Shaken vs Stirred Cocktails
The rule of thumb is simple: shake drinks with citrus, dairy or egg, and stir drinks made only of spirits, liqueurs and bitters.
| Shaken | Stirred | |
|---|---|---|
| Use for | Citrus, juice, cream, egg white | Spirit-only drinks |
| Texture | Aerated, frothy | Silky, dense |
| Dilution | More, faster | Controlled, slower |
| Appearance | Cloudy with tiny bubbles | Clear |
| Time | About 10-15 seconds | About 20-30 seconds |
| Tools | Shaker and strainer | Mixing glass, bar spoon, julep strainer |
Choose Shaken if
- Daiquiri, margarita, whiskey sour
- Anything with fresh juice
- Drinks with egg white or cream
Choose Stirred if
- Martini, Manhattan, Negroni
- Old Fashioned
- Any drink you want crystal clear
The bottom line
Shake to mix and aerate ingredients that do not combine easily, and stir to chill and dilute spirit-forward drinks while keeping them clear and smooth.