Basic cocktail-making techniques

How to measure cocktail ingredients

Achieving balance between each ingredient is critical to the deliciousness of a finished cocktail. To achieve the perfect balance you need a good recipe

How to stir a cocktail

Stirring is the most basic way of mixing a cocktail. You might not give much thought to a technique used to stir a cup of tea or even a pot of paint, but

How to use a two-piece cocktail shaker

Also known as a Boston or French Shaker, two-piece shakers tend to be preferred by professional bartenders (Japanese and other East Asian bartenders excepted).

How to use a three-piece cocktail shaker

Three-piece shakers are also called ‘Standard' or 'Cobbler' shakers, they comprise of three sections: 1) Flat-bottomed, conical base or 'can' 2) Built-in

How to strain a cocktail

When straining a shaken drink, a Hawthorn strainer tends to be used, but when straining a stirred drink it is traditional to use a Julep strainer. Both

How to Dry Shake

When making drinks containing cream and eggs it is common practice to first shake the mixture without ice, before shaking the drink a second time with

How to blend cocktails

When a cocktail recipe calls for you to 'blend with ice', place all ingredients and ice into a blender and blend until a smooth, even consistency is achieved.

How to muddle a cocktail

Muddling means pummelling fruits, herbs, and/or spices with a muddler (a blunt tool similar to a pestle) to crush them and release their flavour. You can

How to fine strain (double strain) cocktails

Most cocktails that are shaken and served 'straight-up' (without ice) benefit from an additional 'fine' or 'double' strain in addition to the standard

How to roll or tumble cocktails

Not to be confused with the 'Cuban Roll' which refers to the rolling motion employed by perficient practitioners of the throwing mixing method, 'rolling'

How to layer cocktails

As the name suggests, layered drinks include layers of different ingredients, often with contrasting colours. This effect is achieved by carefully pouring

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