Movers and Cocktail Shakers!

Bartending is an artifact of the 1920's, when prohibition in America forced everyone who liked alcohol to figure out his or her own way to produce the libation. Although most people could figure out a way to set up a still, the alcohol that came out of them wasn't desirable. To make their liquors more palatable, bartenders started mixing them with fruit juices, flavored syrups, spices, wine, eggs, sparkling soda and sugar.

When mixed drinks first hit the scene, the formula for building a drink was very simple. You began with the base alcohol and then added a flavoring agent like fruit juice or soda. Sometimes drinks also received a third flavoring agent such as bitters or grenadine. Accordingly, most classic cocktails, such as the martini, are simply two or three ingredients with a simple garnish.

And, although modern drinks require more ingredients and are much sweeter, the equipment for preparing them hasn't changed. Instead, the equipment that is used to mix drinks is evocative of mixed drinks' illustrious past; the Boston Shaker is suave and sexy, and the martini glass has become the icon of the cocktail culture. Not including glassware, there are only two absolutely essential pieces of bar equipment: the cocktail shaker and the bar-spoon.

And, in order to entertain your friends and family this season, you will need to own a Shaker! There are two types of shakers for you to consider, the European shaker and the Boston (or American) shaker and both are usually stainless steel (although, sometimes fashionable glass.) There is the traditional three-part shaker with a built-in strainer, and the modern two-part shaker, where one half is the shaker and the other half is a Boston mixing glass or smaller shaker.

Shaken drinks are made in the following way: the ingredients are poured into a shaker full of ice and the shaker is sealed with a smaller shaker, the top two sections of the shaker or a Boston glass; the contents are then shaken until the outside of the shaker frosts. Afterwards, and depending on the type of drink, the drink is strained into an empty cocktail glass, an empty shooter glass, or a long drink glass full of ice.

And, just a word to the wise…carbonated ingredients should NOT be shaken: they will cause the shaker to explode! Shake safely and enjoy!

Cocktail Shakers, Crate and Barrel. Why break the bank, entertain with the sleek cocktail chic, high-polished stainless steel shaker with knob stand in cool contrast to the matte lid or mix single servings of your favorite cocktails with the scaled-down shaker in premium quality stainless steel. This adorable little bar accessory has classic styling with pleasing curves and a mirror finish! Cocktail Shaker. 21.95 and Mini Shaker. 9.95.

Moss offers the Cylinda Line Cocktail Shaker, as well as the Cylinda Sterling Silver Bar Set that goes along with it and makes any Classic Drink party, par excellance! Both designed by Arne Jacobsen, in 1967. This rare and very beautiful silver set includes one water jug, one ice bucket, one cocktail shaker, one cocktail mixer with spoon, one tray, six coasters and one ice tong. Stunning at stunning prices. Cylinda Line Cocktail Shaker. $216.00. Cylinda Sterling Silver Bar Set. $925.00.

The Maxim Boston Cocktail Shaker is hands down, our favorite due to it’s durable plastic with measurement markings and recipes for Bloody Mary’s, Manhattans and other popular drinks. Perfect for your shaken, not stirred, moments. This clear plastic shaker fits perfectly within the stainless steel shaker for a secure seal when mixing and makes a cool housewarming gift, gift for the groomsmen or a great idea for the entertainer who has everything! Available at Target. $19.99.

Quietly stylized, the Nambé Twist Cocktail Shaker is another one of our unanimous favorites. Here this visionary design, handcrafted in lustrous metal makes this barware essential a conversation piece as well. Available at Saks Fifth Avenue, $145.00.

Davis Redman Black Crystal Barware, available at Gumps is by far the most exciting and incredibly eye-catching shaker any of us have ever seen. We believe that you’ll agree! Bring urbane style to the cocktail hour with this impeccable barware. Master artisans mouthblow the black and clear crystal in two cased layers, then hand-cut the faceted clear bands. Hallmarked sterling silver tops the shaker. This “whopper” of a shaker is a mere $1440.00. Shake with care!