Strainer

Whilst a standard cocktail shaker incorporates a strainer in its lid, if you use a Boston shaker, then you'll need to have a separate strainer on hand. Cocktail strainers come in two varieties, known as a Hawthorn Strainer and a Julep Strainer.

Hawthorn Strainer

The Hawthorn strainer is the most commonly used variety of cocktail strainer, and consists of a metal disc with a number of holes and slots cut into it. It also has a wire coil around the outside of the disc, which enables the strainer to fit neatly on top of the metal half of the Boston shaker. The strainer keeps ice in the shaker, but allows fruit pulp and small shards of ice into the glass.

Julep Strainer

A Julep strainer is designed in the shape of a large soup spoon, with a number of holes studded across it. It fits neatly inside the glass part of a Boston shaker. As this type of strainer has smaller holes than the Hawthorn strainer, it is ideal for Martinis and Manhattans and any other cocktails that need to be kept as pure as possible.