Six moves. Every drink.
Almost every cocktail ever made comes down to one of these. Learn them once and you can make anything.
The shake
For anything with citrus, egg white or cream.
- Fill the shaker with ice.
- Add everything, seal it tight.
- Shake hard for 10 to 15 seconds, harder than feels polite.
- Strain into your glass.
The stir
For spirit-only drinks like a Martini or Manhattan, where you want it cold and clear.
- Add the drink to a mixing glass.
- Fill with ice, about three-quarters full.
- Stir smoothly for 30 seconds or so.
- Strain into a cold glass.
The muddle
For pulling flavor out of mint, fruit and herbs.
- Put the ingredient in the base of the glass.
- Press and twist gently.
- Stop before the herbs tear, or it turns bitter.
- Add the liquid and ice.
The build
For highballs and anything poured straight into the glass.
- Fill the glass with ice.
- Pour in the spirit first.
- Top with the mixer.
- Give it one gentle stir.
The float
For layered drinks and shots.
- Pour the heaviest liquid first.
- Hold a spoon upside down just above the surface.
- Pour slowly over the back of the spoon.
- Repeat with each lighter layer.
The dry shake
For a proper foam on egg white sours.
- Shake everything without ice first.
- Add ice and shake again.
- Strain through a fine sieve as well.
- Let the foam settle for a few seconds.