How to Shake a Cocktail Properly: Top Tips and Tricks

How to Shake a Cocktail
Table of Contents

What are the different types of cocktail shakers?

Cobbler Shaker

A cobbler shaker is a unique and versatile tool used for shaking and making cocktails. It has a three-piece design consisting of a shaker body, a built-in strainer, and a strainer cap. With the help of this tool, you can create delicious drinks with ease. Additionally, cobbler shakers are also great for muddling fruits and herbs in order to infuse them into your drinks. This tool is perfect for both home bartenders as well as professional mixologists who want to make perfect cocktails quickly and easily.

Cobbler Shaker

Boston Shaker

The Boston shaker is an essential tool for any bartender. It is a two-piece shaker consisting of a metal tin and mixing glass. Most times, the metal tin will be larger than the mixing glass.

As said, this shaker is an essential part of any bartender’s toolkit, as it allows for precise measurements and fast mixing of ingredients. Its simplicity and versatility make it one of the most popular cocktail tools in use today. It is also used to muddle ingredients such as fruits and herbs to create unique flavors for cocktails. With the Boston shaker, bartenders can quickly make drinks without having to worry about spills or messes. Additionally, its design makes it easy to store and transport between different bars or restaurants.

Boston Shaker

Parisian Shaker

The Parisian shaker is in-between the Cobbler and Boston Shaker. It has 2 parts: A deeper metal tin that should be stored the ingredients of the cocktail, and a shallower metal tin that also acts as a lid.

Parisian Shaker

How to shake a cocktail in the right way

  1. Add ice cubes to the cocktail shaker.

  2. Pour your chosen cocktail ingredients into the shaker and secure it tightly.

  3. Hold the shaker and rotate it to its side, creating a 90-degree angle.

  4. To get the best results, shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds.

  5. Open the lid of the shaker and strain your drink into a cocktail glass.

how to shake a cocktail guide

Tips for beginners

  1. When making a cocktail with a Boston shaker, and a pint glass as the mixing vessel, it is advised to avoid smacking the shaker against any hard surface, If you do not wish to have shards of glass in your beverage. Generally, unlocking this shaker only requires a light grip and a slight smack movement on the mixing glass.

  2. To make the most out of your shaker, always keep it in a horizontal position. This will create maximum surface area contact between the ice and cocktail ingredients to the metal tins, ensuring an optimal taste result.

  3. If you use a cobbler shaker, use it with the cap, and point it behind you when you shake. The cap is designed to prevent leaking.

  4. When shaking a cocktail with the Boston shaker, add all of the ingredients to the mixing glass, and fill the metal tin with ice, then slap the mixing glass into the metal tin.