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Boston Shaker vs Cobbler Shaker
Two tins against three pieces with a built-in strainer: which shaker to buy first.
Which should you use?
A cobbler is the easier start: it needs no separate strainer and seals without a knack. A Boston is what most bars use: larger, faster to clean and open, and it shakes two drinks at once — but it needs a Hawthorne strainer and a few goes to learn the seal.
| Dimension | Boston shaker | Cobbler shaker |
|---|---|---|
| Pieces | Two: a large tin and a small tin or glass | Three: tin, strainer top and cap |
| Strainer | Separate Hawthorne strainer needed | Built in |
| Capacity | Larger; fits two drinks | Usually one drink |
| Learning curve | Sealing and opening take practice | Little; the cap can stick when cold |
Using one in place of the other
Both make the same drink. The difference is speed, volume and what else you need to buy.
In the recipes on this site
Either makes the same 81 recipes — the choice changes how you work, not what you can make. Boston shaker · Cobbler shaker