Best cocktail shaker: 5 of top buys for home mixologists

Buying the best cocktail shaker? Bring the bar home with these top buys for all abilities (and budgets!)

Best cocktail shaker: Argos rose gold cocktail shaker
(Image credit: Argos)

Looking to buy the best cocktail shaker around? Whether it's in time for making Christmas tipples, or, perhaps you are gifting a cocktail shaker to a friend? Either way, we can help you find a lovely (and practical) option, fit for making espresso martinis, sex on the beach cocktails and more. These cocktail shakers will also look lovely on that bar cart of yours, too.

Looking for cocktail recipes to go with your new shaker? These classics are guaranteed to get the party started.

The best cocktail shakers

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Pineapple Cocktail shaker from Oliver BonasReal Homes Loves badge

(Image credit: Oliver Bonas)

1. Oliver Bonas Pineapple Cocktail Shaker

Best cocktail shaker for the style conscious

Specifications

Material: stainless steel
Size: H29cm x W12cm x D12cm
Dishwasher safe?: no

Reasons to buy

+
Fancy ornament and cocktail shaker in one
+
Matching accessories available 

Reasons to avoid

-
Pretty weighty

Add all the cabana vibes to your drinks trolley with this quirky pineapple shaped number. It’s simple to use, just throw in your ingredients, put on the lid and you are good to go. A great option if you want something that looks great and does the job. Plus there are some super cute matching barware accessories

BarCraft Easy Cocktail Shaker

(Image credit: BarCraft)

2. BarCraft Easy Cocktail Shaker

The best for beginners

Specifications

Material: glass and stainless steel
Size: H26cm
Capacity: 700ml
Dishwasher safe?: no

Reasons to buy

+
Easy to use 
+
Includes six cocktail recipes 

Reasons to avoid

-
Not the best looking 

If you are an expert at drinking cocktails but a novice at making them, this shaker is a good place to start. It’s pretty basic in terms of design, but the body includes recipes for six cocktails – Martini Dry, Rob Roy, Red Lion, Manhattan, Bronx and Vodka Dryplus – plus 'mix-to-the-line' markers so you don’t have to buy a jigger. Or stock up on recipe books.

Bloomingville cocktail shaker

(Image credit: Bloomingville)

3. Bloomingville Glass Cocktail Shaker

Bring back the roaring '20s

Specifications

Material: glass and stainless steel
Size: H22cm x W8cm
Capacity: 385ml **Dishwasher safe?** no

Reasons to buy

+
Lovely vintage look

Reasons to avoid

-
Small capacity 

There’s something very Gatsby-esque about this cocktail shaker, the textured glass and classic shape definitely give it a lovely vintage look. Just team it with some delicate martini glasses and keep the sidecars flowing. 

Argos rose gold cocktail shaker

(Image credit: Argos)

4. Argos Rose Gold Cocktail Shaker

A cocktail making lesson and a shaker combined

Specifications

Material: stainless steel
Size: H24cm x W8.5cm
Capacity: 750ml **Dishwasher safe?** YES (FINALLY!!)

Reasons to buy

+
Can be bunged in the dishwasher
+
Generous capacity 
+
Easy to follow recipes 

Reasons to avoid

-
We love it – it goes in the dishwasher

Another snazzy one for beginners. This shaker rotates to reveal eight delicious cocktail recipes, including daiquiris and mai tais. It looks the part and is great value since you don’t need to buy any extras. 

VonShef Matte Black Cocktail Set

(Image credit: VonShef)

5. VonShef Matte Black Cocktail Set

The full monty

Specifications

Material: stainless steel
Size: H24cm x W9cm
Capacity: 550ml **Dishwasher safe?** no

Reasons to buy

+
Comes will all the trimmings
+
Professional quality and finish 

Reasons to avoid

-
The sheer amount of kit may be a bit overwhelming for beginners...  

This is a serious piece of kit, and you definitely get a lot for your money. This isn’t just a cocktail shaker, oh no, this is a nine piece cocktail making set, complete with a muddler, bar spoon, strainer, sieve, a double ended jigger and a recipe book! It also comes in rose gold, because, really, what doesn’t these days?

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Hebe Hatton

Hebe joined the Real Homes team in early 2018 as Staff Writer before moving to the Livingetc team in 2021 where she took on a role as Digital Editor. She loves boho and 70's style and is a big fan of Instagram as a source of interiors inspiration. When she isn't writing about interiors, she is renovating her own spaces – be it wallpapering a hallway, painting kitchen cupboards or converting a van.

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