Margarita Bar & Drinkware

Is the Rambler the Best Cocktail Shaker YETI Fans Can Buy?

An honest YETI cocktail shaker review: sizes, lid, care, whether insulation chills drinks, and the Stanley, BrüMate and Viski shakers it competes with.

A pink iced drink on a small wooden board on a white table at a sunny poolside cafe
An iced drink on a poolside table in the sun.

YETI made its name with coolers and tumblers that keep ice frozen for hours, so a YETI cocktail shaker sounds like an obvious idea: a vacuum-insulated steel cup with a shaker lid on top. It is a good-looking, sturdy piece of drinkware, and it travels well to the patio, the boat or the campsite. The question worth asking before you buy it is whether insulation actually makes a better shaken drink, or mainly a more comfortable one.

This guide answers that honestly. It sets out what YETI says about its Rambler cocktail shaker, what a published side-by-side review found, what buyers report, and what bartending sources say about how a shaker chills a drink. Then it compares the YETI with the insulated shakers from Stanley, BrüMate, Viski, Elevated Craft, Simple Modern and OGGI, and with a plain steel tin set for anyone who decides insulation is not worth paying for.

Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a working Mexican kitchen looks for in bar tools, the makers’ own specifications and published reviews and buyer reports, which we cite.

Quick verdict: which insulated shaker to buy

If you want a YETI, buy the YETI Rambler 20 oz Cocktail Shaker: 18/8 stainless steel, double-wall vacuum insulation, a press-on lid with a built-in strainer and a small twist cap, and a dishwasher-safe build. For a smaller insulated shaker with a grooved grip, the 17-ounce OGGI Groove makes one drink at a time. For two drinks at once, the Elevated Craft Hybrid holds more and measures in its lid. And if you mainly want the coldest drink for the least money, plain Cocktail Kingdom Koriko tins do that job: steel tins chill a drink as well as insulated ones, according to the bartending research we cite below.

The rest of this page explains why insulation helps your hands more than your drink, and which shaker suits the way you mix. For every shaker style, insulated or not, our main guide to the best cocktail shaker covers the full range.

Five insulated shakers and one plain set compared

Our five standout picks, one for each kind of buyer, with the specifications each maker or listing states. All eight are reviewed in full below.

Shaker Best for Insulation Capacity Buy on Amazon
A tough shaker for outdoors and home Double-wall vacuum, 18/8 steel 20 oz (591 ml) View on Amazon
Bigger batches, measuring in the lid Double-wall vacuum, stainless steel 28 oz assembled (21.5 oz cup) View on Amazon
Glass-free places, built-in measures Insulated stainless steel, no condensation About 22 oz to the rim View on Amazon
An insulated shaker for less Double-wall, stainless steel 20 oz View on Amazon
The coldest drink for the least fuss None: single-wall steel tins 18 oz + 28 oz tins, two drinks View on Amazon

Product images from Amazon. Capacities, materials and care are as stated by each maker or listing; check the listing before you buy.

Does insulation matter in a cocktail shaker?

Less than the marketing suggests, for the drink itself. When you shake, the ice does the chilling. Difford’s Guide, summarising temperature measurements by the drinks scientist Dave Arnold, reports that hard shaking brings a drink to between -5°C and -8°C (23°F to 18°F) and that “after around 12 seconds thermal equilibrium is reached”. Shaking longer, the guide says, “will make very little difference to the temperature or dilution of the drink.”

The shaker’s own walls play a small part. Difford’s notes that “stainless steel heats up and cools down quickly”, so a thin steel tin takes very little cold away from the drink, while heavy glass has “more thermal mass” and absorbs more. A single-wall steel tin is already close to the ideal, which is why most professional bars use plain steel tins and not insulated ones.

So what does insulation do? It keeps the outside of the shaker from turning painfully cold and dripping with condensation, and it keeps a drink cold if you leave it sitting in the shaker, which matters outdoors in the heat. One published comparison found a small temperature edge: in a review for Outside, Mary-Frances Heck shook a Tommy’s margarita in the YETI and in a pewter shaker, and measured 35°F from the YETI against 37°F from the pewter, with identical volumes in the glass. That is one person’s comparison against one other shaker, not a broad test, but it is consistent with the idea that insulation helps a little at the margins.

The practical cost is that you lose the frost. Bartenders often judge a shaken drink by the frost on a steel tin; an insulated shaker stays dry, so count your shake instead, about 10 to 15 seconds.

A bartender in an apron working with stainless steel shaker tins beside a glass of ice at a bar
Plain steel shaker tins, the bar standard, have no insulation.

The best cocktail shaker YETI makes, and seven alternatives

YETI sells one complete cocktail shaker, the Rambler 20 oz, in a rotating range of colors. The picks below start with it, then cover the insulated shakers it competes with and one plain steel tin set. Each pick explains who it suits and gives one honest reason to skip it.

1. YETI Rambler 20 oz Cocktail Shaker – Dry Hands, Tough Steel

Best overallYETI Rambler 20 oz Cocktail Shaker

The YETI Rambler cocktail shaker is a Rambler 20 oz tumbler with a cobbler-style shaker lid. The cup is 18/8 stainless steel with double-wall vacuum insulation, which YETI describes as puncture- and rust-resistant, and the lid presses on and has a built-in strainer, so you shake, pull the small cap and pour. YETI calls the design “no sweat”: no frostbitten fingers and no condensation, with drinks “consistent and cold from the first pour to the last.”

The twist cap is listed by the retailer TackleDirect as a 1 oz cap, so it can double as a small measure for syrup or lime, though you will still want a jigger for the spirit. YETI says the shaker is leak resistant, and retailers list it as dishwasher safe, about 9 inches tall and roughly a pound empty. YETI only makes the complete shaker in the 20-ounce size; the color changes by listing, and the stainless steel finish was low in stock when we checked, so we link the Cape Taupe version.

Review: in the one published side-by-side we found, Outside’s Mary-Frances Heck found the YETI tied a pewter shaker on dilution and beat it slightly on temperature, and preferred the drink it made, while noting it “might look a little sporty on a beautifully curated home bar.” Buyer reviews on retailer sites are mostly positive about build and cleaning, but a minority report the press-on lid leaking or popping off during a hard shake, so seat it firmly and keep a hand over the top.

Why we like it

  • 18/8 stainless steel with double-wall vacuum insulation
  • No condensation and no frozen fingers, according to YETI
  • Built-in strainer in the press-on lid
  • Dishwasher safe, according to retailer listings
  • Warranty listed as five years by retailers

Key specifications

Model Rambler 20 oz Cocktail Shaker (part 21071503605, Cape Taupe)
Type Cobbler-style, press-on lid
Material 18/8 stainless steel
Capacity 20 oz (591 ml)
Insulation Double-wall vacuum
Pieces/lid Cup, strainer lid, twist cap (1 oz, per retailer)
Dishwasher safe Yes (retailer listings)
Warranty Five years (retailer listings)

Why we recommend it

Choose it if you mix drinks outdoors, by the pool or on a boat, if cold, wet hands put you off shaking, or if you already like YETI’s drinkware and want a shaker that matches and survives knocks.

Skip it if you want the coldest drink for the money or a shaker for a round of drinks. A plain steel tin set chills just as well, holds two drinks and costs less.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Comfortable to hold through a long shake
  • Very durable steel cup
  • Strainer and small measuring cap built in
  • Dishwasher safe

Cons

  • Some buyers report the lid leaking or popping off
  • One drink at a time
  • Only one size
  • No frost to tell you the drink is cold

Check price on Amazon

2. OGGI Groove Insulated Cocktail Shaker, 17 oz – Compact and Grippy

Best compact shakerOGGI Groove Insulated Cocktail Shaker-17oz Double Wall Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel

If the YETI is more shaker than you need, OGGI’s Groove is a smaller take on the same idea. It is a 17-ounce, double-wall vacuum-insulated stainless steel shaker, which OGGI says keeps drinks cold, and the outside is sweatproof with grooves cut into it for a secure, slip-proof grip, according to the listing.

The lid is Tritan, a plastic, rather than steel. OGGI says it is drip proof, has a silicone gasket to prevent leaks and has a built-in cocktail strainer, and that the shaker lid is easy to remove. The listing does not mention a measuring cap, so keep a jigger nearby. Seventeen ounces is enough for one drink with room for ice to move, but not for two. OGGI does not say whether it is dishwasher safe, and one grocery retailer’s listing recommends hand washing, so wash it by hand to be safe.

Why we like it

  • Double-wall vacuum-insulated stainless steel
  • Grooved, sweatproof grip, per the listing
  • Built-in strainer and a silicone gasket in the lid
  • Sold in several colors

Key specifications

Model OGGI Groove (part 7404.3, black)
Type Cobbler-style, removable Tritan lid
Material Stainless steel body, Tritan lid, silicone gasket
Capacity 17 oz
Insulation Double-wall vacuum
Pieces/lid Cup and lid with built-in strainer
Dishwasher safe Not stated; a retailer recommends hand washing
Warranty 90 days limited (listing)

Why we recommend it

Choose it if you make one drink at a time, have smaller hands or want an insulated shaker that takes up little room in a cupboard or a picnic bag.

Skip it if you want an all-steel shaker or a measuring cap, or if you often shake two drinks at once.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Compact single-drink size
  • Grooved grip
  • Gasketed lid with strainer

Cons

  • Plastic lid
  • No measuring cap stated
  • Dishwasher safety not stated
  • Short 90-day warranty

Check price on Amazon

3. Elevated Craft Hybrid Cocktail Shaker, 28 oz – Room for Two, Measures in the Lid

Best for two drinksHybrid Cocktail Shaker

The Elevated Craft Hybrid is the largest shaker here. Elevated Craft says the main cup holds 21.5 ounces and the assembled shaker 28 ounces, in double-wall vacuum-insulated stainless steel (the listing says 18/8; the maker’s site says 304, the same family of steel). That is enough room for two margaritas and plenty of ice, which a 20-ounce cup is not.

The top is the clever part. It is a tall measuring cap with embossed ounce and milliliter marks, from quarter-ounce dashes up to six ounces, so you can build a drink without a separate jigger. The lid and top twist to lock, which the maker says means no leaks and no frozen-stuck lid, and the strainer is built in; Elevated Craft says it pours best at about a 45-degree angle, and that the cup also takes most Hawthorne strainers.

Care is the one muddle: the Amazon listing says the shaker is dishwasher safe, while the maker’s own page recommends hand washing with mild detergent and warm water. Hand washing is the safe choice for the gaskets. Elevated Craft offers a lifetime warranty on its site.

Why we like it

  • 28 oz assembled, room for two drinks and ice
  • Measuring top marked from 1/4 oz to 6 oz
  • Twist-lock lid that will not freeze stuck, per the maker
  • Lifetime warranty, according to Elevated Craft

Key specifications

Model SHKR
Type Hybrid, twist-lock lid and measuring top
Material 18/8 (304) stainless steel, silicone gaskets
Capacity 28 oz assembled; 21.5 oz cup
Insulation Double-wall vacuum
Pieces/lid Cup, strainer lid, measuring top
Dishwasher safe Yes per listing; maker recommends hand washing
Warranty Lifetime (maker)

Why we recommend it

Choose it if you make drinks for two, want to measure everything in the shaker itself, or have had a cobbler lid freeze stuck on you before.

Skip it if you want something compact. At 28 ounces it is a big shaker for smaller hands, and the tall top adds height.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Largest capacity of the insulated picks
  • Detailed measuring marks
  • Threaded lid opens easily when cold

Cons

  • Bulky
  • Care advice differs between listing and maker
  • Strainer pours best at an angle

Check price on Amazon

4. BrüMate Cocktail Shaker, 22 oz – Leakproof and Glass-Free

Best for the poolBrüMate Cocktail Shaker 22oz Stainless Steel Shaker

BrüMate builds drinkware for places glass cannot go, and its cocktail shaker follows suit. The listing calls it made “to go where glass can’t, like pools, beaches, and other glass-free venues”, with BrüMate’s BevGuard insulation to keep drinks cold without condensation, and a silicone base that doubles as a coaster.

It is well set up for measuring. The inside of the cup has markings up to 16 ounces, and the lid works as a jigger with a line every 1.5 ounces up to six. BrüMate gives the volume to the rim as about 22 ounces; its own site lists a working volume of about 18 ounces with the lid on. The OctaLock lid threads on and locks with a twist, which BrüMate describes as 100 percent leakproof, and the maker’s site says the shaker has a built-in strainer for holding back ice.

BrüMate says most of its powder-coated shakers are top-rack dishwasher safe, which is why we link the Sage finish, and backs the shaker with a lifetime guarantee. Check the care note for your color, as a few finishes are exceptions.

Why we like it

  • Made for pools, beaches and other glass-free places
  • Internal marks to 16 oz and a 1.5 oz-step jigger lid
  • Threaded, locking lid described as leakproof
  • Silicone base and lifetime guarantee

Key specifications

Model Cocktail Shaker 22 oz (Sage)
Type Threaded (OctaLock) lid with jigger
Material Stainless steel, powder coated; silicone base
Capacity About 22 oz to the rim; about 18 oz with lid on (maker)
Insulation BevGuard insulated, no condensation
Pieces/lid Cup and jigger lid; strainer built in (maker)
Dishwasher safe Top rack, most powder-coated finishes
Warranty Lifetime guarantee

Why we recommend it

Choose it for the pool deck, the beach or the boat, or for anyone who wants measurements marked on the shaker itself.

Skip it if you want a classic bar look. It reads as outdoor drinkware, and the working volume with the lid on is closer to 18 ounces than 22.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Leakproof threaded lid
  • Measures inside and in the lid
  • Non-slip silicone base

Cons

  • Working volume smaller than the headline size
  • Dishwasher care varies by finish
  • Sporty look

Check price on Amazon

A hand holding a stainless steel mug in a snowy forest
A stainless steel camp mug held outdoors in the snow.

5. Stanley Happy Hour Cocktail Shaker Set, 20 oz – A Whole Bar That Nests

Best travel kitSTANLEY Happy Hour Cocktail Shaker Set

Stanley’s answer to the YETI is a kit rather than a single shaker. The set packs a 20-ounce cocktail shaker, two stainless steel rocks cups, a citrus reamer and a jigger cap into one piece that nests together, which Stanley pitches for fishing, camping, backpacking and beach days. The two cups are double-wall stainless steel, “sweat-free”, in Stanley’s words.

Be clear about what is insulated. The listing title says “insulated stainless steel”, but the features only describe the cups as double-walled, and a retailer listing for the same set does the same, so we cannot confirm the shaker body itself is vacuum insulated. For a camping shaker that hardly matters: the point is having a reamer, a measure, a shaker and two cold cups in one compact bundle.

Retailer listings give the material as 18/8 stainless steel and BPA-free, and the set as about 9 inches tall. The Amazon listing calls the construction dishwasher safe, although one retailer recommends hand washing. Stanley backs it with its lifetime warranty when bought from Stanley resellers.

Why we like it

  • Shaker, two cups, citrus reamer and jigger cap in one
  • Nests into a single piece for packing
  • Double-wall steel cups
  • Lifetime warranty, according to Stanley

Key specifications

Model 100000144957 (Hammertone Frost)
Type Nesting shaker set
Material 18/8 stainless steel, BPA-free (retailer)
Capacity 20 oz shaker; cup size not stated
Insulation Cups double-wall; shaker not clearly stated
Pieces/lid Shaker, jigger cap, citrus reamer, 2 cups
Dishwasher safe Yes per listing; one retailer advises hand washing
Warranty Lifetime (Stanley resellers)

Why we recommend it

Choose it for camping, tailgates and trips, or as a gift for someone who would rather mix drinks at a campsite than a bar cart.

Skip it if insulation is the reason you are shopping. The YETI, BrüMate and Viski state clearly that the shaker itself is insulated; Stanley’s listing does not.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Everything for two drinks in one bundle
  • Compact nesting design
  • Lifetime warranty

Cons

  • Shaker insulation not clearly stated
  • Cup capacity not stated
  • Care advice differs between listings

Check price on Amazon

6. Viski Paragon Insulated Cocktail Shaker, 23 oz – Bar-Cart Looks, Dry Hands

Best-looking insulatedViski Paragon Vacuum Insulated Cocktail Shaker

If the YETI looks too much like camping gear for your bar cart, the Viski Paragon is the dressier alternative. It is double-walled stainless steel with vacuum insulation, which Viski says keeps cocktails chilled while preventing condensation, “so your hands stay comfortable and dry during every shake”. A faceted pattern on the body gives it a secure grip and a more decorative look.

The cap is a measure with lines from 1 to 6 ounces, and the lid is threaded with what Viski calls a leak-proof seal and a built-in strainer. A threaded lid unscrews rather than pulls, so it does not stick the way a pressed-on cobbler lid can. Viski says it vets its products with its professional bartender community.

The listing is thin on the rest: no care instructions, no steel grade and no warranty term. This is the same Paragon recommended in our guide to the best cocktail shaker for margaritas, in a different color.

Why we like it

  • Vacuum-insulated double walls, no condensation
  • Measuring cap marked 1 to 6 oz
  • Threaded, leak-proof lid with built-in strainer
  • Faceted body for grip and looks

Key specifications

Model 11781 (Obsidian)
Type Cobbler-style with threaded lid
Material Stainless steel (grade not stated)
Capacity 23 oz
Insulation Double-wall vacuum
Pieces/lid Cup, strainer lid, measuring cap
Dishwasher safe Not stated
Warranty Not stated

Why we recommend it

Choose it if you want the comfort of insulation in a shaker that looks at home on a bar cart, or as a gift.

Skip it if you want clear care and warranty terms. Viski states neither in the listing, where BrüMate and Simple Modern state both.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Dressier than outdoor-brand shakers
  • Measuring cap
  • Threaded lid will not stick

Cons

  • Care not stated
  • Warranty not stated
  • One drink at a time

Check price on Amazon

7. Simple Modern Cocktail Shaker with Jigger Lid, 20 oz – Insulated for Less

Budget pickSimple Modern Cocktail Shaker Set with Jigger Lid

Simple Modern makes insulated tumblers in the same style as YETI and Stanley, usually for less, and its cocktail shaker is the budget way into an insulated shaker the same size as the YETI. The listing describes a 20-ounce, double-wall insulated stainless steel cup with a matte powder-coated finish.

The lid twists on, which Simple Modern says prevents leaks, and has a built-in strainer and a jigger cap marked at half an ounce and one ounce. The cup also takes any lid from Simple Modern’s Classic collection, so it can serve as an everyday tumbler between cocktail nights. All pieces are top-rack dishwasher safe, according to the listing, and it carries a limited lifetime warranty.

The listing says little else: no steel grade and no detail on the type of insulation beyond “double wall”. For the price, it does the same practical job as the YETI: dry hands, a strainer, and a small measure on top.

Why we like it

  • Double-wall insulated steel at a budget price
  • Twist-on lid with built-in strainer
  • Jigger cap marked at 1/2 and 1 oz
  • Top-rack dishwasher safe, limited lifetime warranty

Key specifications

Model CLSC-CS-20-ALB (Almond Birch)
Type Cobbler-style, twist-on lid
Material Stainless steel, matte powder coating (grade not stated)
Capacity 20 oz
Insulation Double-wall
Pieces/lid Cup, strainer lid, jigger cap
Dishwasher safe Top rack, all pieces
Warranty Limited lifetime

Why we recommend it

Choose it if you like the idea of the YETI but not the price, or want an insulated shaker that doubles as a tumbler.

Skip it if you want measuring marks for full spirit pours. The jigger cap only marks half and one ounce.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Low cost for an insulated shaker
  • Dishwasher safe
  • Cup works with other Classic lids

Cons

  • Small jigger markings
  • Steel grade not stated
  • One drink at a time

Check price on Amazon

8. Cocktail Kingdom Koriko Weighted Shaking Tins – Cold Drinks Without Insulation

Skip the insulationCocktail Kingdom® Koriko® Weighted Shaking Tin Set (Stainless Steel)

This pick is here for balance. If what you want from a shaker is the coldest, best-mixed drink, a plain set of steel tins does that as well as any insulated shaker, for the reasons Difford’s Guide sets out: thin stainless steel takes almost nothing from the drink, and the ice does the work. Cocktail Kingdom’s Koriko tins are the set bartenders learn on, and the maker calls them “the industry-standard shaking tins preferred by professional bartenders”.

The set pairs a weighted 18-ounce (532 ml) tin with a weighted 28-ounce (830 ml) tin, with a two-drink capacity, according to Cocktail Kingdom. The maker says the tins are made to seal tightly yet separate easily, and the listing gives them as dishwasher safe. You will need a Hawthorne strainer, which our guide to the best cocktail shaker strainer covers.

The trade-offs are the ones insulation solves: the tins get painfully cold and wet in the hand, and they are not made for carrying drinks around. They are also our top pick in the main shaker guide, which is a fair sign of where the professionals’ money goes.

Why we like it

  • Weighted 18 oz and 28 oz tins, two-drink capacity
  • Made to seal tightly and separate easily, per the maker
  • Thin steel chills fast without insulation
  • Dishwasher safe, according to the listing

Key specifications

Model KORIKO-SHAKER
Type Boston, tin-on-tin
Material Stainless steel (grade not stated)
Capacity 18 oz (532 ml) and 28 oz (830 ml); two drinks
Insulation None (single wall)
Pieces/lid 2 tins; strainer sold separately
Dishwasher safe Yes (listing)
Warranty Not stated

Why we recommend it

Choose it if you mostly mix indoors, make drinks for two or more, or want the tool most bartenders use.

Skip it if cold, wet hands or a glass-free patio are why you were looking at a YETI. Tins do not help with either.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Shakes two drinks at once
  • Chills as well as insulated shakers
  • Professional standard

Cons

  • Cold and wet to hold
  • Strainer sold separately
  • Seal takes practice

Check price on Amazon

How to choose an insulated cocktail shaker

Five things separate one insulated shaker from another. The logo is not one of them.

1. Why you want insulation

Be honest about the reason. If it is a colder drink, the research above says plain steel tins already get there. If it is comfortable hands, no condensation on the counter, or a drink that stays cold by the pool, insulation earns its place, and any of the insulated picks will do it.

2. The lid: press-on or threaded

The YETI’s lid presses on, like a classic cobbler. That is quick, but some YETI buyers report it leaking or popping off during a hard shake. The BrüMate, Viski, Elevated Craft and Simple Modern lids thread or twist on, which seals more securely and opens easily when cold. If leaks would bother you, a threaded lid is the safer choice.

Clear ice cubes scattered on a dark blue surface
Clear ice cubes, which do most of the chilling in a shaken drink.

3. Capacity for the drinks you make

A margarita built to the International Bartenders Association recipe is about 85 ml (just under 3 ounces) of liquid before ice. A 20-ounce shaker handles one drink with room for ice to move. For two drinks at once, you want the 28-ounce Elevated Craft or a tin set. Remember that headline sizes are often measured to the rim: BrüMate gives about 18 ounces with the lid on for its 22-ounce shaker.

4. Measuring built in

Most insulated shakers put a measure in the cap. The Elevated Craft and Viski caps go up to six ounces with fine marks, BrüMate marks every 1.5 ounces, the YETI cap is a single ounce, and Simple Modern marks half and one ounce. If you want to leave the jigger in the drawer, choose a shaker with detailed marks.

5. Care and warranty

Check the dishwasher advice for your exact color, since powder-coated finishes can differ, and note where makers disagree with their own listings, as Elevated Craft does. Warranty terms range from YETI’s five years (as retailers list it) to lifetime from Stanley, BrüMate and Elevated Craft; Viski and Cocktail Kingdom state none in their listings.

How we chose these eight shakers

We started from the YETI Rambler cocktail shaker, then looked for the insulated shakers it is most often compared with, from identifiable brands sold on Amazon in the United States: Stanley, BrüMate, Viski, Elevated Craft, Simple Modern and OGGI. We added a plain steel tin set so that buyers can see what they give up, or do not, by skipping insulation. Specifications come from each maker’s Amazon listing and website, with retailer listings noted where we used them. For how shaking chills a drink we relied on Difford’s Guide, which summarises Dave Arnold’s measurements, and for the YETI review on Mary-Frances Heck’s comparison for Outside and buyer reviews on retailer sites. Every pick was in stock when we checked. Hydro Flask’s shaker is a protein bottle rather than a cocktail shaker, Corkcicle’s cocktail shaker was low in stock, and several insulated shakers from little-known sellers were left out. We have not used these shakers ourselves; where we describe how one performs, we say whose description it is.

Two metal containers standing in the sand on a sunny beach by the ocean
Two metal containers in the sand on a sunny beach.

YETI cocktail shaker questions, answered

Is the YETI cocktail shaker worth it?

It is worth it if you value durability, comfortable hands and a shaker that goes outdoors, and if you like YETI’s drinkware. It is not worth it purely for a colder drink: plain steel tins chill a drink almost as well, according to the bartending research we cite, and cost less. If you already own a Rambler 20 oz tumbler, YETI also sells its shaker lid separately, though it was on back-order when we last checked.

What sizes does the YETI cocktail shaker come in?

YETI sells the complete Rambler cocktail shaker in one size, 20 ounces (591 ml), in a range of colors. The separate shaker lid fits several Rambler cups and mugs from 10 to 25 ounces, according to YETI.

Does the YETI cocktail shaker leak?

YETI calls it leak resistant, and many buyers report no problems, but some retailer reviews describe the press-on lid leaking or coming off during a hard shake. Press the lid down firmly, keep a hand over the cap while you shake, and do not overfill it.

Can you put the YETI cocktail shaker in the dishwasher?

Yes. YETI’s listing for the lid says it is dishwasher safe, and retailers list the complete shaker as dishwasher safe.

Does an insulated shaker make drinks colder?

Only slightly, if at all. Difford’s Guide reports that shaking brings a drink to about -5°C to -8°C within roughly 12 seconds whatever the technique, and that thin steel absorbs very little cold. One comparison for Outside measured a 2°F edge for the YETI over a pewter shaker. The bigger benefits of insulation are dry, comfortable hands and drinks that stay cold in the heat.

How much alcohol is in a shaken margarita?

The tequila in a standard IBA margarita, 50 ml, is slightly more than one U.S. standard drink, which the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines as 1.5 fluid ounces of 40 percent spirit, and the orange liqueur adds more. A large shaker makes it easy to pour big drinks, so measure with a jigger, drink responsibly, and never drink and drive, on land or on the water.

Our pick for a YETI-style shaker

Buy the YETI Rambler 20 oz Cocktail Shaker if you want an insulated shaker that will survive the patio, the boat and the campsite, and seat the lid firmly. Choose the OGGI Groove for a compact one-drink shaker, the Elevated Craft Hybrid for two drinks at a time, the BrüMate for the pool, and the Simple Modern to spend less. And if what you really want is the coldest margarita, plain Cocktail Kingdom Koriko tins and a strainer do that.

For every other kind of shaker, see our guide to the best cocktail shaker, and for a starter bar on a small budget, the best cheap cocktail shaker. Our hub on margarita accessories covers the squeezer, jigger and glasses that go with any shaker, and our guide to tequila types explains what to pour.

And if you would rather someone else made the drinks tonight, see our drinks and the menu, or call to order.

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