Customer Reviews

WMF Boston Cocktail Shaker

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

What is nice about this shaker is simplicity. You can easily find Boston shakers at stores, but most of them (especially cheap ones) have recipes printed on the glass. That printing is nothing more than nuisance if you have your own recipe. (Ignoring them and finding graduated scale in semi-darkness is not easy!) This shaker has 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 fl. oz. marks and 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 ml marks. No confusing clutters.

The inner diameter of the glass part is 3-1/4" which is pretty much standard. You can check if your strainer fits the glass before you buy it. The Amazon review saying "strainer to fit the base" is misleading because Hawthorn strainers (spring coil padded strainer) are usually used with the glass part, which sits atop the stainless steel base while being shaken.

The construction and the material of the shaker is excellent. The fitting of the base and the glass is pretty good. The fit usually improves as you use them.

If you are looking for your first shaker, the decision you make first is whether to buy a standard, traditional shaker or a Boston shaker. The standard shaker is easier to use (little risk of fluid leak if you get a decent one) but they are not as quick operating as Boston shakers. The strainer built into the top part of standard shakers takes somre work to wash after making juice based drinks. Boston shakers, on the other hand, requires good practice in fitting the glass to minimize the fluid leak, but it is very easy to wash (simply rinse the pieces under the faucet and stir the strainer in a small bucket of water and then rinse). Also, most Boston shakers use graduated glass part while few standard shakers have fluid measure built in, meaning you have to measure the fluid before mixing in.

A good shaker can be used for purposes other than mixing drinks. For example, you can make salad dressings in them.


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I wrote this original review quite some time ago, but I thought to add that I still own this product, and I still use it. This shaker is totally awesome. STILL HIGHLY RECOMMENDED in 2010.

Tired of those metal cocktail shakers where the top refuses to open when you go to clean it? The vacuum that occurs with the metal variety has happened to us on every model we've tried. The Boston Cocktail Shaker does not have this problem. We had no difficulty whatsoever with a tight seal on the first try and have had no leakage problems. The only drawback (very minor) is that the measurement lines do not go all the way to the bottom of the glass. So if you're measuring out small quantities of liquor, you still need to use a jigger. Other than that, it is very easy to use and clean. Top rating for this bar helper!

UPDATE. 5 years later and it's the only shaker we use. The measurements on the outside have worn off, but both metal and glass shaker containers are in perfect condition otherwise. Both can be put in the dishwasher to get them sparkling clean, which is a big plus. We love this shaker and would recommend it to anyone who makes drinks on a fairly regular basis. Expensive, but in our opinion, it pays for itself given there's so much less frustration than with the other shakers we've tried.

Excellent addition to any bar or kitchen to use for drinks that need to be shaken to be mixed properly. Easy to use, doesn't leak. Purchased based on suggestion by Alton Brown, The Food Channel. Be sure to get a julep strainer along with it (or use a Hawthorne strainer as an alternate).

I was in a hurry so bought this item locally rather than from Amazon. As a fairly inexperienced cocktail maker, I was worried that I would have trouble using a Boston shaker. A cheaper one that I first tried did leak badly, but the WMF Boston shaker works flawlessly. I haven't had the first problem with leaking, and it comes apart easily when it's time to pour. Definitely worth the high price in my estimation.

FWIW, the technique that I am using is to give the metal part a bump on it's (upturned) bottom when I put it on the glass. After shaking (do hold the two pieces together while shaking), a bump on the edge of the metal part breaks the seal. Flip the whole rig over and remove the glass (you strain from the metal part into whatever serving glass you are using).

This shaker is crafted very well. I bartend, and use this in my home. the fitting of the glasses provides a good seal when mixing. Very effective set.

A great Boston shaker, but I'm not sure what I had to spend $50 for a pint glass and a thin piece of stainless steel.

First, this is a nice-quality Boston shaker.

But... any bar supply place will sell you a similar-quality 28 oz Boston shaker top (the metal cup) for $10, often less... and pint glasses (with no annoying printing on them) are $1.95 at any Crate and Barrel. The combination works just as well as this thing, and looks exactly the same (again, minus the printing on the glass), for a lot less money. I don't understand where the markup comes from.

If you know how to use a Boston Cocktail shaker, you've got all the information required to use this shaker. You'll see reviews talking about how people only got "one half the shaker" and how they broke the glass on these style shakers. This is because they don't know how to use a Boston Shaker (consult youtube for instructions on using the shaker if you're confused).

You'll receive a strong glass which is used to build the drink, and the stainless steel WMF top which you use to complete the seal and shake it. The glass is sturdy and strong, but can be broken (like any other glass) if you don't know what you're doing.

The seal formed is tight and will not leak (if you know how to make a seal). You'll also want a Loft strainer if you plan to empty the contents of the drink into a fresh cocktail glass of ice; the strainer is not included in the price.

Wonderful shaker! I dont think the glass is thin at all, Im not about to go dropping it on my counter top though. Can have ice cubes in it no problems while shaking. The basic glass makes it easy to read!

This shaker is great. It is pricey, but works much better than the shakers that come with a strainer and cap all in one - some of them are extremely difficult to pull apart!