For someone who had been working all week, especially in a stressful work environment, one of the things that you probably look forward to more than anything is Friday night. The thought of going out with friends for a fun night after a long week at work sounds very rewarding, doesn’t it?
And of course, you definitely deserve some relaxation to replenish your energy and make sure you have enough for another busy week. But sometimes, a night out with friends may not be that appealing as usual and you end up just staying at home, relaxing on your own.
Or, you might be looking to hosting friends at your home. Mixing up cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks is easy if you have a cocktail shaker and the accompanying tools to mix your drinks.
You don’t have to have a mini bar at home for you to own a cocktail shaker. It can be very handy for whenever you have friends over at your place or even during the times when you just want to enjoy a refreshing cocktail.
How to Use a Cocktail Shaker Properly?
Cocktail shakers are widely used for a lot—if not all—cocktail recipes that you can possibly learn to make at home. Aside from being a very efficient tool in mixing your drinks, it’s also fun and entertaining to use. Shaking cocktails is considered as one of the most basic techniques in bartending, and it can be a cool hobby for you to try.
If you’re the type who frequent bars and pubs, you’ve probably seen a bartender in action and was impressed with how easy and gracefully they mix drinks using different tricks and cool moves. Well, that’s mostly theatrical. A way to entertain the customers while waiting for their drinks. At the same time, it adds a little fun to the shaking part.
But why do your cocktails need to be shaken?
Most of the liquors used in making cocktails don’t have the same consistency. It doesn’t mean they are not miscible; you just need to apply an external force to mix them properly. And while stirring may be OK, shaking allows a more thorough distribution of the drink’s ingredients. Aside from that, it gives the mixture a good chill and knocks its strength down, making it smoother as it travels through your mouth and down your throat.
Now that you understand why it’s necessary to shake the cocktail mixture, the next thing you need to know is what you need to mix your drinks properly.
Types of cocktail shakers
Basically, there are two common types of cocktail shakers: the three-piece standard cocktail shaker and the two-piece Boston shaker. The distinct characteristic that classifies the two is the built-in strainer which is only found in the standard shaker. A Boston shaker uses a separate strainer.
How to use a cocktail shaker
There’s really nothing special about shaking your drink. It’s just that–shaking. But if you want an end product that you’re 100% satisfied with, you have to learn how to properly shake your cocktail to get the best results. Here are some tips on how to shake your cocktails properly.
- Put the ice in the cocktail shaker first. It will pre-chill the shaker and cool the liquid as soon as you pour it in
- Don’t use too much ice and leave room for the ingredients. You shouldn’t overfill the shaker, especially if you’re using expensive liquor for mixing
- Consider the size of your shaker. If you are using a small one, just mix one drink at a time. It’s better than overfilling it and wasting your drink
- The more ingredients, the longer and harder you need to shake it. If you have several ingredients in a particular mixture, it needs some time to completely come together for a uniform taste
- You can tell when you’re done mixing when the cocktail shaker starts to frost
- Put a little force on your shaking. Consider it a fun way to workout
If you have a handbook included in the package, use it. Learn what you can about shaking your cocktails. You don’t have to be an expert like the bartenders you can see at your favorite bars, but it’s good to know if you’re doing it right or not.
