If you enjoy making delicious cocktails at home, having the right shaker is essential. The two main types of shakers used by bartenders and home mixologists are the Boston shaker and the cocktail shaker.
But what is the difference, and which is better for crafting perfect drinks every time?
This comprehensive guide will examine the pros and cons of cocktail shakers versus Boston shakers to help you decide which is right for your needs.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Cocktail Shaker | Boston Shaker |
| Capacity | Typically 10-20 oz | 28 oz glass + 16 oz tin = 44 oz+ |
| Construction | Stainless steel and/or glass | Stainless steel only |
| Ease of Use | Easy – just connect pieces | Requires technique to seal and release pieces |
| Mixing Ability | Good for short shakes | Great for longer, vigorous shakes |
| Pouring | Built-in strainer on some models | Requires separate strainer |
| Appearance | Iconic, recognizable shape | More utilitarian look |
| Cost | $$ | $ |
| Cleanup | Hand wash only | Dishwasher safe |
To summarize, cocktail shakers offer a classic look and feel that work well for beginners making single drinks. Boston shakers have a larger capacity, more robust build, and smoother shaking action favored by professionals making multiple drinks.
Overview of Cocktail Shaker
A cocktail shaker is the iconic bartender tool recognizable in movies and cartoons.
It consists of a metal bottom portion and a metal or glass top portion that fit together.
The bottom is usually stainless steel and contains ridges to help mixing. The top portion can be stainless steel or glass.
To use a cocktail shaker, you add ice, spirits, mixers, and garnishes to the bottom portion.
Then you place the top on and shake vigorously up and down to chill and blend the ingredients together.
The shaking motion combines everything thoroughly while aerating the cocktail. Once chilled, you strain the drink into a glass through the built-in strainer cap or a separate strainer.
There are three main types of cocktail shakers:
- Cobbler shaker – The most common type with a steel bottom and domed steel top. Easy to grip and shake.
- French shaker – Elegant style with a steel bottom and smaller glass or plastic top. Allows you to see the cocktail as you shake it.
- Three-piece shaker – Consists of a steel bottom, top cap, and built-in strainer cap for tidier pouring. Very versatile.
Pros of a Cocktail Shaker:
- Iconic look and feel adds flair to cocktail making
- Domed shape creates smooth shaking motion
- Stainless steel construction is durable
- Allows you to shake and strain in one unit
- Glass top versions let you see the cocktail
- Various styles to choose from
Cons of a Cocktail Shaker:
- Can dent, chip or crack if dropped
- Smaller capacity than Boston shaker
- Can leak if not properly aligned when shaking
- Parts may loosen or get stuck over time
- Only makes one drink at a time
Overview of Boston Shaker
The Boston shaker is a two-piece shaker favored by professional bartenders.
It consists of a 28 oz steel mixing glass and a slightly larger 16 oz steel shaker tin that nest together.
To use it, you add ice and cocktail ingredients to the larger mixing glass.
Then you place the smaller metal shaker tin over the top and smack it firmly to form a temporary seal.
Shake hard up and down to mix and chill the cocktail. When you’re done shaking, separate the two pieces to pour the drink through the mixer glass into a serving glass.
Pros of a Boston Shaker:
- Large capacity makes multiple drinks at once
- Heavy duty and durable stainless steel
- Mixing glass lets you accurately measure ingredients
- Easy to clean and dishwasher safe
- Creates a tight seal for vigorous shaking
- Used by professional bartenders
- Traditional look impresses guests
Cons of a Boston Shaker:
- Requires practice to seal and separate pieces
- Can dent or chip if banged too hard
- Heavy and bulky for some users
- Parts may become stuck together over time
- No built-in strainer like some cocktail shakers
- Not as iconic looking as cocktail shaker
Which is Better – Cocktail or Boston Shaker?
So when it comes down to choosing between a cocktail shaker and Boston shaker, which should you buy? Here are some things to consider:
- Your experience level – Beginners may find a cocktail shaker easier to use right away. The Boston shaker has a learning curve to get the hand seal technique correct.
- How many drinks you make – For crafting 1 to 2 drinks at a time, a cocktail shaker gets the job done. But Boston shakers shine when making many drinks for a crowd.
- Your budget – Inexpensive Boston shakers start around $10 while quality stainless steel cocktail shakers cost $25 or more. Glass top French shakers can run $50+.
- Shaking style – If you like vigorous, athletic shaking, the Boston shaker’s seal and larger capacity is ideal. For a more casual approach, a cocktail shaker creates great drinks with less effort.
- Aesthetic – Cocktail shakers look gorgeous on the bar as serving tools. Boston shakers focus purely on function.
Overall, it’s hard to go wrong with either option. Boston shakers offer durability and value for serious home mixologists. Cocktail shakers provide convenience and class for fledgling bartenders.
Consider how you plan to use your shaker and choose the one that best fits your needs and budget.
FAQ About Cocktail Shakers and Boston Shakers
There are a few key advantages that make the Boston shaker a great choice:
1. Larger capacity – The 28 oz mixing glass and 16 oz tin allow you to make more drinks at once. Great for batching cocktails.
2. Superior seal – When properly connected, the Boston shaker creates an extremely tight seal for vigorous shaking without leaking.
3. Smoother shaking motion – The flat sides and balanced weight distribution enable fast, robust shaking.
4. Used by professionals – If it’s the shaker of choice among pro bartenders, it must be good!
More affordable – A basic Boston shaker set costs less than a quality stainless steel cocktail shaker.
So for making multiple drinks at a time with energetic shaking, a Boston shaker is hard to beat.
The main differences between Boston and cocktail shakers are:
1. Boston shakers are 2 pieces – a large metal mixing glass and smaller metal shaker tin. Cocktail shakers are 3 pieces – a bottom, top, and strainer cap.
2. Boston shakers rely on a metal-to-metal seal by banging the pieces together. Cocktail shakers have threaded pieces that seal when twisted together.
3. Cocktail shakers often have built-in strainers. Boston shakers require a separate strainer.
4. Boston shakers have a larger capacity of around 44 oz versus 10-20 oz for a cocktail shaker.
5. Cocktail shakers have a more iconic look with their domed shape versus the utilitarian cylindrical Boston shaker.
6. Boston shakers allow more vigorous shaking due to their tight seal and weighted feel.
So in summary, cocktail shakers are smaller, easier to use, and more stylish, while Boston shakers offer superior mixing for serious cocktail making.
The three main types of cocktail shakers are:
Cobbler shaker – The classic shaker with a steel bottom and domed steel top. Very recognizable and easy to shake.
French shaker – Shaker with a steel bottom and smaller glass or plastic top. Allows you to see the cocktail as its shaken.
Three-piece shaker – Includes a steel bottom, top cap, and built-in strainer cap. Very convenient and tidy to pour drinks.
The cobbler shaker is the most common, but all three varieties work well. The French shaker is good for visually monitoring the cocktail, while the three-piece strainer makes pouring a breeze.
The main differences between regular cocktail shakers and Boston shakers are:
1. Boston shakers have two parts – a large steel mixing glass and smaller steel shaker tin. Regular shakers have three parts – bottom, top and strainer cap.
2. Boston shakers rely on a tight metal-on-metal seal from banging the pieces together. Regular shakers seal by twisting threaded top pieces.
3. Regular shakers often have built-in strainers for tidier pouring. Boston shakers need a separate strainer.
4. Boston shakers have nearly double the capacity at around 44 oz versus 20-24 oz for regular shakers.
5. Boston shakers allow more energetic, vigorous shaking thanks to their tight seal.
6. Regular shakers come in fun iconic shapes and designs, while Boston shakers look more plain.
So in short, Boston shakers offer superior mixing ability for serious cocktail making, while regular shakers provide convenience and class for beginners.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to choosing between a cocktail shaker and Boston shaker, there are good reasons to consider both options. Cocktail shakers offer an iconic look, built-in strainers, and beginner-friendly use that’s perfect for making one or two drinks at a time.
For their part, Boston shakers provide a large capacity, tight seal, and weighted feel ideal for batching and vigorously shaking multiple cocktails.
Ultimately, experience level, budget, shaking style, and aesthetic preference should all factor into your decision. Novices may appreciate the simplicity of a basic three-piece cobbler cocktail shaker to craft delicious drinks with timeless charm.
Enthusiasts and pros will love the heavy-duty mixing power and efficiency of a Boston shaker set for crafting large rounds. For most home bartenders, either option can produce incredible cocktails with practice.
Choose the shaker that best fits your plans to shake up amazing drinks.