Boston Shaker: what is it?

It is impossible to imagine a bar without this bright, important and unique equipment. Beloved by bartenders all over the world for the second century, the Boston shaker is capable of making the most delicious and legendary cocktails. This is the bartender's best friend and faithful ally in matters of mixology.

A Brief History of the Boston Shaker

Bartenders actively used shakers already at the end of the 19th century, but the original design assumed the presence of three parts - with a sieve. Yes, yes, the cobbler we know. The French developed a design of two metal parts, which was used not only by bartenders, but also by pharmacists and hairdressers to mix their ingredients. During Prohibition in America, it was forbidden to even have cobbler at home, because Prohibition was harsh and equal for everyone. Therefore, the inventive American mind was grateful for the presence of the French shaker and began experimenting with its designs. So in the 1920s, a Boston company began making shakers with their markings on the bottom, and over time the shaker simply began to be called “Boston.”

Boston Shaker Feature

Any Boston Shaker consists of two bases . Ice is poured into one of them, which is slightly larger; most often this base is made of metal, since this material has excellent thermal conductivity and is able to cool quickly. All the necessary components of the cocktail are poured into the second base, which is smaller, in accordance with the recipe, including dashes, drops, herbal ingredients and spices. The second base is smaller and can be made of metal, glass or plastic.

Next, from the first base, using a strainer, drain the excess melt water that formed while the bartender was pouring the ingredients. Depending on the ambient temperature, 20 to 10 ml of melt water can form in the shaker. Some bartenders prefer to discard this ice and fill the shaker with new ice. Here everything depends on the capabilities of the bar; if there is no shortage of ice during the work process, then it is quite possible to work this way.

Then, carefully, at an angle of 90ᵒ, the liquid from the “small” base is poured into the “large” one and fixed.

The question is how to fix it? Bartenders joke that you need to know the anatomy of a Boston shaker. It has legs (the bottom of the lower part), a head (the upper part), a back (you need to insert a small base at an angle of 45ᵒ to visually create a straight back and a convex belly), and a kidney (this is the distance from the side of the shaker joint). By forming such a structure, the bartender receives excellent tightness when shaking, and easy opening of the shaker afterwards. It is enough to lightly hit the “kidney” with the back of your hand and the upper part can be easily removed.

At the end, with the help of a strainer, the bartender pours the cocktail into a chilled glass, decorates it, and voila - the gorgeous drink is ready.

Methods of use

The Boston shaker is unique in its multitasking, because in addition to all types of shake (hard, dry), it can be used for the Frowling and Rolling methods. In these methods, the drink is poured from one shaker base to another, due to which the cocktail is not watered, called oxygen, and acquires a unique, porous, enveloping texture.

Care Tips

Like any other equipment in the bar, the shaker requires care, control of condition and cleanliness.

After use, that is, after preparing any cocktail, the shaker must be washed under running water to remove any remaining components from the previous preparation.

The Boston Shaker should be stored disassembled, each base separately. At the end of the work shift, it must be thoroughly washed, polished and placed in its designated place.

An important point: over time, nicks and cracks may form on the metal bases of the shaker; in case of severe deformation, it is necessary to remove the equipment from use.

The Boston shaker is a classic of the bar world; it is an incredible beauty of movements, various combinations, styles and “handwriting”. “Boston” is something that helps a bartender express himself through different techniques, something that we often see in films and videos; this is undoubtedly an important accessory that evokes a direct association with the profession of a bartender.