Modern Dial-A-Recipe Cobbler Style Cocktail Shaker
Hollowware (Cocktail Shaker / Barware) · Unknown mass-market manufacturer; retailed by TJX Companies (HomeSense). This is a contemporary consumer product rather than a piece from a specialized silversmith.
Pattern: Dial-A-Recipe / Recipe Indicator Pattern (Generic)
Type
Hollowware (Cocktail Shaker / Barware)
Maker
Unknown mass-market manufacturer; retailed by TJX Companies (HomeSense). This is a contemporary consumer product rather than a piece from a specialized silversmith.
Material
Polished Stainless Steel with a brass-toned or gold-toned rotating metal band. This item contains no silver content.
Dimensions
Standard 24 oz (approx. 750ml) capacity; height approximately 9-10 inches. Weight is approximately 350-450 grams.
Description
A contemporary interpretation of the classic Art Deco cocktail shaker, this piece features a high-shine stainless steel body accented by a rotating brass-colored recipe band. It serves as both a functional bar tool and a cheat sheet for the home bartender, displaying modern cocktail ingredients at a turn of the sleeve.
Key Features
Rotating recipe dial; high-luster finish; three-piece cobbler design; specific inclusion of modern recipes like Green Tea Shots.
Material & Composition
Polished Stainless Steel with a brass-toned or gold-toned rotating metal band. This item contains no silver content.
Finish & Decoration
High-polish mirror finish on the body; brushed gold-tone finish on the recipe band. Features etched or printed black text for various cocktails (Dirty Martini, Green Tea Shots, Pina Colada, Mai Tai).
Hallmarks & Stamps
No silver hallmarks present. Likely marked with "Stainless Steel" and "Made in China/India" on the underside of the base.
Construction Details
Machine-pressed and spun stainless steel. Three-piece construction includes the main tumbler, a shoulder with a built-in strainer, and a cap.
Functional Features
Rotating recipe sleeve that reveals ingredients through windows; built-in ice strainer; friction-fit cap and lid.
Handle & Grip Details
Sleek, handle-less tapered cylindrical body designed for two-handed shaking.
Craftsmanship Details
Mass-produced industrial quality. Edges are rolled by machine; the rotating band is fitted with standard tolerances; high-speed mechanical polishing used for the finish.
Authentication Indicators
Modern retail pricing stickers (HomeSense Dept 36); absence of silver hallmarks; presence of modern typeface and stainless steel luster rather than the warm patina of sterling or silver plate.
Origin & Manufacturing
Likely manufactured in China or India for global retail distribution. Produced using industrial automated metal formers.
Era & Period
Contemporary / Modern (21st Century). It mimics the mid-century "Dial-A-Drink" styles popularized in the 1930s-50s but utilizes modern fonts and cocktail recipes.
Age Estimate
Circa 2015-present. The presence of a "HomeSense" retail tag and modern cocktail names like "Green Tea Shots" indicate recent production.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'home entertaining' trend and the resurgence of cocktail culture in the 2010s, emphasizing convenience and instructional design over luxury materials.
Condition Notes
Mint/New Retail Condition. Surface is highly reflective with no visible dents; retail adhesive tag is present on the base.
Value Estimate
Retail value $12.99 - $19.99 USD. Resale value is negligible, typically fetching $5-$10 at secondary markets as it is a common housewares item.
Care & Maintenance
Hand wash only with mild soap to preserve the rotating mechanism and printed text; dry immediately with a soft cloth to avoid water spots on the stainless steel.
Similar Pieces
Vintage Napier 'Tell-You-How' Shakers (Silver plate/Pioneer of the style); Restoration Hardware 'Dial' Shakers; Various novelty stainless steel barware from Target or West Elm.
Interesting Facts
The 'Dial-A-Drink' shaker was originally patented in the early 1930s by Napier; modern versions like this one update the recipes to include 21st-century 'shooter' culture.