Cobbler shaker
ToolA cobbler shaker is a three-piece cocktail shaker with a strainer built into its top, one of the three main types.
Also called: three-piece shaker
- Parts
- Base, built-in strainer top and cap
- Shake time
- about 15 seconds
What cobbler shaker means
The strainer top is what sets a cobbler apart. It has three parts, a base, a strainer top and a cap, so you shake and pour without a second tool. You will see it named as one of the three main shaker types, along with the Boston and the French (Parisian) shaker.
A cobbler is one kind of cocktail shaker. Its small capacity suits one drink at a time, which is one reason Japanese bartenders and hard-shake fans prefer it. The trade-off is speed, since it pours more slowly than a two-piece shaker.
Edward Hauck of Brooklyn patented the three-piece shaker with a built-in strainer in 1884. The design took its name from the Sherry Cobbler, a hit drink of the time. Bars differ in which shaker they reach for. The cobbler is one choice among several.
How to use a cobbler shaker
Shake one drink at a time, then pour through the built-in strainer instead of adding a second tool.
- 1.Fill the base about two-thirds with ice, then add the drink ingredients.
- 2.Fit the strainer top onto the base, then press the cap on firmly.
- 3.Shake briskly for about 15 seconds, keeping one hand on the cap.
- 4.Lift off the cap and pour through the built-in strainer, expecting a slower pour than from a two-piece shaker.
No cobbler shaker? Without one, use a Boston shaker and add a separate strainer when you pour.
Cobbler shaker compared
- Boston shakerBoston shakers come in two pieces, hold more and need a separate strainer. The cobbler builds its strainer into the top.
- French (Parisian) shakerThe French shaker has a metal base and a fitted metal cap, but no built-in strainer, so you add one.
- Cocktail shakerCocktail shaker is the general name for these tins. A cobbler is one of the three main types, with its own built-in strainer.
Related terms
Put it to use in your next drink
Garçon explains every step as you make the drink.