Cocktail & Bar

Boston Shaker

Two tins that seal by friction and never seize

Serve stage
Boston Shaker — illustrated reference plate3D model available
Specification
What it doesTwo tins — one slightly smaller — are pressed together to form a seal, shaken, and separated with a light tap. Ice and dilution are controlled by how long you shake.
Why two tinsA three-piece (cobbler) shaker has a built-in strainer and a cap. It looks easier but the cap seizes when sugar or juice dries in the threads, and the built-in strainer is worse than a separate one.
Weighted or unweightedA weighted base keeps the shaker stable and is easier to hold; an unweighted tin is lighter and cheaper but dents more easily.
SealThe seal is friction, not a thread. A light tap on the side of the small tin breaks it. Never twist.
Shake time10–15 seconds for a normal drink. Longer adds dilution, not cold.
MaterialsStainless steel, unlined. Avoid plastic shakers — they crack and hold odours.

Overview

A weighted tin and a smaller tin that nest to form a seal. Durable, easy to clean, and it does not jam the way a three-piece shaker does.

Cold Brew
Safety

A shaker full of ice and spirit is a pressure vessel. Point it away from your face and anyone nearby when you break the seal, and never shake a carbonated ingredient.

Technical parameters

At a glance
Tin sizesLarge ~800 ml, small ~500 ml (typical)
SealFriction fit, no thread
Shake time10–15 s
MaterialStainless steel, unlined
Dilution~20–25% for a standard shake
CleaningRinse immediately; hand wash

What actually goes wrong

  • Fill two-thirds with ice — too little ice means more dilution, not less.
  • Shake hard for ten to fifteen seconds, then taste before serving.
  • Rinse it the moment you finish or the sugar dries and the tins stick.

What it has to match up with

  • Hawthorne strainer
  • Jigger
  • Fine strainer for double straining
See it in 3D

The Cocktail Mix Simulator models this in three dimensions and shows the numbers changing as you adjust it. It is a teaching simulation, not a substitute for the equipment’s own instructions.

This guide is an independent educational reference. It is not a substitute for the instructions supplied with your own equipment, and nothing here is sold, sponsored or endorsed by any brand.

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