Finer Things

Martini Shakers and their Origins
By Esther Schultz

Nothing is more synonymous with a shaken martini than the ever smooth, James Bond. But the vessel for shaking Bond's martini pre-dates 007 by quite some time.
Cocktail shaker vs. martini shaker

Before we turn to the history of the shaker, one question must be answered. Is there any difference between a cocktail shaker and a martini shaker? The answer is no, but the very fact that a cocktail shaker is often referred to as a martini shaker proves the iconic status of the martini.

History of the martini shaker

The story goes that in the late 19th century an innkeeper was pouring a drink back and forth to mix it. As he did so, he discovered that the smaller mouth of one container fitted within the mouth of another allowing him to put on a show for his customers. And that was the birth of the martini shaker as we know it today.

At the turn of the century, the custom of serving English tea at 5 o'clock in New York City Hotels morphed into 5 o'clock cocktail hour, with teapot-like shakers being used to mix drinks. But the real interest in cocktails and shakers came about in the 1920s during Prohibition when the vile taste of moonshine led to people creating sweet tasting mixtures, and gin, which was easier to replicate than rye or scotch, became a favorite of martini society. Members of high society were served martinis from sterling silver shakers while the less wealthy had to make do with glass or nickel-plated alternatives.

After the repeal of Prohibition in 1933 shakers regularly appeared on the silver screen as a symbol of sophistication. By the end of the 1930s, fueled by popular demand, factories were churning out thousands of shakers with sterling silver being replaced by chrome-plated stainless steel. They became standard household objects, affordable to all. But the Second World War soon put a stop to such frivolous use of metal and cocktail shakers faded from popular culture. Although the 1950s saw a brief revival characterized by battery-operated mechanical shakers, that movement soon died out.

Now, once again, the martini shaker is seen as a symbol of elegance.

Types of martini shaker

There are two common types of martini shaker: the Boston and the cobbler.

The Boston shaker is made up of two tall cups that fit tightly together. The cups are usually made from stainless steel but one can be glass or plastic. After shaking you lightly tap the shaker with the palm of your hand where the two cups meet. The drink is either poured out of the small space between the cups or a separate strainer is used.

The cobbler shaker is made up of a cup, a cover and a cap. The cover has a built-in strainer. After shaking you remove the cap to reveal the strainer and pour the contents into a glass.

Shaken not stirred?

James Bond is renowned for ordering his martini shaken not stirred. But the "shaken not stirred" debate is still alive and well. Here are a few good reasons to pull out the martini shaker (not all of them uncontroversial!)

• Shaking combines the ingredients most effectively.
• It chills the drink more quickly so the ice melts less resulting in a cooler, less diluted drink (although some say that the shaking action breaks up the ice and adds more water, slightly weakening the drink and altering the taste).
• It dissolves the vermouth better making the martini less oily.
• Shaken martinis are more effective in deactivating hydrogen peroxide than the stirred variety!
• Shaking allows your drink to be served more quickly.
• Shaking allows you to look as cool as Tom Cruise in Cocktail!
  

Luxury shakers

Although you can purchase a cocktail shaker for less than $20 nowadays, there are still many great collectors items from the 1920s and 1930s that can sell for up to $14,000, including the famous ca. 1936 Manhattan Skyscraper set designed by Norman Bel Geddes (available for the sum of $13,880!) Other rare shakers come in the form of roosters, lighthouses, golf bags, penguins, ladies legs, bells, hour glasses and many more weird and wonderful designs. Some of the great collector's items can be found at www.cocktailshakers.com. Or you could visit the Museum of the American Cocktail at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas.