Shakers are perhaps the most iconic element of the bartender’s tools.  From movies to social media, to standing live at the bar, when a bartender begins using his shakers, there is no question what is about to happen!  (Flair while doing it, on the other hand, is an art in and of itself.)  Shakers are essential to creating many popular libations, especially those drinks containing fruit juices and egg whites.  Before mixing glasses came into prominence, nearly all drinks that weren’t built directly in the glass were shaken with ice and strained into a cocktail glass–including the martini.

There are different types of shakers, the most popular being the cobbler shaker and the tin-on-tin shaker.

The cobbler shaker comes in three pieces, a base, a top with a strainer built into it, and the cap.  The ingredients are added to the base, the top and cap added, and then the cocktail is shaken vigorously.  An advantage to the cobbler shaker is that the strainer at the top allows the cocktail to be poured directly from the shaker into the awaiting glassware.  A disadvantage of this type of shaker is that, when cold, the top can be difficult to remove.

By comparison, the tin-on-tin shaker consists of two separate tins, commonly a 12–18-ounce tin and a 28-ounce. tin, that fit nicely together and create a seal when cold.  The drink ingredients are put into the 12-ounce tin (think of this as a way to keep from overfilling the tin.)  Ice is added to the larger tin, and the two closed together (the smaller fits into the larger.)  A tap on the top, and the two create a seal which keeps the liquid from exiting the shaker until the bartender is ready.  Once the shaking is done, a brisk tap to the side of the shaker releases the seal and opens the tins.  A disadvantage of this shaker is that to strain the cocktail, a Hawthorne strainer or Julep strainer has to be used.  Not really a burden, just another tool.  A variation of this is to use a pint glass as the smaller tin, called a Boston Shaker.  (Note: While flashy, the glass pint glass can break if dropped.)