Cocktail Shaker

One of the most important pieces of equipment you'll need is the cocktail shaker. There are two basic types of shakers available:

Standard Shaker

Also known as the European shaker, the standard cocktail shaker consists of three sections: the mixer base, the strainer top and the lid. The mixer base is made from glass or metal, onto which the metal strainer top and lid is fitted. The top has a built-in strainer, through which the shaken or stirred cocktail is poured.

To use this style of shaker, remove the strainer top and lid, add the ingredients and the ice, then replace the top sections and shake the contents well. Remove the lid on the very top of the shaker to reveal the built-in strainer, and then simply strain the contents into a glass. It is important that the shaker does not leak from the seal between the base and the top whilst pouring into a glass.

Boston Shaker

Also known as the American shaker, the Boston shaker consists of two flat-bottomed cones or tumblers; one made from glass and a slightly larger one made from metal.

The ingredients and ice are added to the glass tumbler and the metal section placed carefully on top. The two sections are sealed together by a firm and swift slap to the top of the metal tumbler. The shaker is then inverted so that the metal section is below the glass one, and the cocktail is shaken until the metal tumbler becomes almost too cold to hold. To unseal the two sections, the metal tumbler should be tapped firmly with the heel of the palm at the point where it comes into contact with the glass tumbler - usually on the side that the glass is leaning towards. As the Boston shaker does not incorporate a built-in strainer, the cocktail should then be poured through a separate strainer.