How Long Should I Shake a Cocktail?

cocktail being shaken with ice in a shaker tin

Shaking a cocktail isn’t just about blending liquids — it’s a careful balance of dilution, temperature, and texture. Whether making a classic Daiquiri or a modern whiskey sour, how long you shake directly impacts the result in your glass. Here’s how to get it right every time.

What Happens When You Shake a Cocktail?

Shaking achieves three main things:

Rapidly chills ingredients by forcing them to contact ice.
Dilutes the mix as the ice melts, balancing alcohol strength.
Aerates and emulsifies, creating texture (crucial for recipes with citrus or egg white).

How Long Should You Shake Most Cocktails?

For the majority of shaken recipes (think sours, daiquiris, cosmopolitans), **10–15 seconds** is the ideal range. This window efficiently chills the ingredients and gives perfect dilution without making the drink watery. Too short, and your drink will taste rough and warm; too long, and it becomes thin.

Aim for around 12 seconds with plenty of fresh ice — enough for the shaker to heavily frost over.
If using large format ice cubes, edge closer to the 15 second mark.
If your glassware is pre-chilled, you may cut a few seconds off.

Does the Type of Cocktail Matter?

Different ingredients call for slightly different shaking times. Here’s what to consider:

Egg white cocktails (like a whiskey sour): Shake once without ice ("dry shake") for 8 seconds, then again with ice for 12–15 seconds for fluffy foam.
Cream or dairy: Shake at least 15 seconds to fully combine and thicken the texture.
Simple citrus/spirit drinks: 10–12 seconds with lots of ice does the job.
Herbs or muddled ingredients: Give a little longer shake (up to 15 seconds) to fully extract flavors.

shaken cocktail with foam served in a coupe glass

Tips for the Perfect Shake

Use fresh, hard ice cubes (not watery or chipped) for optimal chill and controlled dilution.
Hold the shaker firmly with both hands and shake vigorously over your shoulder.
Listen for the change in sound — it gets duller as the ice breaks down. That’s your cue for finishing.
Strain immediately after shaking to avoid over-dilution.

cocktail shaker next to coupe glass and large ice cubes

Quick Reference: Classic Shake Timing

Sours, daiquiris, margaritas: 10–15 seconds
Egg-white drinks: 8 seconds dry, then 12–15 seconds with ice
Creamy cocktails: 15 seconds

When in doubt, check your shaker — a layer of frost means you’re there. Taste and tweak your timing for each recipe, and you’ll have cold, well-balanced cocktails with perfect texture every time.