Maraca Plastic Shaker

The Maraca Plastic Shaker from Esplanda is a plastic shaker in the maraca style. Its main practical advantage is the material. Plastic is lighter than steel and won't break if dropped on a hard floor. That suits poolside bars, outdoor events, boat trips and any setting where glass or metal is awkward. Plastic also doesn't chill the way steel does. Expect it to mix drinks well but to cool them less aggressively than a metal tin. Pack plenty of ice and shake a few seconds longer to compensate. It works best on drinks that need shaking: sours, daiquiris, margaritas, whiskey sours and anything built on citrus juice, sugar and spirit. Shaking with ice chills, dilutes and aerates these drinks together. Spirit-only drinks such as martinis, Manhattans and Old Fashioneds are usually stirred in a mixing glass, and a shaker adds nothing to them. Fruit-forward mixes and frozen-style preparations that need breaking up are also good uses. If you put carbonated ingredients in, add them after shaking and never seal the shaker with them inside. Fill the shaker about two-thirds with ice, add the ingredients, close it firmly and shake hard for roughly 10 to 15 seconds. Strain into the glass the recipe calls for. That means a coupe or cocktail glass for drinks served up, or a rocks glass over fresh ice for drinks served on the rocks. Rinse it right after use. Citrus and sugar residue is easier to remove while wet. Check the care label or packaging before using a dishwasher, since heat can warp plastic. I haven't been given its capacity, dimensions or dishwasher rating, so confirm those before relying on the shaker for large batches.