When crafting the perfect cocktail, a lot of factors are to be considered: the ingredients and their quality, the glassware to use, and lastly, the mixing technique. While there are cocktails that are best shaken, others are also best stirred, and some are blended. But how do we identify which mixing technique to use for a cocktail?

Knowing the difference between each mixing technique is vital in successfully creating a well-balanced and tasty cocktail. In this article, we'll explore and learn more about these mixing techniques and give you tips on how to master each of them. Prepare to take your cocktail game a level higher and impress your family and friends with your fail-proof mixed drinks each time!

What’s the Difference?

When it comes to making cocktails, the techniques of shaking, stirring, and blending all have a significant effect on the final mixture. 

Shaking a cocktail is a process that is required for drinks that contain fruit juices or other mixers that need to be well incorporated. Stirring is a more subtle method that is often used for cocktails that contain all spirits, like Martini or Manhattan. Stirring helps to mix the ingredients evenly while also maintaining the clarity of the drink.

Lastly, blending is a process that involves using a blender to create a smooth and creamy texture for frozen cocktails, such as Pina Coladas or Margaritas. Each technique has a purpose, and understanding the difference between these methods can help you to come up with the perfect cocktail each time.

SHAKE

This particular technique probably is the most used technique when creating cocktails. When a recipe calls for citrus, an egg, or cream as one of the ingredients, it is advisable to shake the mixture rather than stir it. These ingredients are often considered cloudy components and need to be shaken in order to incorporate fully and change the texture of the cocktail as a whole. It is something that stirring alone can not achieve. 

To do this properly, you will need a trusty cocktail shaker. There are two basic types of cocktail shakers that you can use: 

Cobbler Shaker: a three-piece cocktail shaker that consists of its base, a built-in strainer, and a cap.

Boston Shaker: Consists of two tins one is larger and weighted to support stability, while the other one is smaller and acts as its cap. It is placed upside down on top of the larger one to create a seal securing all ingredients when shaking.

When shaking, it is not just merely turning the ice around to dilute and chill. Think of emulsifying and marrying all the components into one cohesive liquid. Try to shake it high and low while turning and tumbling the ice inside to promote aeration. This should create tiny bubbles that will give the cocktail a cloudy, smooth, and light texture while ensuring that all ingredients are well integrated.

We’ve made a separate article about this method entitled The Art of Cocktail Shaking, where we discussed shaking in detail with other helpful shaking methods that you may be interested in looking into.

Here are some shaken cocktails that you might want to try:

The Tiki Bonfire Cocktail

Daiquiri

Whiskey Smash Cocktail

STIR

Stirring is probably the easiest technique that even a beginner can perform, but it can be tricky and need careful attention too! If a drink contains more liquor in it or calls for clear ingredients, the rule of thumb is to stir it to avoid bruising the alcohol or losing its crispiness. These drinks are sometimes stirred in a cocktail beaker or shaker and sometimes built and stirred in the same glass they will be served in. 

You’ll need a reliable bar spoon, a cocktail beaker, and a Hawthorne strainer for cocktails that don’t require ice when served. 

Gently stir the ice and the liquor while holding the bar spoon at the top of the handle or its twisted part for an easy and gentle grip. Start rotating the spoon slowly for a minimum of 15-20 rotations, ensuring that the mixture is chilled and does not develop bubbles in it. Do not stir vigorously to avoid unwanted dilution making the mixture cloudy instead of clear.

We’ve curated some stirred cocktails for you to check:

Aviation

The Godfather Cocktail

The Popinjay

BLEND

This method is similar to making a smoothie and creates a thick, smooth, and icy texture that is perfect for hot summer days. You will need to have a blender for this method to achieve the best result. 

The best way to achieve flavorful and smooth cocktails is to use frozen fruits to eliminate too much use of ice during blending. Use crushed ice for easier and faster blending, and start at the lowest speed going up to make sure all ingredients are chopped up and well blended together. If a recipe calls for a carbonated drink, add it at the end and blend the mixture in a pulse to avoid mess and losing that zing.

Some blended cocktails that you cant try are:

Blue Hawaiian Cocktail

Frozen Moscow Mule

Frosé

The techniques we use when making a cocktail can make or break the taste, texture, and overall quality of it. Whether it's shaken, stirred, or blended, each method has its unique benefits and downside if not performed properly.

With a little bit of imagination and experimentation with constant practice, anyone can definitely pick up the art of mixing drinks and concocting their own signature cocktails!

So, whether you're a seasoned bartender or a beginner mixologist, keep shaking, stirring, and blending until you find the perfect mix for every cocktail you desire!