Two-piece shaker consisting of a large metal tin and a mixing glass or second tin. Fast, versatile, and a favorite among professionals.

The Boston shaker is the workhorse of professional bars worldwide, comprising two vessels that nest together: traditionally an 18oz weighted mixing tin paired with a 28oz larger tin (the modern standard), or the classic combo of a metal tin with a pint glass. This design emerged in Boston's bar scene during the late 19th century and quickly became the professional's choice for its speed, durability, and large capacity—essential when making multiple drinks during a busy service.

What makes the Boston shaker legendary is its efficiency and versatility. The two-tin version can handle batch cocktails for parties, won't shatter if dropped, and creates an excellent seal through the pressure differential when filled with ice. Professional bartenders can shake, break the seal with a firm palm strike, and strain in seconds—a rhythm that becomes second nature with practice. The larger volume also means better aeration and dilution control, especially important for citrus-forward cocktails like Margaritas and Daiquiris that need aggressive shaking to properly integrate and brighten the flavors.

Cinematic icon Tom Cruise immortalized the Boston shaker in the 1988 film 'Cocktail,' where his flair bartending showcased the shaker's dynamic potential. The movie sparked a cocktail renaissance and made the Boston shaker synonymous with bartending itself. Today, walk into any craft cocktail bar from New York to Tokyo, and you'll see rows of gleaming Boston shakers lined up, ready for service. The late Sasha Petraske, founder of Milk & Honey and godfather of the modern speakeasy movement, insisted his bartenders master the Boston shaker—no caps, no shortcuts—believing it represented the foundation of serious bartending.

For home bartenders ready to level up, the Boston shaker is an investment in technique. The learning curve is real: you'll need to practice the seal (tap firmly at an angle, don't force it straight down) and the break (strike the side where the tins meet, about 2 inches below the rim). Once mastered, though, you'll appreciate why professionals never look back. Pro tip: always use the larger tin as your base when pouring spirits—this gives you more room to work and better control when adding ice.

Three-piece shaker with built-in strainer and cap. Beginner friendly and tidy, ideal for home bartenders and smaller serves.

As a home bartender myself, the Cobbler shaker is my daily driver and the tool I reach for most often. Its three-piece design—a base tin, built-in strainer top, and small cap—makes it incredibly approachable for anyone starting their cocktail journey. There's something satisfying about having everything you need in one elegant package: you shake, remove the cap, and pour directly through the integrated strainer. No juggling multiple tools, no separate strainer to fumble with when you're making drinks for friends. It's tidy, contained, and builds confidence quickly.

The Cobbler shaker traces its roots to the late 1800s, named after the popular sherry cobbler—a refreshing mix of sherry, sugar, and fruit that became the Instagram-worthy drink of Victorian America. The built-in strainer was revolutionary, designed specifically to catch the muddled fruit and crushed ice that defined the drink. This innovation made cocktail-making accessible to home entertainers, not just professional barkeeps. The Cobbler quickly became a symbol of sophistication in American households, often crafted in gleaming silver or Art Deco chrome, displayed proudly on home bar carts during the 1920s-1930s cocktail golden age.

What I love most about the Cobbler is its forgiving nature. The seal happens naturally when you shake—cold contracts the metal, creating a tight fit without requiring perfect technique. For making one or two drinks at home, the capacity is just right: a 16-24oz Cobbler handles a standard cocktail with room for ice without the bulk of a Boston shaker. It's also quieter than metal-on-metal Boston tins, which matters when you're mixing drinks late at night or in an apartment with thin walls. The built-in strainer works beautifully for drinks without much pulp—think Margaritas, Daiquiris, and Whiskey Sours.

Famous bartenders like Dale DeGroff, 'The King of Cocktails,' have championed the Cobbler for home use, acknowledging that while he uses a Boston at work, a quality Cobbler is perfect for the home bar. Modern craft cocktail culture has seen a Cobbler renaissance, with premium versions from brands like Koriko and Cocktail Kingdom bringing back the elegance in weighted, beautifully balanced designs.

A word of caution from experience: when your Cobbler gets very cold (especially during hard shaking), the strainer top can temporarily freeze shut. Don't panic or force it—run warm water over the seam for a few seconds, and it'll open smoothly. Also, if you're making drinks with lots of fresh citrus or muddled herbs, the strainer holes can clog. A quick rinse between drinks keeps everything flowing. Despite these minor quirks, the Cobbler remains my recommendation for anyone building their first home bar—it's where I started, and it's still the shaker I use when making a classic Daiquiri on a quiet evening.

Two-piece metal shaker with hourglass silhouette. Elegant and seals well; slightly smaller than a Boston, with smoother lines.

The French shaker—also known as the Parisian shaker—is the elegant sophisticate of the shaker family. Its distinctive hourglass silhouette and seamless two-piece design make it as much a work of art as a functional tool. Unlike the utilitarian Boston with its straight lines, the French shaker curves gracefully, with a smaller top tin that fits snugly into a slightly tapered base. This design creates an excellent seal through precise metalwork rather than pressure, resulting in a shaker that feels refined and intentional in hand.

Originating in France during the early 20th century, this shaker became synonymous with European cocktail culture and the sophisticated café scene of Paris. While American bartenders were perfecting speed with Boston shakers during Prohibition's speakeasy era, French bartenders favored this more refined tool that matched the elegance of their establishments. The all-metal construction—often in polished stainless steel or copper—meant no glass to break, making it practical for bustling brasseries and hotel bars. Its moderate capacity (typically 16-20oz) was perfect for the careful, measured approach to cocktail-making that characterized French bar culture.

What sets the French shaker apart is its aesthetic appeal and superior seal. The two pieces fit together with precision engineering, creating a watertight seal that rarely leaks—even for beginners. This makes it an excellent choice for bartenders who appreciate beautiful tools and want something between the Cobbler's beginner-friendliness and the Boston's professional speed. The smooth exterior also makes it easier to clean and maintain than a Cobbler's multi-piece design, with no strainer holes to clog or cap threads to worry about.

The French shaker experienced a renaissance in modern craft cocktail culture, championed by bartenders who appreciate its European heritage and striking appearance. You'll find it featured prominently in elegant cocktail lounges and high-end hotel bars, where presentation matters as much as the drink itself. James Bond creator Ian Fleming described a silver French shaker in several novels, adding to its association with sophistication and refined taste—though Bond's signature Martinis were technically stirred, not shaken, making the shaker more of a stylish prop in the films.

One notable characteristic: because the seal is so good, opening a French shaker after vigorous shaking can require technique. The metal contracts with cold, creating a tight fit that needs a firm twist or a strategic tap at the seam. Some bartenders run warm water briefly over the joint, while others develop a practiced twist-and-pull motion. This isn't necessarily a drawback—it's part of the ritual that makes using a French shaker feel special. For home bartenders who value aesthetics and don't need to make drinks at professional speed, the French shaker offers the perfect balance of form and function. It's the shaker you display proudly on your bar cart, the one that makes you feel like you're mixing drinks in a Belle Époque Parisian café, even if you're just in your kitchen making a Sidecar.