Which Cocktails Do You Shake?

Stir cocktails made entirely of spirits, including bitters, such as a Negroni, or a classic James Bond-style gin and vermouth martini. The exception is a cocktail made with cream liqueurs, which should be shaken. Soda, tonic or sparkling wine cocktails should be stirred.

What cocktails should you shake?

Cocktails that should be shaken are ones that contain dairy, cream liqueurs, fruit juices, eggs, or sour mix. These drinks get a better balance of flavor and alcohol when there is more diluting involved.

Do you shake or stir cocktails?

Stir It. Relatively speaking, spirits are equal in density, so shaking is not necessary to properly combine them into a homogeneous solution. And whereas shaking aerates a cocktail, stirring preserves the spirits' silky texture and clarity.