How To Shake A Cocktail Properly
Most cocktail recipes require you to shake the components with a cocktail shaker. It’s the most fun and entertaining bartending technique there is, and it’s very simple to do. Learning how to shake cocktails properly will significantly improve your drinks. With a few pointers and a little practice, you’ll be an expert in no time. After you’ve learned your shaking technique, your drinks will be crisp, cold, and have a perfect balance of tastes.
Cocktail Shaker Styles
Cocktail shakers are available in three distinct styles – just look at the wide range of cocktail shakers from Drinkstuff if you don’t believe us! They all produce wonderful cocktails, so it’s a question of personal choice.
- The cobbler shaker is a traditional three-piece shaker with a shaking tin, built-in strainer, and cap
- The Boston shaker comes with two parts: a big shaking tin and a smaller glass or pint cup. A separate strainer is required
- The French (or Parisian) shaker is a cross between two types. It’s a two-piece shaker with a cobbler top but no cap and no built-in strainer. The first three are all white and have a matte finish, while the fourth is mostly silvery. The last two are often more costly and uncommon than the previous three
When purchasing a shaker, the material is crucial. Stainless steel is the most popular material for cocktail shakers because it is long-lasting, easy to keep clean, prevents hefty scents and tastes from being trapped, and maintains temperature better than other metals. Cobblers made of plastic or glass are available, but it’s unlikely that they will endure. While a pint glass is also acceptable for the smaller portion of a Boston shaker, many professional bartenders prefer to use two tins because they believe it results in more consistent drinks.
How to Shake a Cocktail
The procedure of mixing a cocktail is simple. From the time you start mixing the ingredients to the time you strain the drink, it should take no more than a minute. In most situations, you’ll follow these six steps to shake a cocktail:
1. Pour the contents of the mixing glass into a cocktail shaker tin
2. Fill the shaker halfway with ice
3. Tighten the lid or shake the tin
4. Hold each piece with both hands and shake violently in a horizontal fashion over your back.
5. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes and 1 cup (250ml) of club soda. Shake for a count of ten or until the outside of the shaker begins to frost
6. Strain your drink into a chilled glass. When preparing drinks served on the rocks, be sure to strain over fresh ice
Shaker Substitutes
If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, a jar with a secure lid will suffice in a pinch. Mason jars are popular, but any medium-to-large container will do. Using a basic dish brush and warm, soapy water to fully clean your cocktail shaker is the simplest way to ensure that it’s free of any lingering tastes or scents.
Shaking a cocktail is an art that takes practice and patience. With some pointers from this article on how to shake cocktails properly, you’ll be on your way to becoming the life of the party with your signature drinks in no time!
