How to Use a Boston Shaker

There are two basic kinds of cocktail shakers: Boston shakers and cobbler shakers. And while cobbler shakers are generally easier to find at retail and easier to use, Boston shakers remain the tools of the professional. They’re versatile, easy to clean and, with a little practice, much faster to mix with.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Boston shaker, consisting of a glass tumbler and metal tumbler
• Array of liquors and mixers
• Ice
• Serving glass

1. Set the glass tumbler upright on a table or counter and fill with your liquid drink ingredients, pouring liquors first and mixers second. Add ice until the tumbler is about 75 percent full.

2. Place the metal tumbler face-down over the glass tumbler. Give the bottom of the metal tumbler a firm thump with your palm or fist. This should create a strong seal. Test the seal by grabbing the metal tumbler only and lifting it just slightly above the counter. It should hold.

3. Grab the metal tumbler with one hand and the glass tumbler with the other, and shake as vigorously as you can. Stop when the metal tumbler is almost too cold to handle, which should only take about 10 or 15 seconds.

4. Break the seal by using the heel or side of your hand to slap the metal tumbler where it meets the rim of the glass tumbler. If the metal tumbler is leaning to one side, slap it on that side.

5. Place the metal tumbler over the glass tumbler again, but do not create a seal. Turn both tumblers sideways and position the rim of the metal tumbler directly over the serving glass. Slowly open a gap between the rims of the two tumblers so that the drink pours out into the serving glass and the ice remains inside the tumblers.

Tips & Warnings

• If you need to practice this technique, try it with water a few times.
• Do not use anything but your hand to try to break the suction seal on a Boston shaker. If you break the glass, you’ll possibly cut yourself and definitely make a mess.

[Cherst1031]

on 3/14/2008 Thanks, this is really helpful information! I bought one of these shakers at Pier 1 because it was a really pretty swirled glass and I had a recipe, but it has been in storage ever since because I didn't really know how to use it. Very useful article!