Cocktail shaker sets: shaken, not stirred
Whether you're after the all-action mixing style of Tom Cruise in Cocktail or the sophistication of James Bond's shaken-not-stirred Martini, a cocktail shaker set is an essential addition to any home bar or drinks cabinet. With the right ingredients and a good recipe book, you'll be creating incredible cocktails in no time to impress your guests and delight your own taste buds.
What's in a cocktail shaker set?
All cocktail shaker sets should come with the basics but some come with more toys and tools. The basics include the shaker itself, along with a spirit measure, a strainer and a cocktail stirrer. More extensive sets will also include a muddler (like a pestle for grinding fruit), a zester for fruit peel, an ice bucket and matching tongs, and even a rack to store all this equipment on.
Choosing a cocktail shaker set
When it comes to choosing your set, it's worth remembering that the style and the show are almost as important as the drinks you make. So go for glitz and glamour with shining stainless steel, rich copper tones or a sleek, chic matt black finish.
Adding a touch of style
You can go for the glamour of The Great Gatsby era with a range of vintage cocktail shakers on eBay, or add a touch of the Mad Scientist with glasses and serving jugs made to look like lab equipment. Alternatively, you can simply stick with the classic tall stemmed cocktail glass for a timeless elegance.
Remember the recipes
While there may be plenty of cocktail recipes available online, it's worth looking out for a cocktail shaker kit that comes with its own recipe book, so you can get started straight away mixing your Manhattans and stirring your secret agent Martinis. Some shakers even have the classic cocktails printed on them so you'll never lose the recipe.