The best cocktail making sets
Shaken, stirred and strained at home: the cocktail sets for would-be bartenders.
A cocktail set is a present that gets an evening started. The essentials are a good shaker, a strainer and a measure; the rest (muddler, spoon, pourers) makes it feel like a proper bar.
Three-piece 'cobbler' or Manhattan shakers have a built-in strainer and are easiest for beginners; two-tin Boston shakers are what bartenders use. A measure marked in 25 and 50ml matches British pub drinks.
What matters
- A shaker that seals well.
- A strainer and a proper measure.
- A stand or box to keep it together.
- Recipes to get started.
#1 of 5
Best overall
KINGROW 23-Piece Cocktail Making Kit with Stand
£20–£30 Price range
A proper bartender's set: two 25oz Boston-style shaker tins, a strainer, a double measure marked in 25 and 50ml (British pub measures) as well as 15/30ml, a muddler, spoons and pourers, all standing on an acrylic stand.
What owners say: Owners find it looks great, has everything needed, is easy to use and clean, and makes a great present, though a few had scratches out of the box.
A closer look: Fill the tin two-thirds with ice, add the drink, clamp the tins together at a slight angle and shake hard for about 10 seconds. A tap on the side breaks the seal.
- 23 pieces
- Boston-style shaker tins (25oz)
- Double jiggers: 15/30ml and 25/50ml
- Strainer, muddler, spoons, 4 pourers
- Acrylic stand and recipe guide
Best for: Home bars
- Pieces
- 23
- Shaker
- Boston tins, 25oz (750ml)
- Stand
- Yes
- Recipes
- Yes
- Measures
- 15/30ml and 25/50ml
#2 of 5
Best gift box
Rusty Barrel Mayfair Cocktail Making Kit
£20–£30 Price range
A smart gift-boxed set around a 750ml three-piece Manhattan shaker, with a Hawthorne strainer, a wooden muddler, a 25/50ml measure and a booklet of 12 classic cocktails to start with.
What owners say: Owners find it great quality and well designed, worth the price, with everything needed to start making cocktails at home.
A closer look: Start with the booklet's simplest classics, like a daiquiri or a whisky sour, to get the balance of sweet and sour right. Chill the glasses in the freezer first.
- 750ml three-piece shaker
- Hawthorne strainer
- 25/50ml measure
- Wooden muddler, mixing spoon, speed pourer
- 12 Classic Cocktails booklet, gift box
Best for: A classy present
- Pieces
- Shaker plus 5 tools
- Shaker
- 3-piece, 750ml
- Stand
- –
- Recipes
- Yes
- Measures
- 25/50ml
#3 of 5
Vinenco Manhattan Cocktail Shaker Set with Stand (13 pieces)
£20–£30 Price range
A 700ml three-part shaker with its own built-in strainer (or use it Boston-style with a glass), plus a strainer, 2/4cl measure, muddler and steel straws on a wooden stand, in a gift box that doubles as storage.
What owners say: Owners find it high quality, great-looking and complete, and a good present, though the lid can be stiff to remove.
Heads up: The shaker's lid can stick when cold, so twist rather than pull, and let it warm a moment if it's stuck.
A closer look: Rinse and dry everything straight after use so the steel stays bright. The recipe ebook comes by email rather than in the box.
- 13 pieces
- 700ml three-part shaker with sieve
- Double measure 2cl / 4cl
- Muddler, bar spoon, tongs, 2 pourers, 4 straws
- Wooden stand, recipe ebook
Best for: Cocktail beginners
- Pieces
- 13
- Shaker
- 3-part, 700ml
- Stand
- Yes
- Recipes
- Yes
- Measures
- 2cl / 4cl
#4 of 5
SUPERSUN 15-Piece Cocktail Shaker Set with Wooden Stand
£20–£30 Price range
A 550ml shaker, sieve, jigger, muddler, spoons, straws and three pourers standing neatly on a wooden stand: everything for a first home bar in one tidy set.
What owners say: Owners call it one of the best cocktail kits around, great value and good-looking, with everything needed for parties.
A closer look: The smaller 550ml shaker is easier to handle and ideal for one or two drinks at a time. Put the pourers in the most-used bottles.
- 15 pieces
- 550ml shaker
- Wooden stand
- 3 pourers, jigger, muddler, sieve
- Recipe card
Best for: Drinks for two
- Pieces
- 15
- Shaker
- 550ml
- Stand
- Yes
- Recipes
- Yes
- Measures
- Jigger
#5 of 5
Best budget
AYAOQIANG Cocktail Shaker Set with Bamboo Stand (12 pieces)
£10–£20 Price range
A 750ml shaker, 15/30ml jigger, strainer, spoon, pestle, ice tongs, corkscrew and four pourers on a bamboo stand: a full kit for under £20.
What owners say: Owners find it well presented and excellent value, with everything needed, and good at parties, though a few found the stand wobbly.
A closer look: Its measure is marked 15 and 30ml rather than the British 25/50ml, so follow recipes written in ml and it all works out. Add a bottle of good gin and it's a complete present.
- 12 pieces
- 750ml shaker
- Jigger 15/30ml
- Strainer, spoon, pestle, tongs, corkscrew, 4 pourers
- Bamboo stand
Best for: Secret Santa for grown-ups
- Pieces
- 12
- Shaker
- 750ml
- Stand
- Yes
- Recipes
- –
- Measures
- 15/30ml
How they compare
| Feature | #1KINGROW 23-piece | #2Rusty Barrel Mayfair | #3Vinenco Manhattan | #4SUPERSUN 15-piece | #512-piece bamboo set |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Best gift box | Best budget | |||
| Picked Rating | 9.2 | 9.1 | 9.0 | 8.9 | 8.9 |
| Price | £20–£30 Price range | £20–£30 Price range | £20–£30 Price range | £20–£30 Price range | £10–£20 Price range |
| Pieces | 23 | Shaker plus 5 tools | 13 | 15 | 12 |
| Shaker | Boston tins, 25oz (750ml) | 3-piece, 750ml | 3-part, 700ml | 550ml | 750ml |
| Stand | Yes | – | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Recipes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | – |
| Measures | 15/30ml and 25/50ml | 25/50ml | 2cl / 4cl | Jigger | 15/30ml |
| Best for | Home bars | A classy present | Cocktail beginners | Drinks for two | Secret Santa for grown-ups |
| Check price | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
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