Comments on: Tips for beginners: Cocktail shakers

By: Jay

Jay — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 19:06:31 +0000

Wow that shaker tin is stupidly cheap Phil! Is it just a regular pint glass you use? I don’t think I’d have the confidence to hit a pint glass in fear of it breaking, but maybe that says more about the quality of my pint glasses than anything…

Doug – I agree the cobbler shaker is probably the best looking of all the shakers, although some of the French shakers have a very sleek aesthetic that appeals to the minimalist in me.

By: Doug Winship

Doug Winship — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 12:06:14 +0000

I use the Cobbler Shaker (and own about seven, in various sizes) for one reason: Aesthetics.

The Boston Shaker is just utilitarian. It is more efficient. It is much faster. But I make drinks for myself, or a few friends at a time, so time is not an issue. What is, is the simple joy of the experience. The Cobbler is evocative of a more elegant lifestyle.

Now, having said that, there are reasons that I have seven shakers. One is the collector in me. But the most important is the point you make about stuck lids, especially under temperature changes. Several shakers just sit there and look pretty. The ones I use are ones that have tested to still function when cold!

By: Phil

Phil — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 17:59:52 +0000

When I was first looking for a Boston shaker, I was appalled by how expensive they were– the WMF one is $40. I then found a metal half at Surfas (https://www.surfasonline.com/products/6797.cfm) for under $3 and I use a pint glass for the top. I like the OXO Hawthorn strainer, which has the nice ergonomics that OXO’s known for.