The Cocktail Kingdom Usagi Cobbler Shaker (28 oz) meets
the Cocktail Kingdom Koriko Weighted Shaking Tin Set
A snug three-piece cobbler that shakes and strains in one tool, and Wirecutter's pick for home bars. We tested it head-to-head against the Cocktail Kingdom Koriko Weighted Shaking Tin Set across 6 key dimensions.
Cocktail Kingdom Usagi Cobbler Shaker (28 oz)
“A snug three-piece cobbler that shakes and strains in one tool, and Wirecutter's pick for home bars”
Cocktail Kingdom Koriko Weighted Shaking Tin Set
“The two-tin Boston set most bartenders reach for, at about $27”
Head-to-Head Breakdown
Strengths & Weaknesses
Cocktail Kingdom Usagi Cobbler Shaker (28 oz)
- Wirecutter found the tumbler, strainer lid and cap snug with no leaks, yet still easy to break apart
- Serious Eats picked it over 11 other cobblers for its low profile, polished finish and 28-ounce capacity
- ATK's testers found the large strainer holes poured quickly and the wide body loaded ice easily
- ATK found the top and cap fit too tightly after long shakes, and one test copy's strainer cap never came off
- Serious Eats warns the single-wall steel can dent if you drop it, and it's heavier than most cobblers
- Wirecutter notes it goes in and out of stock, and the Amazon listing had no offers when we checked
Cocktail Kingdom Koriko Weighted Shaking Tin Set
- Wirecutter's best Boston-style shaker, with good balance, no leaks and a seal that breaks easily
- Recommended by 9 of the 12 reviews we analyzed, including bartender panels at Liquor.com and the Strategist
- Both tins are dishwasher-safe, and ATK called the pair lightweight and seemingly indestructible
- No built-in strainer, so you need a Hawthorne strainer and a jigger on top of the $27
- ATK and Wirecutter both say the Boston style takes practice to seal and split cleanly
- Serious Eats and Food Network flag the welded-on weights as a long-term wear point
The Verdict
Our Bottom Line
Wirecutter's barware team named the Usagi the best cocktail shaker for a home bar, and the reasoning is practical. Most pros shake with two-piece Boston tins, but those need a separate strainer and a little more skill. The Usagi's tumbler, strainer lid and cap were snug and didn't leak in Wirecutter's testing, yet they weren't so tight that breaking them apart became a fight. A small indentation in the cap gives your index finger somewhere to rest while you shake.
Cocktail Kingdom Usagi Cobbler Shaker (28 oz)
Wirecutter's barware team named the Usagi the best cocktail shaker for a home bar, and the reasoning is practical. Most pros shake with two-piece Boston tins, but those need a separate strainer and a little more skill. The Usagi's tumbler, strainer lid and cap were snug and didn't leak in Wirecutter's testing, yet they weren't so tight that breaking them apart became a fight. A small indentation in the cap gives your index finger somewhere to rest while you shake.
- Home bartenders who want one tool that shakes and strains
- Anyone making two drinks per round
- Bar carts where the shaker stays on display
- Cooks who don't want to juggle a separate strainer
Cocktail Kingdom Koriko Weighted Shaking Tin Set
Nine of the 12 reviews we analyzed recommend the Koriko tins, more than any other shaker. Wirecutter calls them the best Boston-style shaker it tested: pleasant weight and balance, no leaks, and a seal that's easy to break. The small tin sits higher in the large one than on rival sets, and Wirecutter found that makes the pair feel steadier in your hands.
- Aspiring bartenders ready to learn the Boston technique
- Hosts shaking round after round for a crowd
- Anyone who already owns a Hawthorne strainer and jigger
- Budgets under $30