Choosing the Best Cocktail Shaker

It can be quite the task to pick out the best cocktail shaker with so many shapes, sizes, and functional features from which to choose. And oh, the aesthetics – you can find a shaker to suit any style these days. From the convenient cobbler design to the iconic Boston cocktail shaker, you just have to see what’s out there before you can know what you’re missing.

The quick guide below details the models that we think could contend for the title of best cocktail shaker; take a look:

1. Polished Steel Cocktail Shaker

This premium 24 oz cocktail shaker is highly affordable, versatile, and best of all – it looks great on the bar or countertop. This is our favorite model in terms of style and affordability; we think it’s the best cocktail shaker for the price hands down. Set includes a highly polished shaker, strainer, and lid.

2. Metrokane Bullet Cocktail Shaker

This is a cool silver cocktail shaker perfect for those crime-drama fans out there. Made of polished stainless steel, the Metrokane Silver Bullet would be the best cocktail shaker for slaying vampires or, if you’re not that adventurous, sharing some mean martinis between good friends.

3. Norpro Pete the Penguin Shaker

Inspired by disguised prohibition-era vintage cocktail shaker designs, Pete the Penguin from Norpro is sturdy, made of stainless steel, and always ready to serve fun drinks. Pete the Penguin is one of the best cocktail shaker models for those who dream to drink outside of the ordinary. Pete is sure to give guests a case of the giggles.

4. Oggi Dial-A-Drink Cocktail Shaker

Upgrade your old Boston cocktail shaker set with an innovative twist on the traditional. The Oggi Dial-A-Drink features 15 recipes built right in – you won’t have to haul out your big book of after-dinner drinks to measure out the perfect cocktail with this neat piece of bar-worthy technology.

5. Adcraft 3-Piece Cocktail Shaker

Why spend up to $300 for an Alessi cocktail shaker when you can snag an Adcraft 3-piece stainless steel shaker for less than ten bucks? You can pick one up for yourself and a friend, and still have extra cash to spend on the ingredients for those impressive cocktails that you’ll be shaking up all night.

Cocktail Shaker Shopper Tips

When shopping for the best cocktail shaker, you’ll want to find something with thick metal (to protect your hands from the cold) and a tight seal.

The heavier the better – and if you can find reviews online about quality and leak control, then you’ll be sure to pick out a winner.

Anything features beyond these two critical requirements are just a matter of measuring convenience or aesthetic appeal. You don’t need to spend a hundred dollars to have the best cocktail shaker around; you just need to have the technique down.

You can spend all day arguing with your cocktail connoisseur friends about what makes the best cocktail shaker – but if anybody questions your equipment just challenge them to a taste test!