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Integral to any home bar, these are the cocktail shakers our drinks expert swears by

A reliable cocktail shaker is crucial kit for your home bar cart. While you may have made it this far sans shaker, it’s no life limiting yourself to drinks muddled in the glass. And, no, that protein shaker is not a tenable substitute.

The investment will open the door to a whole host of classic cocktails — from pre-dinner gin martinis to smoked whisky sours — which is why we’ve collated our expert guide on the best cocktail shakers to buy right now.

You already know our answer to this. Cocktail shakers are indispensable when it comes to combining ingredients with different textures (think: egg whites, citrus, liqueurs and syrups). With a simple shake, you create a mélange of complex flavours, and recreate that all-important foamy top by aerating the mixture for sours and fizzes.

Shaking over ice also chills your mix without over diluting or dialling down the cocktail’s character. For this reason, we always recommend chilling your glasses down for 30 minutes in the freezer prior to pouring.

Preferred by professionals, the Boston shaker is a set of mixing tins that create a seal when placed together. The Boston makes quicker work of mixing and is easier to clean, though it does require a touch more skill and doesn’t include a built-in strainer, which can be purchased separately.

The MVP of most home bars, the cobbler is a workhorse shaker composed of a tin, cap and built-in strainer for removing any ice and fruit from the final cocktail. There’s very little room for error, making them the go-to for beginners, though they do tend to have a smaller capacity than the Boston, which is worth knowing if you’re looking to create craft cocktails for a crowd.

We’ve handpicked the best-performing cocktail shakers for your bar cart. Each was assessed for its durability, aesthetics and, most importantly, ability to create a smooth cocktail at the perfect sipping temperature.

As chic as it is versatile, Urban Bar’s three-piece shaker is the upgrade your bar cart deserves. Crafted from durable Japanese steel and gold plate, with a 50cl capacity, it’ll see you through decades of cocktail making. Pair with the matching jigger for maximum functionality.

Of Alessi’s extensive bar range, the 870 stainless steel shaker is one of its all-time best-sellers, with over one million sold (and it’s not hard to see why). The sleek mirrored finish not only looks the part but the functionality is second to none, with a streamlined framework that makes quick, clean work of all the classics.

Giant of contemporary Italian design, Gioi, has collaborated with Lebanese designer Samer Alameen to create the Barock Boston shaker. The attention to detail is clear; crafted in robust, titanium-plated brass with a gilded interior, it’s one for confident cocktail connoisseurs. We’ve already got our eye on the bottle rack and ice set.

If your bar cart favours 1920s gilded glamour over mid-century design, this timeless Waterford cocktail shaker is the way to go. The linear cut glass design takes inspiration from sugar cane (a key component in rum), and will stand the test of time, both in durability and style. Shake up a clover club (gin, egg white, raspberry syrup and lemon juice) and serve in these crystal coupés.

Finished in a classic leather and canvas case, this refined shaker deserves front and centre on your bar cart. The extra insulation ensures the drink maintains the optimum temperature if you’re serving tipples tableside (or making multiples to enjoy alone, no judgment here).

Complete your set-up with these brass picks, perfect for the obligatory olive in a dirty martini.

We think all of our Esquire-approved cocktail shakers boast beauty beyond most humdrum household objects, but this futuristic copper-plated shaker by Tom Dixon may just take the style crown.

We’re pleased to report that there’s no compromise on functionality; the slim cap doubles as a spirit measure, while the tapered ends allow for balanced, comfortable shaking — no matter how many margaritas you’re making.

Complete with a stainless steel shaker, muddler, jigger and strainer, this all-singing set is guaranteed to take your cocktails up a notch. There’s even a carrying pouch, should you need to take your amaretto sour al fresco. The perfect gift for the guy that has everything.