Before you read: When you buy through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend things I'd be happy to use in my own kitchen.

Which one should you buy?

Look for a Hawthorne strainer with tight coils, long wings and a tab for your finger. The Koriko does it best, and there are two good cheaper ones:

A Hawthorne strainer is a small thing that makes a big difference. Without one, your lovely shaken drink arrives with a slush of broken ice and bits of mint floating in it. With one, it pours clean and stays cold.

If you've bought a Boston Shaker, this isn't optional. A Boston shaker has no strainer of its own, so you need one of these to get the drink out and leave the ice behind.

How a Hawthorne strainer works

It's the flat, paddle-shaped strainer with a coiled spring running around the edge. The flat plate stops the ice cubes. The spring sits inside the mouth of the tin and does two jobs: it fits snugly into tins of different sizes, and it acts as a sieve, catching the smaller bits of ice, fruit and herbs.

The little wings or prongs that stick out rest on the rim of the tin, so the strainer stays put while you pour. The tab at the front is for your finger, and it's the clever bit.

Closing the gate

Bartenders call this "closing the gate". Press the tab forward with your finger, so the edge of the strainer sits snug against the rim of the tin. That squeezes the coil and narrows the gap, and you get a finer, cleaner pour. Ease the tab back to open the gate, and the drink comes through faster, with more little ice chips. So: push forward for fine, ease back for fast.

Koriko Hawthorne Strainer at a glance

What to look for in a Hawthorne strainer

• Tight coils. The closer the turns of the spring, the less ice and pulp gets into your glass.

• Long wings. They keep the strainer steady on the tin, so it doesn't slide off mid-pour.

• A finger tab. You need something to press on to close the gate.

• A good fit. It should sit securely in both the big tin and the glass of a Boston shaker.

• A comfortable grip. You'll hold it with wet, cold fingers, so it shouldn't feel slippery or awkward.

The Koriko has the tightest coil of the lot, long wings and a proper tab. The only thing it asks of you is a quick rinse straight after use.

Who it suits, and who should skip it

Good for you if

• You use a Boston shaker (you need one)

• Your cobbler shaker's built-in strainer has big holes and lets ice through

• You make drinks with muddled mint or fruit

Skip it if

• You only make the odd simple drink in a cobbler shaker and you're happy with its built-in strainer

• You want the cheapest option that works: the HIC is very close for about half the price

How to get the best from it

Strain from the tin

After shaking, open the shaker and pour from the metal tin. Place the strainer on top with the spring inside the tin and the wings resting on the rim. Hold it in place with your index finger on the tab, wrap your other fingers round the tin, and pour.

Fine or fast

For a clean drink, push the tab forward to close the gate. For a drink served over fresh ice, where a few small chips don't matter, ease it back and pour faster.

When to double-strain

For drinks served without ice, or anything with muddled herbs or fruit, hold a fine mesh small strainer over the glass and pour through both. It catches the tiny ice chips and bits of leaf, and the drink is silky.

Looking after it

• Rinse it straight away. Mint and citrus pulp love to hide in the coil, and they're much easier to shift before they dry.

• Use a small brush to get between the coils if anything sticks.

• Dishwasher is fine. It's stainless steel, but a rinse first helps.

• Don't stretch the spring. Pulling it out of shape makes the gaps wider.

The one rule

Rinse it the moment you've poured. Dried mint in a tight coil is a fiddly job nobody wants.

Questions people ask

What is the spring on a Hawthorne strainer for?

It lets the strainer fit tins of different sizes, and it catches the bits of ice and pulp the flat plate can't. Pressing the tab forward squeezes the spring for a finer strain.

Which way do I push the strainer for a finer strain?

Forward. Push the tab towards the rim so the strainer sits snug, and the gap closes. Ease it back for a faster pour.

Do I need to double-strain?

For drinks served without ice, or with muddled herbs or fruit, yes. Use a Hawthorne and a fine mesh strainer together.

Will it fit my shaker?

A good Hawthorne fits the tin and the glass of a standard Boston shaker. The spring adjusts to the size, and the wings rest on the rim.

Hawthorne or julep strainer?

Use a Hawthorne for shaken drinks. A julep strainer, the perforated spoon-shaped one, is usually used with a mixing glass for stirred drinks.

Cook with it

Pair it with a Boston Shaker, then try my Best Classic Cocktail Recipes.

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