Cocktail Sets

First look at the shaker included, because that component determines how the set works. A cobbler shaker has a built-in strainer and a cap that also serves as a measuring cup, so you only need a single tool. A Boston shaker consists of two separate parts that you clamp together, cools faster, and leaks less once you get the hang of it. Beginners will find a cobbler sufficient, while anyone who spends more time behind the bar almost always ends up choosing a Boston.

Then count the components. Four parts generally means a shaker, strainer, jigger, and bar spoon. With five or six, a muddler, ice tongs, or a set of picks is added. Finally, pay attention to the finish. Stainless steel is neutral and scratch-resistant, while copper, gold, and black have a thin coating that requires gentler handling.

Working with a set is quickest when you follow a consistent order. First measure all the liquids in the jigger and pour them into the shaker, then add ice and seal it. Shake vigorously for ten to fifteen seconds, until the outside frosts over, and strain immediately into a pre-chilled glass. Anything with juice, syrup, egg, or cream goes in the shaker. Anything made exclusively with spirits should be stirred with the bar spoon, as this keeps the drink clear.

Some sets are designed around a single recipe. A margarita calls for a salt rim and a sturdy lime squeezer, a mojito a muddler and crushed ice, and a pornstar martini a shaker you can shake hard to create the layer of foam on top.

Rinse the parts straight after use. Citric acid and sugar syrup dry quickly in the seams of a cobbler shaker and are hard to shift afterwards. Untreated stainless steel is dishwasher safe, but do take the parts apart so water cannot sit anywhere.

Coloured versions in copper, gold, black or gunmetal have a thin layer over the steel. That eventually comes loose in a dishwasher and discolours under aggressive detergents. Wash them by hand in lukewarm suds and dry them with a cloth, and the colour will last for years.

If you're looking for individual items instead of a complete set, you'll find the cocktail shakers separately, with bar spoons, jiggers, and strainers also listed in the menu. If you want to take everything with you to another location, check out the bartender rolls, where the tools are stored in a roll-up bag. And if you already have the tools but are missing the glassware, you'll find the shapes used for classic cocktails under cocktail glasses .