price. With a 24-ounce capacity, it can hold 2 drinks at a time, and it has a handy maximum fill line to prevent overfilling. The tins aren't weighted, but according to reviewers, they seal together nicely and do not leak as you shake. And while Boston shakers are already easy to clean by hand, the brand says these are dishwasher-safe which makes clean-up even easier. If you're looking to switch from a cobbler shaker to a Boston shaker for a more professional feel and experience, this one is a great starter option.

If you prefer your cocktail-making gear in one compact package, an all-in-one cobbler shaker like this one might be for you. The cap is a measuring cup (a.k.a. a jigger) that marks every 1/2 ounce up to 1 1/2 ounces —which is what most pros consider a shot — and there is a built-in strainer in the lid. The lid is easy to attach and separate, and two silicone gaskets create a leak-proof seal. "It's comfortable to hold and easy to shake with one hand," says Nicole Papantoniou , director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab. "I never have to worry about it leaking because it has a tight seal and the lid attaches securely." The brand also claims it's dishwasher-safe.

According to the brand, a "hybrid shaker" doesn't fit into the mold of the typical Boston or cobbler shaker. Unlike a traditional three-piece cobbler shaker, this one comes with a high-capacity measuring cap (up to 6 ounces) and is made from double-walled 304 stainless steel, which is known to be resistant to corrosion and rust. It also has a more slender design than most cobbler shakers, making it easier to grip. The double-walled vacuum insulation helps prevent over-dilution of your drinks because the ice won't melt as quickly inside the shaker. It's also helpful for people with cold hands, as the frosty temps inside the shaker won't transfer as quickly to the outer walls of the shaker. Unlike Boston shakers, which can be tricky to open, this one is as easy as unscrewing a top.

Mixology & Craft 10-Piece Bar Tool Set With Bamboo Stand

If you're looking for more than just a shaker and need everything to complete your at-home mixology set , our best overall bartending kit — which comes in copper, silver and black — has you covered. In addition to a cocktail shaker, it contains a long-handled spoon for stirring, two liquor pourers to help ensure a mess-free stream and a bottle opener, which most other bartending kits we evaluated did not have. Plus, the compact wood stand keeps everything organized and will look stylish on a bar cart. It comes with 10 pieces including a jigger, muddler, strainer and more, but we wish it also had a mixing glass. It's not a deal breaker, since another glass could be substituted in its place.

Since a cocktail shaker can be the center of your entertaining, it's important to have one that matches your personality and style. With an etched art deco-inspired design and unique, straight-edged cylindrical shape , this three-piece cobbler shaker makes any cocktail-making experience a bit more elegant. Like most cobbler shakers, it comes with a metal tin, cap and built-in strainer. The eye-catching, electroplated gold finish turns it into a gift-worthy pick that's just under $50 — ideal for a housewarming or host present (or treat for yourself!). If you love Prohibition-era cocktails like a gin rickey or a sidecar, why not pick up a cocktail shaker that matches the drink?

Our petite pick of the bunch, this one is perfect for taking outside — for a beach day, camping trip or just a backyard party. "It's smaller than other Boston shakers I've tried and can be used with one hand," says Papantoniou. "The top portion fits into the base smoothly and the brushed material feels comfortable in my palm. The interior of the cups is pretty with a prism-like design." No need to bring an extra cup, because the smaller tin can be used for shaking as well as drinking. This shaker also comes in a velvety storage bag, perfect for popping into your suitcase or picnic basket. Doesn't work like it says it should? No problem — the brand offers a lifetime warranty.

While bartenders might not pick this pretty shaker (extra design elements don't necessarily maximize speed), it's wonderful for the at-home mixologist. It has many of the features of our top pick, like weighted tins designed to seal tightly, plus it has a footed base that adds interest and might even prevent accidental tip-overs. In our testing, we also found that the ridged rings around the base of each tin help you keep your grip as you shake. Pretty and practical!

In need of more gear? You can pick up this shaker as part of a cocktail-making set .

First-timer? Check out this easy-to-use model with a twist-to-lock lid that's unique and useful. That extra seal is an added safeguard against leaks, and the angled spout on the cocktail strainer is designed for more precise pouring. Double-walled stainless steel helps to keep hands warm (and drinks cold!) as you shake, so you'll come out looking like a pro even if you've never mixed a drink before. Cheers to that!

How we chose the best cocktail shakers

The Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen and Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab chose the best cocktail shakers using their research, expert opinions and decades of experience shaking up cocktails to inform their picks. We chose a variety of Boston shakers, cobbler shakers and cocktail shakers that included unique features like an included cap with liquid measurements, extra grips for your hands, interesting design elements or special seals to help prevent leaks. Testers shook up some 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. Boston shakers consist of two metal tins that fit into one another. This creates a tight seal, but they can be tricky to open and you’ll need a separate strainer to serve your cocktail. Cobbler shakers include a metal tin, a built-in strainer and a cap. They’re easier to use but don't always seal as tightly as a Boston shaker which could lead to leaks. The design of a Parisian shaker is in between: It’s shaped like a cobbler shaker but doesn’t have a strainer or cap. This type is stylish but harder to find.

✔️ Material: Most modern cocktail shakers (and all of the ones on this list) are made of stainless steel — either brushed or polished. We’ve seen some plastic and glass models, but prefer steel for its weight and durability. You can also look for “double-walled” options, which are constructed of two stainless steel walls separated by air. This helps insulate the cup, keeping frosty temps inside and avoiding frozen hands as you shake.

✔️ Capacity: Most cocktail shakers can hold 12 to 28 ounces of liquid. Choose a smaller option for shaking up 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 lbs.) have the potential to be sturdier, lighter models (under 1 lb.) might be preferable if you have smaller hands. Check out the diameter of the tin to make sure you can fit your fingers around it.

✔️ Special features: The most basic cocktail shakers are simple metal tins but some offer features like a max fill line to avoid overflows, integrated measurements so you can see how much of each ingredient you’re pouring and non-slip grips on the side. While these aren’t necessary elements, they can be nice to have.

How to use a cocktail shaker

• Pour your ingredients into the cocktail shaker tin. This allows you to make any adjustments to your recipe before you put the ice in.
• Fill the shaker with ice, at least until it covers the liquid. Secure the lid or top shaker tin.
• Place hands on the top and bottom pieces 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 roughly 30 seconds, or until the outside of the shaker frosts up. (Note: This won’t necessarily happen if you’re using a double-walled or insulated model.)
• Strain your cocktail into a glass.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

Samantha MacAvoy is the editorial assistant in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, where she writes about tasty food and drink recipes, must-try products and top-tested secrets for home cooking success. She tested several cocktail shakers side-by-side and, in her free time, is an avid home bartender. To produce this story, she consulted with Nicole Papantoniou , the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, and Kate Merker , the Chief Food Director of the Hearst Lifestyle Group.

Samantha (she/her) is an Assistant Editor in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, where she writes about tasty recipes, must-try food products and top-tested secrets for home cooking success. She has taste-tasted hundreds of products and recipes since joining GH in 2020 (tough job!). A graduate of Fordham University, she considers the kitchen to be her happiest place.

Elevated Craft® Hybrid Cocktail Shaker

Premium Vacuum Insulated Hybrid Cocktail Shaker

Make perfect craft cocktails at home with your new Elevated Craft Hybrid Cocktail Shaker. Designed to impress, engineered to perform and guaranteed to elevate your cocktail experience. 

• Innovative Measuring System
• Double-wall vacuum-insulated
• Pro-Grade Brushed 304 Stainless Steel
• Individually Boxed in High Quality Gift Packaging
• 28 oz Total Volume

What is a “Hybrid Cocktail Shaker”? A hybrid shaker is a type of cocktail shaker that does not fit into one of the traditional shaker categories. We call the Elevated Craft Shaker a “Hybrid Shaker” because our design evolved beyond the scope of a traditional 3 piece Cobbler Shaker. By making it double wall vacuum insulated, adding threads, gaskets and a built-in measuring top, the design serves multiple functions and thus becomes a hybrid.

How does the double wall vacuum insulation in the tumbler affect dilution? With the Elevated Craft Shaker, you still get the essential ice dilution due to the transfer of heat from the room temperature alcohol (or any liquid) to the ice, however, you will not over-dilute your cocktail on a hot day because the internal temperature of the shaker is constant. With the Elevated Craft Shaker, the ice becomes an ingredient that you can predictably dial in depending on the amount of dilution you want. For example, we use large ice for less dilution and small ice if we want more dilution. After about 12-15 seconds of shaking, the beverage has been chilled to its lowest point and is ready to serve!

Should I hand wash my Hybrid Cocktail Shaker? The Stainless Steel Cocktail Shaker is top rack dishwasher safe. Please hand wash only the Gun Metal Black and Brushed Copper model to preserve the premium finish.

How do I know when to stop shaking if the outside of the shaker doesn’t get cold? If you are asking this question then you have probably shaken up hundreds (or maybe thousands) of cocktails in single wall shakers and you are very curious about the buzz around the Elevated Craft Shaker. The good news is, you no longer need to freeze your hands to tell if a cocktail is cold but you do have to trust science and get a sense for the timing. Max chill happens around 12-15 seconds after you start shaking when using room temperature liquids and a moderate amount of ice. While shaking, the laws of thermodynamics are working in your favor to bring the contents inside the shaker to thermal equilibrium. Depending on the cocktail ingredients, you may want to shake for longer to aerate the liquid more and enhance the texture. For a drink like a margarita or martini...a quick 12-15 second shake will do the job. In addition, you can play with the type of ice you shake with to really dial in the technique and dilution. Just a reminder, it’s generally not a good idea to shake with crushed ice because it will over dilute your drink and also clog the strainer.

Is the shaker backed by a warranty? Yes. The Elevated Craft Shaker is designed to last for decades. Long lasting and reusable consumer products have the least environmental impact, and our shaker is no different. We want this to be the last shaker you will ever need to buy and we are committed to stocking replacement parts to keep you shakin’. See our warranty policy for more details.

The Elevated Craft Shaker sounds great, but does it do well with cocktails that use egg whites? Whiskey Sour, anyone!? The Elevated Craft Shaker works amazingly well to get that perfect foam when incorporating egg whites. When using the dry shake method, just relieve the pressure by twisting the small lid before removing the measuring top.

Why haven’t I seen a hybrid shaker like this used in commercial bars? The Elevated Craft Cocktail Shaker was designed to specifically address the needs of your home bar. Commercial bars have to optimize for speed and cost which is why most of them use two tin cups (aka Boston Shakers). Boston Shakers are cheap and fast but for home use, they can be messy, get stuck together and have a steep learning curve. The Elevated Craft Cocktail Shaker is great when you’re making cocktails for small gatherings at home but if you are slinging drinks in a commercial bar, then we won’t blame you if you stick with your tins.

I have arthritis, will I be able to open the shaker? If you can open a jar from the grocery store and unscrew the top of a gatorade bottle without a tool, you should be okay unscrewing the shaker. If your arthritis or grip strength causes you to struggle to unscrew everyday home items then there will be a learning curve with the shaker so please be advised. The good news is that the parts will never get frozen stuck but it does take a little practice to get used to twisting the shaker open / closed. We have found that after a few uses, the steel parts break-in (like a good pair of shoes) and continue to get better and better over time.

How much liquid does the shaker hold? The main tumbler holds 21.5 ounces of liquid. The total assembled volume of the shaker is 28 oz. When assembled, the shaker can transport pre-batched cocktails, an entire bottle of chilled wine or a 750 ml bottle of your favorite spirit.

Does the Elevated Craft Shaker work with a Hawthorne Strainer? Yes. The opening of the shaker tumbler is similar in diameter to a normal pint glass.

How do I get the best flow using the built-in strainer? We’ve tested dozens of strainer hole patterns and we arrived on one that allows the best flow at a 45 degree angle. Using an angled pour helps prevent that "glug glug" thing that causes a mess. When muddling berries in the shaker, we recommend pouring from the main tumbler to prevent clogging.

Will I need to replace the gaskets often? Nope! Our gaskets are made from distillery grade silicone and they are designed to last forever. That being said, if your garbage disposal (or cat) chews one up then it might help to have a backup set which is why we sell the Hybrid Shaker Small Lid Gasket Kit as well as the Large Gasket Replacement Kit directly from our website to keep you shakin' for a long time to come. Note: if you purchased a shaker early on from our Kickstarter campaign, please reach out to us to discuss your large gasket needs as your shaker may have a different gasket than the shakers sold today.

How long does it take for my order to ship once it is placed? As fast as we can. Our warehouse crew usually ships online orders within 1-2 business days (including expedited) from the time they are placed. *Orders placed after 2pm EST on Fridays or over the weekend will be processed the following Monday. Please note: Standard and expedited shipping times do not include processing. Processing time may increase due to high volume, holidays, or pandemics.

Does the measuring top show half measurements? Yes. The small line above the embossed oz and ml represents the half mark of that section. The measuring top also works for 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4 oz.

Elevated Craft products have been designed to last decades when properly cared for and are backed by a Limited Lifetime Warranty. Manufacturing defects are super rare but if you have a problem, we have your back! If you have an issue that you believe is a manufacturer defect, please email us and include photos or videos so we can replace the defective part at no additional cost. All you have to do is email us and we will work with you to make it right. [email protected]

For a full description of our warranty, please visit here.  

The Last Cocktail Shaker You'll Ever Need.

Engineered to perform.

Chill Drinks, Not Hands

Vacuum insulated design guards against diluting heat transfer to make super chilled drinks while protecting your hand from painful frostbite. It also means no more condensation puddles on your counter! 

The Perfect Pour

This patent pending measuring system allows you to dial in your mix from micro ¼ and ½ oz dashes all the way up to a full 6oz concoction. Time to recycle your dainty 1.5oz jigger and start making real drinks. 

No Leak-Easy Twist

No Leak, Never Frozen Stuck - Our simple Twist Lock system means no more sticky leaks or frozen stuck frustrations.

Built-In Strainer

We tested dozens of strainer patterns and sizes until we found the perfect balance of a smooth pour while holding back ice and solids.

Pro-Grade Stainless Steel

Pro-Grade 304 stainless steel will never transfer metallic flavor to your perfectly crafted cocktail. 

Ergonomically Designed

Concave curves mean no need for a crazy two handed grip. Just grab the Elevated Craft Shaker anywhere that feels right and shake it up.

Customer Reviews

We love martinis and gimlets. This shaker is easy to use, makes perfect cocktails and is fashionable besides!

This shaker from Elevated Craft is the best. It was recommended by the cocktail making/loving daughter of a friend and is a fabulous find. It's easy to use, sturdy, has everything you need included within the shaker. I love this. Bought one for my son's new apartment and an extra for our house!

The patent pending design, for me, is what sells it. The ability to shake with confidence without worrying about any of the product leaking is a game changer.

Thank you so much for your glowing review! We're thrilled to hear that you are loving our Elevated Craft® Hybrid Cocktail Shaker. We're glad that our patent pending design has been a game changer for you and that you can shake with confidence without any worries of leakage. Cheers to many more delicious cocktails!

This product is great! We use it as much as possible. No spilling and I don’t have to mess with a separate strainer. I also like not have to put a cup inside a cup and hope they do not get stuck. Good product

Outstanding product I gave it to someone as a gift and she loves it because it doesn't freeze her hand when shaken and has perfect measurement information to make the proper number of martini pours

Thank you so much for your kind words about our Elevated Craft® Hybrid Cocktail Shaker. We're thrilled to hear that it's a hit as a gift and that it's keeping your hands warm while making perfect martinis. Cheers to many more enjoyable cocktails!

Recently ordered 2 Hybrid Cocktail Shakers - what a game changer - delivers on everything promised. No cold hands being the winner right there! Easy to use, measures within the cup lid, built in strainer - sharp as **** looking in Gun Metal Black! Damn fine product every bar needs! Fantastic!

Thank you for your fantastic review! We're thrilled to hear that our Elevated Craft® Hybrid Cocktail Shaker has exceeded your expectations. We couldn't agree more - no more cold hands and the built-in strainer make for a game-changing experience. And we have to say, the Gun Metal Black is indeed sharp as hell. We appreciate your support and hope you continue to enjoy our product. Cheers to you!

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The Best Cocktail Gear You Need to Make the Perfect Drink

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Measure It Out Cocktail Kingdom Japanese-Style Jigger Read more

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Stir It Around Mixing Glass Read more

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Nothing draws the attention of a party like a bartender, swinging open the doors of a bar cabinet and taking their place among the glistening bottles of brown and clear liquors, colorful spirits with foreign names, and sparkling cut glassware. Beer is a fine drink, as is wine, but they don't match the spectacle of mixing a cocktail.

I've had more bad cocktails in my life than I care to remember, and it often comes down to the maker splashing in too much liquor or not straining their solid ingredients. You need a measure of knowledge, a splash of experience, and the right tools, which we've collected below. As we head into the holiday gathering season, the right cocktail tools and some basic bartending skills can make you popular with friends and family.

Be sure to check out our other buying guides and gift guides , like our Boozy Gift Ideas and Gifts for Coffee Lovers roundups.

Updated October 2023: We've added new books, glassware, a knife, ice crushers, and mixers.

Measure It Out

Spirits are measured in small amounts when making a cocktail, and you have to be exact with your measurements when you’re crafting a drink. You’ll need a jigger—what you might call a tiny cocktail measuring cup. When you think of a jigger, you probably think of an hourglass-shaped, tall, slim Japanese-style jigger. It's more versatile because it has multiple sizes, and the hourglass shape is easier to hold and pour.

Most drinks call for a standard 1.5-ounce shot, so you'll probably want to start out with a standard 1- and 1.5-ounce jigger. Jiggers do come in smaller or larger sizes if you're making exotic or batch cocktails, but don't worry—even your standard size has notations on the inside if you want to add just 0.5 or 0.75 ounce of something.

Shake It Up

Some cocktails should be shaken, not stirred. A good rule of thumb is that whenever a cocktail includes a mixer—like citrus or egg white—you need to shake it to mix the alcoholic and non-alcoholic ingredients thoroughly, dilute it, and chill it quickly.

A Cobbler shaker is the classic three-in-one option, and it's easy to use, as it has a built-in strainer. But professional bartenders prefer a simpler Boston shaker, which is comprised of two mismatched tins. It holds more ingredients and doesn't get jammed closed as easily when the cold contracts the metal parts. They're also easier to clean. You will, however, need a separate strainer.

Stir It Around

Your second rule of thumb is that drinks that are all liquor need to be stirred. Steel conducts heat more easily than glass, so ice melts faster and dilutes your drink. These include most classic, spirit-forward cocktails like Manhattans and, yes, martinis. You should use a mixing glass instead.

It's really easy to break a cheap, thin mixing glass, usually when the person wielding the spoon gets too carried away. Buy something well built, like this one from Cocktail Kingdom, to keep the heat of your hands from melting your ice and stop your Negroni from sloshing all over your bar top. Don't forget a bar spoon for $13 to make mixing easier, since regular spoons are too short.

A Good Strainer

Whether you're using your Boston shaker or your mixing glass, you're going to need a way to keep the mixing ice and other ingredient debris from falling into the serving glass when you're dumping your finished drink. There are a two types of strainer you need among your cocktail tool kit:

A Hawthorne-style strainer uses a spring to fit more tightly inside the rim of the shaker tin or mixing glass compared to other strainers. If you only get one strainer, buy a Hawthorne. It's the most often used of the bunch. The Cocktail Kingdom model I've used for years has held up without its spring losing any of its ability to hold snug against mixing glass rims.

A mesh strainer is sometimes used as a last step to catch tiny bits of ingredients used in some cocktails, such as drinks using muddled herbs. A mesh strainer such as the Cocktail Kingdom Coco for $10 is typically used in addition to another strainer, not as a substitute.

Lauren Goode

Medea Giordano

Adrienne So

Unless you're opening your own drive-through daiquiri shack, keep it simple and use a hand juicer, instead of springing for something with a motor. Make sure you get one large enough to squeeze not just lemons and limes, but oranges and grapefruits, too—you'll regret not being able to make a fresh-squeezed Paloma or Brown Derby at Sunday brunch. (If you are opening a DIY drive-through daiquiri shack, please send us an invite.) Just don't put it in your dishwasher. Speaking from experience, it'll take all the finish off.

Muddling is a technique used to crush herbs and fruit in the bottom of a glass to release certain oils and flavors. There's some debate over whether you should be muddling mint for your mojitos, but a mint julep on Derby Day wouldn't be the same without it. Muddlers come in a lot of different materials, but aim for an unvarnished natural wood or plastic muddler. A varnished muddler will chip over time and flake into your drink. Natural wood muddlers also stain. If you're mixing a drink with fruit, pick up a channel knife for $24 to add a fun garnish with the zest on top.

Inevitably you'll end up slicing and dicing the oranges, limes, lemons, cucumbers, and grapefruits used in so many cocktails, and you'll want a proper knife that can slice through medium-size fruit. The Kiwi has a thin blade, but for the money it can't be beat. It's why senior product reviewer Scott Gilbertson recommends it in his guide to the Best Kitchen Knives .

From time to time you'll need to sharpen the knife. A dull blade is dangerous to use. Scott recommends the Presto EverSharp Electric Knife Sharpener for $40 .

Avoid plastic and bamboo cutting boards. They'll both dull your knives terribly. Hardwood, such as maple, is kindest to your blades. This John Boos 16x10-inch Maple Cutting Board for $49 is about as small as you'd want for a cocktail bar cutting board. If you have a larger one in the kitchen already, by all means use it, but much larger and it won't fit on your bar cart. Much smaller and you won't have room to cut up fruit and garnishes.

Your Basic Drinkware

If you're starting out, you need three basic glasses. The volume can differ from glass to glass, but you don't need 10 ounces unless you plan on only drinking doubles (in which case, good for you!).

Rocks glasses are short, sturdy glass tumblers that hold about 6 to 8 ounces of liquid. They’re for neat pours or classic cocktails served over ice—most famously, the Old Fashioned.

Coupe glasses are beautiful, stemmed glasses with a shallow bowl that hold 4 to 6 ounces. These are drinks served “up”—chilled, without ice.

Collins glasses are tall, slim tumblers for highballs, like, well, a Tom Collins! They're also for drinks served over crushed ice.

More Fun Glassware

Cocktail and liquor glasses are beautiful to look at and to hold. Once you have a few standard glasses, you can start rounding out your collection with specialized glassware. It's worth noting that you can use any or all of these for nonalcoholic drinks as well.

Moscow mule mugs are copper mugs used for serving—you guessed it—Moscow Mules and the dozens of popular (ahem) mule variations . When the drink was invented in mid-19th-century America, the mug was marketed as part of the experience. You can also drink a mule in a glass, though.

Hurricane glasses and margarita glasses are for fruity, icy summer drinks that might not fit in a Collins glass. Pick up a few for pina coladas, painkillers, or margaritas that are frozen or on the rocks. Libbey is a quality manufacturer that won't break the bank.

Even though it's not for cocktails, pick up a couple of Glencairn glasses for $20 for guests who enjoy a nice whiskey neat (that is, without ice). Glencairns became popular in the past decade due to their association with distillers in Scotland, who use the glasses to taste their whiskey. The shape of the glass directs aromas upward for a fuller tasting experience.

Whether you're shaking ingredients in a tin or stirring them in a glass, you need mixing ice to chill the drink to its serving temperature and dilute it with the right amount of water. There are three trays you should keep on hand:

1.25-inch cubes to use when making drinks. These melt at just the right speed, so that the drink isn't too under- or overdiluted by the time the mixing is complete. These small ice cubes don't end up in the final drink. They're removed by the strainer.

2-inch cubes are for serving with the drink. They don't melt as quickly as the smaller cubes, so you can enjoy the drink more leisurely without it watering it down so fast.

Spears are used for drinks served in a Collins glass, such as the classic gin and tonic, that would dilute too quickly with crushed ice or ice cubes. The Cocktail Kingdom Collins Ice Mold for $10 has given me years of use without any noticable wear and tear.

For Premium Ice

Spherical ice melts more slowly than cubes. Ever wonder why your ice is cloudy and not clear like a good bar's ice? It's the impurities in tap water. Ignore popular advice and don’t bother with distilled water. Ice made with it will still be cloudy. Wintersmiths makes perfectly clear ice by freezing the water at the top of the container first, pushing impurities down and away from the ice ball molds. Don't pour the ice used to mix the drink into your drinking glass–that's the point of the strainer, to filter out this already melting ice. Put a fresh piece of ice in your glass when it's ready to be served.

For Crushed Ice

Not everyone has a refrigerator that can spit out perfectly uniform shards of ice for the immense number of cocktails that require it. This Winco model's operation is simple. Turn the hand crank right for finely chopped ice and left for more coarsely chopped ice. The fine ice chips were surprisingly uniform in size, while the coarse ice chips varied a bit more between shards and ice dust. For a drink that calls for crushed ice, either one would be more than adequate. Rubber feet on the bottom do a good jump of keeping it from hopping around on the counter while grinding.

There are minor issues. The place where you load the ice is small, so you'll have to continually stop grinding to reload it. The lid also jumps open, so you'll have to hold it closed while grinding. And nobody will feel the plastic and think it to be of particularly high quality. But it functions fine, and for the money these are quibbles that don't impact the main attraction, which is its performance at shredding ice.

If you need to make a lot of ice cubes and would rather not crush your perfect ice spheres and cubes, take a look at the Antarctic Star Countertop Ice Maker for $40 . Reviewer Nena Farrell says that while it's not exactly quiet, it's not exactly noisy, either, and it can make batches of ice in a little as 15 minutes.

A Good Recipe Book

Jim Meehan, who founded New York City's PDT (Please Don't Tell) speakeasy in the East Village, was a part of a wave of bartenders to popularize cocktails in the 2000s. Meehan's The PDT Cocktail Book includes a breakdown of how to organize your tools, select your ice, and choose good mixers and base liquors. It also has more than 300 of Meehan's recipes, some of which are his creations and others are reprinted from history's best bartenders.

Gary Regan, who helped haul cocktails out of their dusty old-fashioned image as a rock star bartender in the 1980s and 1990s, wrote The Joy of Mixology to break down drinks based on categories. There are really only a few categories of cocktail, and almost all recipes can be broken down into variations of a few. It also has more than 350 of Regan's recipes. Both are excellent books, not only for recipes but also for a better understanding of how to mix drinks and know the craft. Tools and exact measurements are only a part of making a good cocktail. A lot of it, maybe most, comes down to technique.

More perennial favorites among cocktail enthusiasts include those from Death & Co, one of New York City's best-known cocktail bars, as well as Smuggler's Cove: Exotic Cocktails, Rum, and the Cult of Tiki for $28 , The Drunken Botanist: The Plants That Create the World's Great Drinks for $23 , The Savory Cocktail Book for $31 , Punch: The Delights (and Dangers) of the Flowing Bowl for $25 , and Tiki: Modern Tropical Cocktails for $28 . All have something unique to offer beyond just lists of cocktail recipes, whether it's delving back into the history of the way cocktails used to be mixed, beautifully written narratives, or entirely new ways to view the relations between seemingly distant types of drinks.

What Else Do I Need?

Looking at different vermouths, bitters, and other ingredients is one of the most fun parts of making cocktails. Some common additions you'll probably need include two styles of vermouth, a type of fortified wine.

Dry vermouth, or white vermouth, is essential to stalwart drinks such as the martini. Noilly Prat Extra Dry Vermouth is my favorite, although Dolin Dry is acceptable.

Sweet vermouth, or red vermouth, is a key ingredient in Manhattans. Carpano is a bit pricier than other fine sweet vermouths, such as Dolin Rouge , but I think it's worth the extra bucks.

Bitters are another fun way to spice up your drinks. There are so many good bitters being cranked out by many manufacturers, small and large, old and new, and they can vary a lot. A herby Angostura is the most common. Southerners will need Peychaud's for Sazeracs and mezcal fans will love Xocolatl mole bitters . It also works well to put a chocolaty spin on bourbon and brandy drinks.

Gourmet cherries delight everyone. Luxardo Cherries are a traditional, tasty alternative to the unnaturally red maraschino cherries you find in most refrigerators.

Orange blossom water is a great way to elevate classic brown-liquor cocktails like Old-Fashioneds and Manhattans. It gives those fiery concoctions a fragrant, delicate finish. A drop or two per cocktail is all you need. Really—the aroma is so powerfully floral that any more than that would be overwhelming.

Tasty Additions

You're gonna need mixers for a lot of drinks. Many cocktails require infrequently used ingredients, but these popular mixers are staples worth stocking. Even if you don't plan to use them, a guest will inevitably request them.

Tonic water is an integral part of the yearlong refresher, the gin and tonic. Don't skimp on the tonic, since it makes up more than half of this three-ingredient drink. I've downed a lot of G&Ts, and Fever Tree takes the win over Q, another common specialty tonic water.

Ginger beer is used in a number of cocktails, but it's most notably associated with the dark and stormy. Never heard of it? It's a variant of the Moscow mule, but it swaps in dark rum (typically Goslings) in place of the vodka. You'll need a good ginger beer for both. Serve them without a copper mug at your own peril.

Club soda is a nearly universal mixer. Canada Dry edges out the other common brands for taste, in my opinion, while still being common enough to purchase in large quantities for parties and punches without breaking your wallet wide open.

Bar Cabinet

You don't absolutely need one, but it's a touchstone piece that draws oohs and ahhs from party guests. It also gives you a place to mix your cocktails and store your tools and bottles without taking over all the room inside your kitchen cabinets. The Landon is made from solid wood with real acorn wood veneers, plus the manufactured-wood back panel. It's very well built, and once fully constructed it's sturdy as a rock. Inside, you can hang up to 12 stemmed glasses upside down, plus there's room for a couple dozen bottles of liquor and most (if not all) of your tools and drinking glasses. There are also seven cubbies for storing wine horizontally.

In my experience with multiple units (and from reviews on several retailer sites), pieces tend to arrive with abrasions on the corners due to poor packaging during shipping. You may want to pick up a pack of furniture markers to touch up those areas, if they bother you. Even taking that into account, though, the Landon is the best deal I've seen on bar cabinets. At this price, competing bar cabinets are almost entirely particleboard or wire mesh, and other solid wood bar cabinets run closer to $1,000.

Your Cocktail Mixing Station

Keep your glasses and shakers upside down if you store them on top of your cabinet and not inside. It'll keep dust from getting in them. Most bar cabinets have room for drinking glasses inside, but the larger mixing glasses and shakers might not fit.

Mix your drinks on a rubber bar mat on top of the cabinet to catch spills and keep wet glasses from warping the wood. Keep cocktail napkins on hand, as well as cocktail picks to use when a recipe calls for a skewer of garnish, such as olives for martinis and cherries for Manhattans. Limes, lemons, and oranges are the fruits most often used in popular cocktail recipes, so get plenty of them.

Before a big party, estimate how much ice you'll need and then double it. Maybe even triple it. You always need more ice than you think, and even though the recipe for ice is super easy (cold plus water), it takes too long to make once you're out of it. You'll need to stock up on extra ice trays if you want to have a bunch of people over for drinks.

Don't store liquor in a bar cabinet's wine cubbies. While it's preferable to store wine horizontally or at a slight diagonal angle in order to keep the cork from drying out and spoiling the wine, the higher alcohol percentage of hard liquor will eat away at the cork if kept in contact with it for long. I was given a bottle of whiskey once that had been stored this way for a year, and it had dissolved bits of cork floating it in. I still drank it, because there's no way I'm pouring out Four Roses Single Barrel, but yeah, I'd have preferred it without the debris.

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The Best Bartending Kits in 2024, According to Cocktail Experts

When going DIY, you're only as good as the tools you're working with.

Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-approved. We may earn a commission through links on our site. Why Trust Us?

WHEN GOING DIY , you're only as good as the tools you're working with. That's the case across the spectrum, from landscaping in the yard and woodworking in your basement to cooking in your kitchen. The story is no different for the home bartender, who requires the best equipment to whip up the very best drinks.

We're not saying you need an atomizer or crystal decanter. Nor do you need a smoker or vintage ice pick. But if you like to put together the occasional Negroni or Old Fashioned, there are some staples you ought to have around. A good bartending kit is the tool belt for the home bartender, outfitting you with the essentials needed in the field of mixology.

Most Artistic Set

Elevated craft gunmetal black hybrid cocktail bundle.

Best Matching Set

Joytable stainless steel cocktail shaker bar set.

Most Avant-Garde Set

Rabbit craft cocktail set.

Most Fashionable Set

Williams sonoma x billy reid ultimate 8-piece bar set.

Best Portable Kit

Barillio barillio bartender bag travel bartender kit bag with bar tools | professional 17-piece bar tool set with portable waxed canavs bag including shoulder strap for easy carry | travel cocktail set….

Best Barebones Set

Fortessa crafthouse cocktail shaker set.

Best Self-Contained Set

West elm archer barware collection.

Tidiest Bartender Kit

Mixology & craft mixology bartender kit: 10-piece bar tool set.

Best Value Bartender Set

Viski 7-piece bar essentials set.

Best Splurge Kit

Michael aram ivy & oak bar set, how we selected.

We looked at several important factors in creating this list. For starters, we tended to rely on solid brands with solid reputations. These are the companies that appeal to bartender newbies and seasoned veterans alike, respected for their durability and keen design. We looked at ratings as well, and also relied on firsthand experience in working with some of these options. We researched what's popular and sells well but weighed that against the nature of the tools in the kit. There may be a kit out there has ten million fans on Insta, but if it doesn't include at least a well-made bar spoon or shaker, the heart and soul of a good kit, we'll pass.

To a lesser extent, we looked at appealing features like warranties, clever tool adaptations, and the convenience factor. Sometimes, the accumulation of these seemingly little perks was enough for a brand to make the list.

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If you care about the look of your bartending tools, which you should, this is a great option. It's modern and almost brutalist in its makeup, sporting gunmetal aesthetic that looks great on any bar shelf or cart. There's a lot to love, from the double-wall insulation to the crafty measuring lines built in to the lining of the vessel. Where can it improve? The sleeves for the glasses are cool and prevent dripping but also keep you from being able to really observe the drink you just made as you sip it in your bar.

This set brings a plurality of things to the bar table, nine in total. The fact that they all match keeps a nice theme alive in your bar and tools like the citrus squeezer and mixing spoon (with a muddler on the head) come off as both elegant and deeply useful. The liquor pourers are an interesting touch, but six seems like a bit much. Yet, we love the Boston-style shaker and the flat and oversized opener is wonderfully vintage.

The resistance to rust is a nice touch, especially for the gold option. It comes with a nice classic cocktail recipe book and you can get the set in either black, gold, or silver.

This kit is all about sneaking in extra features without compromising overall look. At six pieces, the set seems small but it works hard for you. The muddler is also a reamer while the dynamic garnish tool can do it all, from citrus zesting to creating twists or peeling (channel knife included). The bar spoon is both easy on the eye and boasts a rotating handle, a perk real bartenders love to have in their back pocket.

The strainer is a bit on the simple side and the lack of a shaker isn't ideal, but the kit does encourage you to get your mix on, which can make for more interesting drinks at times and just plain looks cool once you get the hang of your new spoon.

This collaboration set features eight tools and a dazzling color scheme. The details are remarkable, perhaps to be expected from working with an acclaimed fashion designer. What details? Let's start with the acacia wood muddler. Next, two kinds of strainers, including a Julep version that looks like a treasure found at the bottom of the sea.

The spoon is weighted nicely and the jigger offers a nice change of pace from most in terms of form. The ice tongs are also a nice bonus, especially if you care about presentation points (and just the formality of serving others in style).

With this clever pack-along kit you can bring the bar to wherever the action is, creating a cocktail party virtually anywhere. A total of 14 tools are included, which tuck neatly into the cavas carrying bag. We like certain additions here, like the fine mesh strainer, great for clearing out any solids you may not want in your pristine cocktail. And the microfiber towel reminds that no good bartender is set without a proper clean-up cloth. Overall, it's like a roll-up briefcase for the mixologist, one that looks great on the go.

It's nice to have so much at your disposal (it feels like having an actual bar back) but chances are good that you won't use the ice pick or tweezers that often. Still, it's a great set overall, especially if you like convenience and portability.

Don't want any excess in your bartender kit? Then this one is for you. You get a shaker, strainer, muddler, and jigger, that's it. We like the helpful volume indicators on the inside of both the shaker tin and jigger and the classic design elements at play throughout. Of the many kits out there, this one has the best muddler, so if a Mojito is your drink, this is likely your kit.

You may find yourself reaching for a paring knife or bar spoon now and again depending on what you like to drink, but mostly, the set offers just enough to make some top-shelf cocktails.

The Archer collection is appealing in that it's basically a tiny bar all in one. The tools hang nicely from brass racks and the whole thing sits atop a lovely brass serving tray. Standout features include the glass ice bucket (classy and retro, all at once), the marble tool stand, and the jigger, which comes with a lengthy handle, keeping you from getting sticky hands.

One of the best features, at least from a hosting standpoint, is the glass shaker. It's oddly cool to see your drink come to life as it's being tossed about. Also, the tray is great, both for keeping the set in one area and for serving the drinks once they're made. About the only hangup here is having to hand-wash everything.

Mixology & Craft Mixology Bartender Kit: 10-Piece Bar Tool Set

There's a great home for every tool in this ten-piece set. They drop right in to the very modern bamboo rack, which looks like a miniature coffee table. The liquor pourers are standard grade but that's compensated by the shaker, a throwback in shape to the golden cocktail era of old. If you love to make a nice drink or host your pals for happy hour, this is a great set, especially if you're tight on space.

If you like a Martini shaken and stirred, this cocktail set is your match. You're treated to a nice shaker setup as well as a pretty stirring glass. Best, the weighted bar spoon is a delight to use, its extra length perfect for mixing to perfection. The set will leave you a little short-handed if you care a lot about garnishes and require things like tongs and openers, but when it comes to the essentials, it's a nice option, especially for the reasonable price.

Michael Aram Ivy & Oak Bar Set

With bartending, a little flair can go a long ways. This handsome five-piece set demands to be seen the next time you entertain. It comes with most of the staples, as in a jigger, strainer, muddler, stirrer, and bottle opener, and all the pieces file together nicely on the slender stand. The gold ring at the top is a beautiful addition and the texture of these handmade tools (not two exactly alike) is something to behold.

Yes, it's pricy, but sometimes a splurge is worth it, especially if you fancy yourself as a super host. The set brings some taste to the table, on top of the necessary tools. The bar spoon is a tad short, but the one-of-a-kind nature of it makes up for that. This is a set made to be shown off.

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What makes a great kit? The cocktail tools you actually need, ideally well-made and built to last. You know, must-haves like shaker tins, strainers, and spoons. Some of the more involved kits even throw in useful components like citrus zester's, mixing glasses, jiggers, and muddlers. Once you have these tools at your disposal, you'll both be responsible for better-tasting drinks and wonder how you got by before.When buying a bartending kit, the key is to get something that's not only rated favorably, but practical and of use when making all of the signature drinks.

There should a bit of flair too, as that's a vital part of bartending. You should be seeking tools that are intuitive and don't require lengthy user manuals and lots of trial and error to figure them out. A good kit equips you with all of your basic needs and more, whether you're batching up Negroni's or making a Hot Toddy to take the chill out of the night.

Paul is the Food & Nutrition Editor of Men’s Health . He’s also the author of two cookbooks: Guy Gourmet and A Man, A Pan, A Plan .

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