How to Drink Spirits: Shaken vs. Stirred Cocktails

“Shaken, not stirred.” We all know the famous words from James Bond, but was he right? When should you shake your cocktails and when should you stir them? It’s not as simple as Mr. Bond makes it seem.

Below we break down which cocktails should be stirred and which cocktails should be shaken so you can order like an expert the next time you’re out.

When to Shake Cocktails

Shaken cocktails typically contain non-alcoholic mixers such as fruit juices, simple syrups, dairy, egg or sour mix. Shaking a cocktail breaks down the ice and dilutes the cocktail – which is not necessarily a bad thing. A diluted cocktail actually makes a more balanced flavor. Some favorite shaken cocktails include:

• Margarita:

  • A margarita combines lime, triple sec, and tequila. The shaking not only combines the ingredients but helps make the cocktail very cold.

• Cosmopolitan:

  • A cosmopolitan includes cranberry juice, lime juice, and vodka. The shaking of this cocktail allows for the ingredients to be agitated enough for the tart lime juice to mix well with the sweet cranberry and orange juice.

• Whiskey Sour:

  • A whiskey sour contains simple syrup, lemon juice, whiskey, and sometimes an egg white. The ingredients are combined and shaken, without ice for 20 seconds. Ice is then added and the cocktail is mixed for another 15 to 20 seconds. The cocktail is then strained and finished with a drop or two of bitters.

• Ridge Runner:

  • A favorite shaken cocktail at Eight Oaks, the Ridge Runner includes Bourbon, orange marmalade, bitters, and honey. Add all ingredients in a shaker. Fill with ice and shake well (about 10 seconds). Pour ingredients and ice into a rocks glass. Garnish with Amarena cherries.

When to Stir Cocktails

Stirred cocktails are made completely of spirits or bitters. Because there are no juices to combine, these types of cocktails do not require shaking. Stirring a cocktail provides a more gentle combining effect, without dilution of the spirits. Some favorite stirred cocktails include:

• Martini:

  • A classic martini is made with Gin and a dry vermouth. Although there are many varieties of martinis, these iconic drinks should always be stirred, not shaken, to ensure that the spirits are not diluted.

• Old Fashioned:

  • An Old Fashioned, like a martini, contains no juice or mixes and therefore should always be stirred. A classic old fashioned can be made with either rye or bourbon, bitters, simple syrup or sugar cube and an orange twist. The ingredients should be combined in a shaker with ice, stirred, and then strained.

• Manhattan

  • A manhattan includes whiskey, vermouth, and bitters added to a shaker and stirred with ice. It is then strained and added to a cocktail glass with an orange rim and maraschino Cherries. Shaking this cocktail would result in a cloudy mess.

• Tessa’s Tea

  • In addition to these classic stirred drinks, Eight Oaks has come up with some delicious stirred cocktails. To make Tessa’s Tea, fill a glass with ice and pour in mint infused Applejack, lime juice, and honey. Fill the glass with green tea. Stir to mix well. Garnish with a large mint spring and lemon or lime.

Cheers!