Updated on: 6/3/2025
What Is 'Shaking' in Cocktail Making?
Shaking is the cornerstone mixing method for cocktails that need more than gentle stirring. It rapidly cools the ingredients, blends flavors thoroughly, and introduces air for a brighter, more inviting texture. This technique is essential when working with drinks containing fruit juices, egg whites, dairy, or opaque ingredients—anything that won’t properly mix through stirring alone.
Why Bartenders Shake Cocktails
The act of shaking does much more than combine ingredients. Three key results set it apart:
- Chilling: Shaking with ice drops the temperature rapidly, serving the drink crisp and cold.
- Dilution: Melting ice smooths out strong spirits and balances acidity, making flavors easier to enjoy.
- Aeration: Airy bubbles lighten the drink’s texture—especially noticeable in cocktails using egg white or cream for a frothy top.
When to Use the Shaking Method
- Cocktails with citrus or fruit juice (e.g., Daiquiri, Margarita, Whiskey Sour)
- Drinks with cream, milk, or coconut cream (e.g., Ramos Gin Fizz, White Russian)
- Egg white or aquafaba cocktails where a thick foam head is desired
- Any recipe demanding a uniform, opaque appearance
Classic recipes like the Whiskey Sour and Margarita taste visibly brighter and better-integrated when shaken—stirring simply won't develop the required froth or proper dilution.
How to Shake a Cocktail Properly
- Add all wet ingredients to the shaker.
- Fill shaker three-quarters full with fresh ice for rapid chilling and balanced dilution.
- Seal the shaker tightly; grip both halves securely.
- Shake vigorously for 10–15 seconds, aiming for a steady, rhythmic motion over your shoulder.
- Strain the cocktail into the proper glassware, using a strainer to hold back ice shards.
Shaking vs. Stirring: Making the Right Choice
Stirring is favored for spirit-forward cocktails like the Martini or Manhattan, where clarity is prized and minimal aeration is needed. Shaking, by contrast, is chosen whenever the goal is maximum integration, a light or frothy appearance, and thorough cooling in a short period. The cocktail’s recipe—especially if it lists juice, dairy, or eggs—usually tells you in advance which is best.