Stirred, Not Shaken? Why it’s Good to Get a Mixing Glass for Stirring Cocktails

by | Jan 23, 2024 | Cocktail Tools & Accessories

Our team at Fifth & Vermouth enjoys showing off new techniques and processes and the reasons behind how they can make your cocktails better. Today’s topic, talking about shaking a cocktail vs. stirring a cocktail is a very common question that has been asked over the years. You may have heard the phrase “shaken, not stirred,” as a classic phrase said by the famous James Bond. What preference is he referring to? What changes when you shake a cocktail vs stirring a cocktail? Today, we break down those differences.

The Age-Old Question: Shaken or Stirred?

When it comes to shaking a cocktail, the main benefit that comes from shaking is aeration. When you shake a cocktail, the ice violently shakes inside the shaker which ends up adding little air bubbles in the liquid. This creates a bit of a cloudy effect. On top of that, it ends up chilling the cocktail rapidly and adding a slight dilution. This can also be seen with stirring cocktails. You will see this in cocktails like Margaritas, Daiquiris, Cosmopolitans, and usually sour drinks like the Whiskey Sour. A general rule of thumb that many cocktail enthusiasts have agreed on is that if there is juice added to a cocktail, you should shake it.

Stirring cocktails is as simple as it sounds. When you stir the cocktail, it dilutes the cocktail but doesn’t change the overall texture of the cocktail. Some examples of when you should stir a cocktail vs shaking it are in cocktails like Manhattans, Martinis, and Negronis. When they are almost entirely made of spirits, this is where the stirring effect will be the best impact.

Mixing Glasses That Make Presentation and Process Efficient are Available at Fifth & Vermouth

Fifth and Vermouth has three different types of mixing glasses available. The first one is a Stemmed Mixing Glass which was beautifully hand-blown crystal. This glass can hold 800 mL of the cocktail mixture and is definitely an item that we recommend hand washing. With the easy pour spout on the top of the mixing glass, it makes it very easy to pour your cocktail into one of our glasses for a great time with family and friends.

The second and third mixing glasses are the Professional Series Mixing Glass and our Etched Mixing Glass. The professional series mixing glass is a workhorse for bartenders and bar collectors alike. This mixing glass holds 650mL, so you won’t have to change out glasses for higher-volume cocktails. Made with crystal glass, this mixing glass is meant for long time use and can stand up to the rigors of a professional bar that consistently is stirring cocktails.

The third mixing glass is the etched mixing glass. This mixing glass is great for its aesthetic. People will be impressed when you pull this mixing glass out of your bar cart. Made to hold 650mL of the mixture, this is a hand-blown crystal glass that will impress anyone who is watching you stir or muddle a mixture before pouring it into a cocktail glass. With the strong bottom base, you won’t ever have to worry about mixing vigorously and accidentally spilling your cocktail.

If you are a cocktail lover who enjoys creating exciting drinks for friends and family, check out the rest of our bar tool collection online! You won’t be disappointed.