Best Cocktail Shakers
Mixing cocktails is fun, satisfying, and enjoyable… not to mention tasty! When you’re set up with the essential tools for making drinks in the comfort of your home, it makes convenient to learn and explore the art of bartending. Making drinks for yourself or others while traveling, camping, or tailgating is also desirable. Once you learn the basics, enjoying your own drink or entertaining others can be a very pleasurable experience and can also save your money in the long run.
When getting set up to make your own alcoholic beverages, it is important to have the essential tools for making cocktails and mixed drinks. A good cocktail mixer is an essential purchase if you are setting up a home bar or would like to make drinks or cocktails while traveling. Some cocktail mixers are sold as a stand alone purchase, while others on the market are sold in a set with some combination of tools you would need to make a wide variety of mixed drinks and cocktails including: a jigger (for measuring alcohol shots), a shaker (for mixing cocktails), a strainer (used to remove ice before serving a cocktail), a bar spoon (for mixing), and a muddler (for crushing fruits, herbs and spices to infuse flavors into drinks). Some cocktail mixers come in nesting sets that have serving glasses as well.
If you know someone who enjoys a good drink or cocktail, a cocktail shaker, or cocktail mixer set could be a great choice for a gift.
If you are considering the purchase of a set of a cocktail shaker, you have found the right site. Our experts have sifted through countless options that are available on the market today that all have subtle differences in regards to design, capacity, the tools that are included, accessories and other components. We have scoured through the product information and details to share our recommendations on five different highly rated cocktail mixers. Our picks highlight notable product features along with pros and cons that will help you make your product comparisons. This article also includes additional resources, such as, frequently asked questions and important things to consider that will help you get the information you need to make a smart choice when purchasing a great cocktail shaker for your home bar, for travel, or to give as a gift. This article will help you get the information you need to make a good decision for your purchase and will help you get what you need to start practicing the art of bartending.
Best Overall – Cresimo 24 Ounce Cocktail Shaker Bar Set with Accessories
The Cresimo 24 ounce cocktail shaker is our top pick for function, design, durability, accessories and price. This cocktail shaker is constructed from stainless steel and comes with a built in strainer, cap, bar spoon, jigger, and pocket sized fold-out recipe guide. It is simple to use, effective and is backed with a two year warranty.
PROS:
- Practical
- Comes with useful accessories
- Reasonable price
- Stainless steel
CONS:
- Single wall construction
Best Insulated Cocktail Shaker- Simple Modern 20oz Cocktail Martini Shaker with Jigger Lid
The Simple Modern cocktail and martini shaker is constructed with a stainless steel double-walled design. This shaker is leak-proof, airtight and vacuum insulated so it keeps your beverages icy-cool, but your hands comfortable and dry. This insulated cocktail shaker has a built in strainer, a twist off lid, and comes in an impressive twenty-four different attractive color choices, making it both a functional and stylish barware accessory.
PROS:
- Double walled insulated design, keeps your drinks cooler than single wall shakers
- 24 color options
- Stylish look
- Built in strainer
- Made from stainless steel
- Dishwasher safe
CONS:
- Can be difficult to open
Best for Camping or Tailgating – Stanley Adventure Happy Hour 2X System
The Stanley Adventure Series Happy Hour Cocktail Shaker Set is a great pick for camping or tailgating. This six piece nesting set includes a 30 ounce cocktail shaker, two stainless steel cups, a citrus reamer and a jigger cap. Built to last and with a reputation of durability and dependability, this set, which has a lifetime guarantee is sure to perform. This set has a space saving design, which is great for both home or travel.
PROS:
- All in one, nesting design
- Constructed from high quality, durable stainless steel
- Double walled glasses
- Includes practical accessories (jigger, juicer and glasses)
- Great for travel
CONS:
- Glasses are insulated, shaker is not
Best for Ease of Use – Stephanie Imports 14 oz Recipe Glass Cocktail Shaker With Strainer Top
If you are looking for a transparent cocktail shaker with the added ease and guidance of printed markings for perfect measurements, be sure to consider this glass cocktail shaker. This shaker has options in the theme of gin, whiskey, tequila, rum, and wine. Each shaker has six printed recipes centered around your drink of choice. For example, the rum themed cocktail shaker has printed guidance and measurements to make a perfect Mojito, Mary Pickfod, Planter’s Punch, Barracuda, Cuba Libre and Pina Colada. These shakers take the guesswork out of the perfect measurements for your favorite drinks. Each shaker comes with a stainless steel top with a built-in strainer.
PROS:
- Printed markings and recipes printed right on the glass
- Easy to clean
- Very easy to use, offers consistency
- Available in 6 different themes
- Great for beginners
CONS:
- Does not include a classic martini recipe
Best Cocktail Shaker Gift Set – Cocktail Mixology Shaker Set by Royal Reserve
If you are looking for a cocktail shaker gift set that has all of the essentials barware tools wrapped up in attractive packaging, be sure to consider the Royal Reserve 16 piece barware gift set. This barware set includes a cocktail shaker along with strainers, toppers, a muddler, a measuring jigger, tongs, mixing spoons, cleaning brushes, a bamboo stand and a print cocktail and mixology reference book for recipes. This set is packaged in an elegant-looking box with a red ribbon.
PROS:
- Includes all of the bartending essentials
- Comes with a print book and bamboo stand
- 1 year defect warranty
CONS:
- Good for home use, but not professional quality tools
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is a cocktail shaker used for?
A cocktail shaker is a container used to mix and chill alcoholic beverages. Cocktail shakers are commonly used to shake (with the lidded vessel) or mix (by stirring them with a bar spoon) drinks chilling the liquids with ice without diluting the beverage, before pouring it into a serving glass.
What are the benefits of using a cocktail shaker?
When you shake cocktails in a separate vessel, the flavors integrate in a way that is far more delectable than if just poured directly into a glass. Shaking incorporates ingredients (like juices, creams, and/or egg whites) far more efficiently than simply mixing it with a spoon. Using a cocktail shaker is also a way to chill a beverage using ice, without significantly diluting the drink. Shaking can also add texture to drinks.
What is the capacity of a typical cocktail shaker?
The cocktail shakers featured in this article have capacities ranging from 16 to 30 ounces. These shakers offer space for ice for a typical mixed drink or cocktail ingredients.
What to Look for When Purchasing Cocktail Mixer
Now that you have seen our top picks of the best cocktail mixers on the market today, here are some things to consider when you decide which one will work best for you based on your needs and preferences.
Material Type
The cocktail mixers featured in this article are constructed from either stainless steel or glass materials. Stainless steel is desirable for its look, durability and ease of cleaning. The glass cocktail mixer featured is transparent with markings that make it easy to measure and to create consistent, accurate drinks with a simple pour. The glass cocktail shaker does have a stainless steel lid.
Design
Cocktail shakers with double wall construction will offer more insulation properties and can eliminate “sweating” of liquids on the exterior of the vessel. The condensation that happens on single wall shakers can make the cocktail slippery and more difficult to handle, it can also be very cold and uncomfortable to hold for long periods of time.
Another thing to think about in terms of design is travel and storage. Some of the sets featured in this article have nesting and/or built in features and accessories that add convenience and portability. For example, one set includes nesting serving cups. Many of the featured sets have built in strainers. Design features can make a significant difference in terms of function, portability, and ease of use.
Color is another option you may want to consider when making your purchase. Some cocktail shakers featured in this article come in a wide variety of colors and patterns that can add style and aesthetic appeal. A brightly colored cocktail shaker can be easy to spot and harder to misplace. With the options presented in this article can seek out cocktail shakers that complement your decor if that is something that is a priority for you.
Size
When considering your purchase, think about the capacity of the cocktail shaker you most desire. Larger capacity cocktail shakers are great for mixing batches of drinks for a crowd. When considering the size of the cocktail shaker you are purchasing and accompanying accessories (if any) also consider how and where you will store it.
Accessories
There are a lot of accessories you may be interested in considering when outfitting your home bar. Some cocktail shakers come with other barware accessories, while others do not. You may want to consider purchasing a shaker that has included accessories, such as: tongs, shakers, strainers and mixers, or purchasing these items separately. Other accessories like cleaning tools and storage bags or shelving can extend the life of your cocktail shaker and/or adding convenience and organization promoting ease of use.
Cost
Just like with any purchase, some cocktail shakers cost more than others. Higher quality stainless steel and/or insulated vessels typically cost more. But, higher price points often correlate with the quality and durability of materials as well as function and design. You can also look at offerings, such as warranties, and satisfaction guarantees to help you be confident in your purchase as well.
Conclusion
Purchasing a cocktail shaker is a good investment for a home bar. Cocktail shakers are great tools to have when on the go. They also make a great gift. Having the knowledge of what to look for when making a purchase can help you make a smart choice and to be confident with your purchase, especially with all of the choices that are available on the market today. Each of the highlighted cocktail shakers in this feature are highly recommended. Consider all of the information provided and your individual preferences in terms of materials, size and design when making your choice of which cocktail shaker will work best for you.