Are you looking for the perfect shaker to prepare popular drinks in the comfort of your own home?
Wondering how to choose a cocktail shaker that meets the expectations of both professional bartenders and amateur mixologists? You are in the right place!
In our store, you can buy shakers that perfectly combine functionality with an elegant look. Choosing the right shaker is key to preparing the perfect cocktail, so in this article, we will look at the different types of shakers, their pros and cons. We will explain why a stainless steel shaker is the best choice.
Different types of cocktail shakers – how to choose a product for home use? The Boston Shaker
The Cocktail Shaker is an indispensable element of a bartender’s work. It is extremely popular both in professional bars and clubs, where it is used many times every night, and in homes, where it doesn’t have time to gather dust. In this article, you will learn how to choose the ideal shaker for home use by first understanding the types and differences. Let’s start with shape and functionality. There are two main types of shakers: two-piece and three-piece. The two-piece shaker, known as the Boston Shaker, is the most widespread in bars, restaurants, and clubs around the world. The Boston shaker can be made of two metal parts or a combination of a larger metal cup and a smaller glass one. However, because glass handles contact with metal poorly, the version with a glass part is less popular. It often happens that the glass breaks upon impact, rendering the shaker incomplete.
Two-piece bartender shaker – pros:
– the Boston shaker consisting of two metal elements is safe, easy, and very fast to handle,
– allows you to mix several drinks at once,
– the large cup itself gives us the ability to shake in combination with other large glasses like highballs or whisky glasses,
– apart from shaking, we can use it for “Throwing,” i.e., pouring the drink from cup to cup from a greater distance,
– good for mixing various types of drinks,
– rarely jams,
– easy to pour the entire cocktail along with the ice into the glass (dirty pour).
Cons of the two-piece Boston shaker:
– it is harder to strain the cocktail from the ice using just the two cups; for convenient straining, we need an additional Hawthorne strainer
Three-piece French shaker – how does it differ from its Boston cousin?
The three-piece shaker, known as the French shaker, is a classic shaker with the great advantage of having a built-in strainer. The French shaker consists of 3 elements: a large cup, a top part with a strainer, and a cap. Three-piece French shakers stand out with their elegant design and ease of use. Their construction makes them a good choice for beginners in mixology because they eliminate the need for additional tools to filter cocktails. French shakers are valued for their stylish aesthetics and functionality, making them both practical and decorative equipment for any home bar.
Three-piece bartender shaker – pros:
– is simple to operate
– works well if we prepare drinks sporadically
– a big advantage of this shaker is the built-in strainer
– convenient to use when straining drinks served without ice, e.g., in a Martini glass, or poured over fresh ice
Cons of the three-piece French shaker:
– straining drinks with fruit is sometimes problematic because the fruit clogs the strainer
– “throwing” (pouring from cup to cup) is not possible
– harder to open if we want to pour the entire cocktail along with the ice into the glass
– in 90% of French shaker shapes, it is not possible to shake in combination with another glass
– sometimes they jam (create a vacuum seal during shaking and are problematic to open)
As we can see, the Boston shaker seems to be the more practical shaker, which is why it is the most frequently used shaker in gastronomy. However, due to the built-in strainer that allows us to strain the cocktail from the ice, the three-piece French shakers are often chosen for homes.
Bartender shakers for the home bar – pay attention to quality
It’s also worth thinking about the drinks we make at home. A Boston shaker will certainly be a better choice if, after shaking, we pour the entire cocktail along with the ice into the glass (without straining). Regardless of whether we choose a shaker for home or bar use, it is worth choosing one of better quality. Unfortunately, the cheapest shakers, made of poor metal, will jam, be hard to open, and after some time will warp and lose their shape, causing them to leak, requiring replacement. A shaker is most often used at parties, evening chillouts, or moments of celebration, so it’s worth ensuring it functions well and doesn’t cause additional problems during use.
In summary, choosing the right cocktail shaker has a significant impact on the quality and style of the prepared cocktails. The tin-on-tin shaker, or Boston shaker, popular among professional bartenders, is an excellent option for home use. Every shaker sold in our store, made of stainless steel, ensures durability, ease of use, and an elegant look. It is important to choose a shaker that not only looks good but is also functional. Check out our cocktail mixers!
Remember, using a shaker is not only a matter of practice but also an element of the art of bartending, which can bring a lot of joy and satisfaction when preparing drinks for yourself and your guests.
Happy shaking!
Marek
Interested in the art of making drinks? See how to make a cocktail with MixMe bases!