Cocktail shaking is a method that has been used by bartenders for many years. It was first introduced in the early 1800s, and it has evolved to become the shaker that we know today.
To Shake cocktails bartenders face two major challenges that cocktail shakers face: clogging and leakage. Proper steps must be taken to avoid these problems. Clogging leads to barely mixing ingredients, which results in a cocktail that’s too strong or too watery. While leakage causes the cocktail ingredients to leak out.
Both of these challenges can be easily avoided by taking proper steps and a few precautions. This article will show you how to shake a cocktail without experiencing these problems; also find which cocktails you should shake, and which shouldn’t.
Shake Your Cocktail Properly
Shaking a cocktail is an art. At first, it can be intimidating but once you do it enough times and practice the proper technique, shaking the cocktail becomes pretty easy.
To shake a cocktail properly, you will need a cocktail shaker and some basic tools:
- jigger or measuring cup
- bar spoon
- strainer
The following tips will help you shake your cocktails like a pro!
Step 1: Fill the cocktail shaker about two-thirds full of ice.
Step 2: Add all of the ingredients for the cocktail, except for the liquor.
Step 3: Place the cocktail shaker on a hard surface and hold it with one hand. Using your other hand, grip the top of the cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds.
Step 4: Strain the cocktail into a glass and enjoy!
Jigger or measuring cup ensure you use the correct amount of cocktail ingredients. This is important because if you do not use the right ingredients, your cocktail will not taste as good. Using a jigger or measuring cup also helps to prevent over-pour, which can lead to wasted liquor and a weaker cocktail.
Bar spoon will ensure all of the cocktail ingredients are evenly distributed and blended well. The strainer will keep the cocktail ice-free. This is important because a cocktail with ice can be watered down and not as flavorful.
Shake Cocktail Effectively: Pro Tips
Cocktail shakers come in all shapes and sizes, but they all have one common goal: to mix your cocktail ingredients properly. Here are some tips for shaking like a pro:
- Use a cocktail shaker that fits comfortably in your hand. This will help you shake it more effectively.
- Make sure the lid is on very tightly.
- Shake the cocktail shaker up and down (not side to side). This ensures that all of your liquids are mixed properly, no matter what kind of cocktail you’re making!
- Be careful not to overshake your cocktail. Shaking for too long can make it taste bitter.
- If you’re making a cocktail with ice, be sure to shake it for long enough that the ice is properly chilled.
LEARN MORE: What Is The Difference Between Shaken And Stirred Martini?
Tools Used To Shake Cocktails
The cocktail shaker is the most important tool when shaking cocktails. There are a few different types of cocktail shakers, but the most common is the Boston Shaker. This type of shaker consists of two parts: a metal container and a glass or plastic cup. The metal container is also called the “mixing tin” or “tin” for short, while the cup is called “the pint glass.”
Cocktail Shakers are used to mix and aerate ingredients. There are different types of cocktail shakers available on the market, so be sure to choose one that best suits your needs. There are two main types of cocktail shakers:
- Boston Shaker
- French Shaker
The Boston Shaker is a two-piece shaker that consists of a metal tumbler and a glass or plastic mixing cup. The French Shaker, also known as the Parisian Shaker, is a one-piece shaker that consists of a metal tin and a rubber cap.
The Boston Shaker is the preferred cocktail shaker among professional bartenders. It is sturdier and easier to clean than the French Shaker, which makes it better suited for use in bars and restaurants. It is very easy to learn how to use it. Boston Shakers can be used with any type of cocktail; they are durable enough to last for many years.
However, if you are a home bartender who doesn’t have access to glassware or bar tools, then a French Shaker may be a better option for you. French Shaker is the best choice for the home bartender because it is easy to use. Even a beginner can easily handle it as well as a cocktail expert bartender.
LEARN MORE: Orange Creamsicle Martini
Cocktails You Should Shake
There are some cocktail recipes that you must shake to achieve the best results. Daiquiris and Piña Coladas are two examples of this. In addition, shaken cocktails typically have a lighter color and more carbonation than stirred cocktails. They also taste better because shaking aerates the ingredients as well as mixes them more evenly. Be sure to shake cocktail recipes that require it.
Some of the best cocktails to make with a shaker:
- Margaritas
- Mojitos
- Daiquiris
- Piña Coladas
- Long Island Iced Teas
- Bloody Marys
- Cosmopolitans
If you do not shake a Daiquiri cocktail, it will not taste as good as it could. This is because shaking the cocktail helps to dissolve the sugar and distribute the flavors evenly. If you don’t shake it, the cocktail will be more syrupy and less flavorful.
If you do not shake a Piña Coladas, they will not be as smooth and creamy. The cocktail will not have the desired consistency and it may be less enjoyable to drink. Shaking helps to combine all of the ingredients and create a smooth texture.
LEARN MORE:Â What is Martini Bianco?
Cocktails You Should Not Shake
Cocktail recipes with spirits like gin or whiskey should be stirred instead of shaken because they can become “bruised” when shaken too much. This means that the flavors can become muddled and the cocktail will not taste as good.
Cocktail recipes, such as Martinis and Manhattans, are better stirred. The reason for this is that shaking these cocktail drinks can also bruise the ingredients in a way that stirring does not. This causes them to lose their flavor over time, so they should be stirred instead of shaken when making cocktail drinks with spirits like gin or whiskey.
When you shake a Martini cocktail, you’re not mixing the drink as much as you are aerating it. This is because Martinis already have a high level of sugar and liquor, so shaking them more will only result in a watered-down drink. Overshaking a Martini can release too much carbon dioxide and make the drink taste bitter. For this reason, it’s best to stir a Martini cocktail instead of shaking it.
Just like Martinis, overshaking a Manhattan cocktail can also release too much carbon dioxide and make the drink taste bitter. In addition, stirring a Manhattan cocktail helps to dissolve the sugar better than shaking it does. This is why it’s best to stir a Manhattan cocktail instead of shaking it.
LEARN MORE:Â What Does A Martini Taste Like?
Conclusion
Finally, you have learned how to shake cocktail drinks properly. If you are a beginner, make sure that you practice shaking cocktail drinks with water first before using liquor to avoid spilling alcohol on yourself or others. Also, remember not to shake cocktail recipes like Martinis and Manhattans because this can result in a bitter-tasting drink.
LEARN MORE: Pomegranate Martini, Margatini
