If you’re interested in mixing drinks at home there's probably no more fundamental a piece of equipment to start with than a cocktail shaker. You'll use it to whip up virtually any cocktail containing citrus—think Gimlets, Daiquiris, Whiskey Sours and Sidecars—and the addition of a bar spoon would allow you to prepare stirred drinks in it as well (although you wouldn't want this to be your permanent arrangement, for a variety of reasons).

Of course, there's no shortage of shakers on the market to choose from, and there are even a variety of styles—all of which offer pros and cons in terms of form and function. The Boston shaker is probably most common at bars. It's a two piece set up, usually with a metal tin and a pint glass, where the former is typically slammed upon the latter to form a seal, then inverted, shaken, “popped,” topped with a strainer and poured into your glass. The cobbler shaker is probably the most common version found at home. It's a three piece vessel with built-in strainer. Each offer their charms, but here are a few we'd recommend, depending on what you're looking for.