For more like this, check out our best cocktail recipes for inspiration on what to shake up first, and see our picks of the best cocktail glasses to serve up your drinks in style. We’ve also picked the best bar carts and trollies to buy, ready for displaying your shaker and drinks collection.
10 best cocktail shakers at a glance
- Best classic cocktail shaker set: VonHaus Manhattan cocktail shaker set, £19.99
- Best budget cocktail shaker: Dunelm gold hammered cocktail shaker, £15
- Best cocktail shaker with measurements: The Alphabet Gift Shop copper cocktail shaker, £29.99
- Best quirky cocktail shaker: Uberstar stainless steel penguin cocktail shaker, £30
- Best large capacity cocktail shaker: OXO stainless steel cocktail shaker, £25
- Best mini cocktail shaker: Oliver Bonas mini silver cocktail shaker, £14.50
- Best modern cocktail shaker: Anthropologie Arlo cocktail shaker, £48
- Best Boston cocktail shaker: Bar Craft Boston cocktail shaker, £21.99
- Best colourful cocktail shaker: Ian Snow floral handpainted stainless steel cocktail shaker, £28
Best cocktail shakers to buy 2024
VonHaus Manhattan cocktail shaker set
Best classic cocktail shaker set
This cocktail shaker set from VonHaus is our favourite all-rounder, including not only a classic Manhattan (also known as cobbler) style cocktail shaker but all the accessories to go with it too – a strainer, muddler, double jigger and measuring spoon, plus a recipe booklet to get you started. It’s available in gold, copper or silver and would make a great housewarming gift.
More like this
Available from:
VonHaus (£19.99)
Amazon (£19.99)
B&Q (£24.99)
Dunelm gold hammered cocktail shaker
Best budget cocktail shaker
We love the statement gold design of this budget cocktail shaker, which looks and feels smart for just £15. The hammered effect on the walls of the shaker not only looks good but provides extra grip when shaking too.
Available from:
Dunelm (£15)
The Alphabet Gift Shop copper cocktail shaker
Best cocktail shaker with measurements
This practical glass cocktail shaker is decorated with all the information you could need to make perfect cocktails every time – recipes for classic drinks (with measurements marked at the bottom), plus a measuring ruler up one side with both ounce and millimetre measures. The copper lid adds a smart finish.
Available from:
Not on the High Street (£29.99)
Uberstar stainless steel penguin cocktail shaker
Best quirky cocktail shaker
We can’t help but smile at the unusual design of this fun cocktail shaker. It would make a great gift or talking point on a bar cart, but the penguin design doesn’t compromise the practicality of the stainless steel shaker, with an easy to grip shape and handy built-in strainer.
Available from:
John Lewis (£30)
Fenwick (£30)
Amazon (£29.99)
OXO stainless steel cocktail shaker
Best large capacity cocktail shaker
Many of the cocktail shakers we saw have a 500-550ml capacity, but this option from OXO holds a generous 680ml. It’s great for whipping up cocktails for a party crowd, with measurements in the cap and a built in strainer. Plus, it’s dishwasher safe for the end of the night.
Available from:
John Lewis (£25)
Amazon (£25.79)
Harts of Stur (£25)
Oliver Bonas mini silver cocktail shaker
Best mini cocktail shaker
This compact cocktail shaker is perfect for making individual drinks. Shake up single martinis to get the perfect ratio every time without doubling up to fill a big cocktail shaker or needing large amounts of ice. This would make a fun stocking filler for Christmas.
Available from:
Oliver Bonas (£14.50)
Anthropologie Arlo cocktail shaker
Best modern cocktail shaker
This simple cocktail shaker has a smooth rounded design that gives an almost retro feel. Available in two pastel shades of blue or yellow, it adds a subtle pop of colour to your next cocktail hour.
Available from:
Anthropologie (£48)
Bar Craft Boston cocktail shaker
Best Boston cocktail shaker
A Boston cocktail shaker is a great choice if you want to truly channel your inner bartender. The two halves slot together to be shaken (preferably above your head for extra kudos) and one half has a silicone rim for spill-free mixing. Whilst Boston cocktail shakers are often plain stainless steel, the tumbler on this shaker has both measurements and a few key recipes (including a margarita and cosmopolitan) on to get you started.
Available from:
Lakeland (£21.99)
Amazon (£13.53)
Harts of Stur (£14.95)
Ian Snow floral handpainted stainless steel cocktail shaker
Best colourful cocktail shaker
If the minimalist stainless steel look of many cocktail shakers isn’t your homewares style, you might love this floral, handpainted option instead. Perfect for lovers of maximalist design, it makes a pretty, colourful statement that is guaranteed to bring cheer to Friday night cocktails.
Available from:
Glassette (£28)
What does a cocktail shaker do?
Cocktails can usually be divided into categories (you may be familiar from James Bond): shaken or stirred. For some cocktails, ingredients are stirred together directly in the glass, usually using a long-handled cocktail spoon. These are often short drinks such as a negroni or Manhattan. A common rule is that when a cocktail is mainly spirits, it is stirred, and if it has juice in as a mixer, it should be shaken.
A cocktail shaker plays a key role in aerating a drink, giving a smooth, more rounded mouthfeel. It also ensures the spirits and any juice mixer, citrus or egg whites (such as in an amaretto sour) are fully combined. Shaking a drink with ice will also mean the ice melts slightly, not only thoroughly chilling the drink, but also balancing the alcohol content.
Which material is best for a cocktail shaker?
Many cocktail shakers will be made from stainless steel. This helps the drink chill quickly – a common way to know when to stop shaking your drink is when the outside of the shaker feels cold to hold. It’s also durable, easy to clean and likely to be dishwasher safe.
Some cocktail shakers may also be made of glass or heavy pyrex – especially Boston style cocktail shakers, where one half is often a mixing glass.
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