How to muddle a cocktail
Words by Simon Difford
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 also use a rolling pin. Just as you would use a pestle and mortar, push down on the muddler with a twisting action.
Only attempt to muddle in the base of a stainless steel shaker or suitably sturdy glass. Never attempt to muddle hard, unripe fruits in a glass as the pressure required is likely to break the glass. I've witnessed a bartender slash his hand open on a broken glass while muddling and can't over-emphasize how careful you should be.
