The 12 Best Cocktail Shakers, According to Drinks Pros

“If you’re physically stronger (it’s heavy), it’s the way to go,” says Christopher Huang, owner of the Ninja Ramen in Houston, Texas. 

Piña Barware bills its shakers as ergonomically correct and built specifically for use in the commercial service industry. However, bartenders warn that the Piña shakers are a bit larger and heavier than most other brands, so be prepared to build your biceps. 

“Viski’s Boston shaker is my current go-to for most consulting jobs and events,” says Kristine Bocchino, U.S. and European beverage consultant in Los Angeles and Milan, and former beverage director for Four Seasons hotels. “They also make a great, affordable starter set.” 

Started by self-described “home mixology enthusiasts,” Viski specializes in decorative barware, including whimsical shakers shaped like penguins and rocket ships. 

These Boston shaker sets in various finishes, including gold, copper and bronze, gather praise for their durability. “For me, it’s the quality and longevity for price,” says Anthony DeSerio, a Branford, Connecticut-based beverage professional/consultant. “The plating stays on and over time shows no wear and tear. They can take a beating.”

Michael Goff of NYC’s Moonrise Izakaya feels similarly about a weighted model. “The weld on those weighted end caps goes all the way around instead of spot welding, so they seem to hold up a lot better,” he says.

Part of a larger bar collection designed by Chicago bar veteran Charles Joly, this shaker has plenty of fans among fellow pros. Kim Haasarud, founder and owner of The Cocktail Collaborative in Phoenix, Arizona, lauds the thoughtful design touches, such as a footed bottom on the shakers so they don’t tip over easily. 

“I definitely have my klutzy moments behind the bar,” she says with a laugh. 

Plus, she says, “the smaller tin is also ribbed so if you slide it into the bigger tin, it doesn’t get stuck.” Similarly, Ryan Hooks, bar manager at Los Angeles’s Alma Cocina, points out that the tins are “designed slightly narrower to fit men’s and women’s hands easily.” 

Koriko’s weighted tin-on-tin shakers are an industry standard amongst bartenders. The stainless-steel version is priced under $20, while the gold-plated and matte black range from $35 to $50. 

“They’re fairly cheap, very durable [and] they seal beautifully,” says Deke Dunne, bar director at Allegory in Washington, D.C.  

Dunne also says they have “a really nice feel and [are] easy to get apart, they don’t stick… I’ve been using these for years.”  

“Koriko is tried and true for a reason,” adds Ben Lieppman, bar manager at RPM Seafood in Chicago. “It’s durable, has the perfect amount of weight and is easy to get a seal to prevent leakage.”  

Bartenders described this weighted tin-on-tin shaker as a particularly durable workhorse. 

“They have a solid, continuous weld all around the base [that’s] still very discrete, as opposed to the standard three, four or five-point welding that most others have,” says Miguel Lancha, cocktail innovator at ThinkFoodGroup in Washington, D.C. 

“I prefer the Twelve24 [brand], for seal, durability and size,” says Phoebe Esmon, partner at Spirit Animal Beverage Solutions in Asheville, North Carolina. 

This two-piece set is made with weighted bottoms for extra stability. 

“I’ve been using mine behind the bar every night for six years now,” says Jason Pollard, managing partner at The Usual in Fort Worth, Texas. While the matte brushed-steel finish is “sexy,” Pollard says, it’s functional too, minimizing fingerprints and making it easier to grip with wet hands. 

Meanwhile, Staten Island, New York-based independent consultant Nick Venditti recommends the elegant–but–sturdy Leopold shaking tins sold by Cocktail Kingdom. “The shape and seal is just a bit more refined than the standard Korikos,” he explains. Bonus: “The lip on the bottom opens up a whole new world of tin flip tricks—if you’re into that sort of thing.” 

Among three-piece cobbler shakers, a top pick is the super-rounded Birdy. It was designed by London bartender Erik Lorincz, previously head bartender at the American Bar at The Savoy Hotel. 

“For cocktails that have only spirits or a very low amount of juice/syrup such as a Vesper, martini or a classic margarita, I usually prefer to use a cobbler shaker or Japanese shaker,” says Longo. “My favorite is Birdy by Erik Lorincz. With this shaker you have to use a very particular technique created by Japanese bartenders”—the hard shake—”where basically the ice inside floats in circles, giving the right aeration to the drink without giving dilution.” 

Since the three-piece shaker was popularized by Japanese bartenders, it makes sense that Yukiwa, a producer from Japan has grown in popularity. Some pros also use Yukiwa’s two-piece sets. 

“When I discovered the tin-on-tin Yukiwa, it was a revelation,” says Julian de Féral, an international cocktail consultant based in London. “They are sturdy, with no give at all, and they fit together like a dream. I also like that they have no seam, so less place for grime to hide. The finishes are also lovely—the matte finish I chose really stands out as a point of difference on a bar. The downside is that they are several times more expensive than Korikos; however, I see them as a lifetime investment.” 

A shiny accompaniment to all of your fancy top-shelf liquors, this bar set sparkles brightly, giving you everything you need for a perfect holiday get-together: ice bucket, scooper, shaker, jigger, strainer, stirrer and tray. As beautiful as it is functional, it’s a hand wash-only item that you won’t mind doing dishes for. 

“A Parisian style shaker is a great item to add to any home collection. They are a lot more captivating to look at than the workhorse shaker tins we use every day behind the bar,” says Demi Natoli, beverage director within The Graduate Hotel in Nashville.  

Though it can be on the pricey side, Natoli recommends this option from Cocktail Kingdom. “The silver-plated material will help keep it looking beautiful for many years,” she adds.