The Tin on Tin Cocktail Shaker Explained

The Tin on Tin shaker is known under many names. Some call it a double tin shaker, some shaking tins, others a Tin on Tin shaker, and occasionally people confuse it with a classic Boston Shaker.

In a nutshell, a Tin on Tin Shaker is a two-piece cocktail shaker consisting of two metal cups of different size. It's super sturdy, easy to clean, almost impossible to break, and the most-loved shaker of bartenders.

In modern bars, this cocktail shaker is the weapon of choice of almost every professional bartender. So let's have a closer look at this stainless steel shaker duo.

What is tin on tin shaker?

The Tin on Tin cocktail shaker consists of two stainless steel mixing cups of different sizes. Visually, it's a cross between the classic Boston Shaker and the elegant French or Parisian Shaker.

This shaker is also the most common cocktail shaker when it comes to flair bartending. The similarly shaped tins made from stainless steel are perfect for flair elements.

Best Tin on Tin Shakers - Our Recommendations

If you want to buy a Tin on Tin shaker, better stay away from the cheapest offers. They are typically of low quality, and some will eventually start to rust. -And when you now need help with choosing your Tin on Tin cocktail shaker, here are the best options.

1. Koriko Shaking Tins

The Koriko shaking tins from the Cocktail Kingdom are my preferred tins. I've already been using this set for a couple of years, and they never let me down.

Plus, you can buy them as a set, including a mixing glass and jigger. Or you buy each tin separately. This way, you can be fancy and combine different colors.

The most affordable combination of stainless steel Koriko tins is between $20 and $25 at the moment for a large and a small cup. The golden or copper-colored ones are a bit more expensive.

2. Leopold Shaking Tin Set

Another set from Cocktail Kingdom. If you're into antique designs, the Leopold shaking tins will be a fantastic fit for you.

The set consists of two copper-colored tins made from 18/8 Stainless Steel.

The capacity of the tins is large enough to make two drinks at the same time. That saves time and effort, making your bartending life a bit easier.

3. Barfly Cocktail Tin Shaker Set

The shaker set from Barfly is another great option and excellent value for money.

It comes in a variety of different designs and colors. You can buy them as a set or separately.

Again, choosing the tins separately gives you countless possibilities to mix and match. It enables you to select your very own combination and choose a unique fit.

What is a Toby Tin?

A Toby tin, also called a cheater tin, is a metal tin you can use to upgrade your Boston shaker to a Tin on Tin shaker.

As the Boston shaker consists of a mixing glass and a tin, the Toby tin can replace the glass and turn your Boston shaker into a Tin on Tin shaker.

The glass cup in a Boston shaker is prone to break and has a significantly different weight. By replacing it with a Toby tin, your "new" shaker is more robust and easier to handle.

Tin on Tin vs Boston Shaker?

A classic Boston Shaker and Tin on Tin are very similar as they share the same shape, size, and volume. The main difference is that in a Boston Shaker, the smaller cup is made of glass, whereas the Tin on Tin has two metal shaking cups.

Many people claim that the Boston Shaker is the best and easiest-to-use shaker type. However, this tale of the superior Boston shaker is only told because people treat the Tin on Tin and Boston shaker as the same thing.

The next time you go to your favorite cocktail bar, check the tools they're using. You will find that the majority will use a Tin on Tin only. In the past, that used to be different. Bartenders in the US primarily used a classic Boston Shaker for quite a long time. In Japan, you'll still come across many bartenders using Cobbler shakers. 

But today, the Tin on Tin shaker is the weapon of choice for most professional barmen. If you're looking for a more in-depth comparison, head to the review of the different cocktail shakers available.

How do you use a Tin on Tin Cocktail Shaker?

To mix a cocktail, put both shaker tins on the table and pour ice into the larger one. Measure the cocktail ingredients with a jigger and add them one by one into the smaller cup.

Once all ingredients are in the cup, pour them into the large cup and seal the shaker.

You certainly want to avoid your cocktail shaker getting stuck. So make sure that both tins form a straight line when closing them.

This way, you ensure that the shaker is easier to open once you have finished shaking.

Together with the Parisian shaker, the Tin on Tin shaker is the easiest cocktail shaker to use. The cups won't break, the shaker is super easy to clean, and the cups form a tight seal when shaking.

How Do You Break the Seal on a Tin on Tin shaker?

Breaking the seal of a shaker after shaking a cocktail can sometimes be a pain. If you put the shaker tins together correctly, tap the shaker with the heel of your right hand. You want to aim for the spot where the two tins meet to break the vacuum seal.

If you need more help, check out our help article about how to open a stuck cocktail shaker.

The size of a Tin on Tin Shaker

The two tins forming a double tin cocktail shaker are of different sizes. This way, one cup fits into the other, which creates a tight seal when shaking a cocktail.

Be aware that the sizes of the larger and smaller tin can vary. So always check the cocktail shaker set before purchasing. Typically, the larger one can hold 28oz, and the smaller one holds 18oz.

FAQs

More information on Barware

• The different types of bar spoons - Find out more about American, European, and Japanese bar spoons.
• The Jigger - One of the most essential tools to make great cocktails.
• Cocktail Strainers - The different types of strainers explained
• The cocktail pick - One of the most elegant tools for garnishing cocktails.
• Learn how to shake a cocktail the right way