Shaken or Stirred?

“Vodka Martini, Shaken not Stirred”

That classic line everyone knows. However, not everyone knows that James Bond is partially responsible for a huge misconception in classic cocktail making. Believe it or not, ideally not all drinks should be shaken and not all drinks should be stirred. It really depends on what ingredients go into the drink.

James Bond can’t be blamed for everything. Prohibition also played a key role by changing peoples mentalities about drinking due to the change from high quality legal cocktails to bootlegged spirits made tolerable by cutting them with juices and sodas.

So how big is this misconception? Well in a recent mixology survey by Zagat, a whopping 70% of respondents said they preferred their drinks shaken, not stirred (source: Zagat Mixology Survey 2012). Given that Martinis and Manhattans are some of the most popular drinks out there, it’s likely that a large proportion of people are drinking these classics in a way that less optimally showcases the flavors these drinks have to offer.

As a disclaimer/qualifier, when it comes down to it, everything in crafting cocktails is about enjoying yourself and what you like. That being said, I would venture to guess that based on personal experiences, most folks are unlikely to have had a Martini, or many other drinks stirred and thus wouldn’t know if they prefer a drink prepared in this fashion.

Beyond being “hip” to have a drink “shaken, not stirred,” the results also likely reflects on the different reasons that people drink. Some people drink mainly for the effects of alcohol, opting for the most tolerable, least expensive option. Others drink for the taste and history of a good cocktail or liquor. Effect is secondary. As in most things, this is not black and white, but more of a spectrum with most falling somewhere in the middle with variations to either end based on situation and mood. Neither is right or wrong, but when drinking mainly for effect or for those who have never had a stirred drink, shaking versus stirring is likely a non consideration.

So why would you stir some drinks like a Martini but shake others, besides going beyond the whole personal preference thing? Shaking versus stirring is a somewhat different debate. Shaking is not Bud light and stirring is not Miller light. In fact, there is actually some science behind these two techniques, which can be applied and enjoyed in the right situations.

As a general rule, if there is juice, milk or egg in the drink, then it should be shaken. If not then stirring is the way to go. 

For more information and instructions on shaking and stirring, check out:

• The Shaken Cocktail
• The Stirred Cocktail