Product Review: High Camp Flasks Highball Shaker

Editor’s Note: These products were provided to us as a review sample by High Camp Flasks. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review. 

Thinking about a long weekend hike leaves me feeling parched even before I step out of my house. Finding solutions for bringing along a cocktail without weighing down myself and anyone else involved takes all the fun out of the hiking experience. So, when this shaker came across my desk, I was intrigued and excited to give it a whirl.

High Camp Flasks has been delivering on-the-go solutions for active lifestyle drinkers since 2017. Their first concepts were to deliver the quality and experience of the traditional hip flask, but in an updated design and able to deliver more than just a few sips. Their designs are slick and classy, with clean lines and options for metal finish.

The concept for the Highball Shaker is sound. It has a main compartment to not only construct, but to keep your cocktails at an even temperature with a heavy insulated body. This is held together with a pour off/stirring section, and a lid sealing off all three compartments. So, in practical use, does the product deliver on its promises?

Highcamp Flasks Highball Shaker (image via Highcamp Flasks)

Technical Specs: 20 oz shaker. 100% 18/8 stainless steel interior. Vacuum insulated for 24-hr temperature control. Silicon seals to prevent leakage. Dual purpose strainer with access for stirring or for straining. $79 plus shipping.

Appearance: The copper coating on the outside is well finished and eye catching. The flask comes with a micro-fiber drawstring bag for storage. This will help with development of any patina that copper tends to develop, but it feels a bit impractical besides that.

Review: The threading on the two lid elements is secure. It feels sturdy, which is is a plus if you are wanting to use it in the outdoors. It could surely take a drop or two over its lifespan. The downside is that it is a bit heavy, potentially weighing down any backpacker after a while. I’d definitely consider it for day use or as an accessory to your camping cookware.

When it comes to the cocktail delivery elements, this would be more for pre-made cocktails that you want as a refreshing pour at the end of a long hike. The insulation delivers on keeping things cool, but no product out there can keep ice from melting so if you leave ice in there you need to compensate for the inherent dilution from the melt-age. My recommendation: Fully construct your cocktail before leaving, then extract the ice once mixed before sealing away your beverage for later without excessive dilution. The problem is that you lose the need for the strainer unless you are planning to mix more cocktails when you arrive at your destination–but then there is the issue of transporting ice.

As a cool drink delivery device I give it a thumbs up. As an on-the-go cocktail making system, I don’t score it as high. It is a fun gift idea for the active person in your life, but don’t expect it to be an everyday use item. It is nice to have your shaker elements self-contained when you are traveling, but the weight is a bit of a concern for me. Overall, however, it’s a fun product.