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Which one should you buy?

For a first shaker, pick a simple stainless one-piece with a strainer that twists on securely and a cap that seals without sticking. The shaker I used to link to is no longer available, so here's what I'd point you to now:

A good stainless steel cocktail shaker is the first piece of bar kit to buy. It chills, mixes and dilutes a drink just right in about 15 seconds, and it's just as handy for a fresh lemonade or a fruity mocktail as it is for a margarita.

The classic three-piece shaker you picture in old films is called a cobbler: a tin, a lid with a strainer built in, and a little cap on top. It's the friendliest way to start. But I'll be honest with you, a lot of cobblers leak, come apart mid-shake, or stick shut when they're cold. So it pays to choose carefully.

Why you shake a cocktail

Shaking does three jobs at once. It mixes the ingredients, chills the drink and melts a little water from the ice into it. That water isn't a flaw. It softens the alcohol and brings the flavours together, which is why a shaken drink tastes rounder than one simply stirred in a glass.

Hard shaking with plenty of ice also whips tiny air bubbles into drinks with juice, cream or egg white, giving them a light, lively texture.

Cobbler or Boston?

A cobbler has everything built in, so you can shake and pour with one tool. A Boston Shaker is a big tin and a glass that wedge together. It needs a separate strainer and a bit of practice, but it seals more reliably, opens more easily and has fewer parts to wash. Start with a cobbler if you want simple; move to a Boston if you find yourself shaking every weekend.

OXO Steel Cocktail Shaker at a glance

What to look for in a cocktail shaker

• Room for ice. At least 18 ounces, and 24 ounces or more is better. A cramped shaker can't chill a drink properly.

• A seal that holds and lets go. It mustn't leak when you shake, and it mustn't weld itself shut when cold.

• No insulation. Double-walled shakers look smart but slow down the chilling and dilution you're shaking for.

• Few parts. Every extra piece is something else to lose or wash.

• A fine strainer on standby. Built-in strainer holes are usually quite large, so keep a small fine-mesh strainer for drinks served without ice.

The OXO fixes the two things that go wrong with most cobblers: it doesn't leak and it doesn't stick shut. If you'd rather have something handsome to keep on the bar cart, the Yukiwa is the one, just expect to work at the lid.

Who it suits, and who should skip it

Good for you if

• You're new to cocktails and want one tool that does the lot

• You make the odd drink or mocktail at the weekend

• You like having a jigger built into the cap

Skip it if

• You make drinks for a crowd or shake often: a Boston shaker is quicker and more reliable

• You want a shaker as a showpiece: look at the Yukiwa

How to get the best from it

Shake it

Fill the shaker two-thirds with ice. Add your measured ingredients. Put the strainer top and cap on firmly, hold the cap down with one hand and the base with the other, and shake hard for 10 to 15 seconds, until the outside is frosty. Strain into a chilled glass.

Shaken or stirred?

Shake drinks with juice, cream or egg white. Stir drinks made only of spirits, like a Manhattan or a classic martini, so they stay clear and silky.

Measure, don't guess

Use the cap or a jigger. Cocktails are all about balance, and a free pour is how a nice drink turns into a strong, sour one. Measuring also keeps everyone's drinks sensible.

Cleaning and safety

• Rinse all three parts straight after use, so sugar and citrus don't dry in the strainer holes.

• Wash by hand or in the dishwasher, as the maker's instructions allow.

• Dry everything fully before reassembling, or water spots the strainer and the cap can stick.

• Shake cold ingredients only. Never seal hot liquid in a shaker.

The one rule

If the cap sticks, don't force it with a knife. Cold metal shrinks and grips. Run a little warm water over the top for a few seconds, or give it a gentle tap, and it will let go.

Questions people ask

Cobbler or Boston shaker: which should I buy?

A cobbler is easiest to start with because the strainer is built in. A Boston shaker is more reliable and easier to clean once you've practised the seal. If you're unsure, start with a cobbler.

Why is my cocktail shaker stuck?

The ice has chilled the metal and it has shrunk tight. Warm the cap or the join under the tap for a few seconds, or tap it gently, and it should open.

How long should I shake a cocktail?

Ten to 15 seconds of hard shaking, until the outside of the shaker is frosty.

Do I still need a strainer with a cobbler shaker?

For most drinks the built-in strainer is fine. For a drink served without ice, pour through a fine small strainer as well to catch the tiny ice chips.

Can I make non-alcoholic drinks in a cocktail shaker?

Absolutely. Fresh lime, mint and a little simple syrup shaken hard and topped with sparkling water is a cracking drink with no alcohol at all.

Cook with it

Shake my Classic Margarita, then browse my Cocktails recipes.

Updated October 2026. Prices change often, so check before you buy.