How to Properly Mix Drinks

Let's talk about how to mix drinks. After all, it's the primary skill we associate with bartenders right?

When most people think of bartending, they conjure up the image of a bartender elaborately shaking a metal canister before emptying the contents into a set of perfectly lined martini glasses. (Okay, at least that's the image I get). That's because we bartenders spend a good chunk of our time mixing and shaking drinks.

Drink mixing is done primarily as part of preparing the drink, but also adds a flare of entertainment for the paying customers.

So it often pays to perfect your pour and mixing techniques as a bartender because an entertained patron or guest usually leaves a larger tip.

Some may wonder why some drinks have to be shaken and others not.

Here's the scoop.

Most drinks containing milk, cream, and cocktail mix such as sour mix need to be shaken in order for the contents to mix evenly, thereby achieving their full flavorful potential.

In fact, some drinks such as Long Island Ice Teas or Midori Sours just won't taste the same without a little shaking. It's not just for show. It's practical.
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Practicality aside, there are also techniques and methods to shaking. After all, shaking is, in a way, a form of art, or as some call it, "flare."

As such, a bartender's technique should be executed with precise method and fluid style. Some patrons will deliberately order a shaken drink just to enjoy the fanfare of the bartender.

Now, each individual bartender will have his or her own style and method. There honestly is no right or wrong way when it comes to learning how to mix drinks. There are, however, a few basic guidelines that should be followed:

Fill the mixer with ice followed by the contents required for the drink.

Cap the mixer with a matching canister top or a pint glass. I prefer the pint glass - a metal shaker topped with a glass pint glass is called the Boston Shake ;)

Shake vigorously, off to the side or over your shoulder away from the patron to prevent a messy disaster should an accidental spillage occur.

Remove the cap or pint glass. When removing the pint glass, the glass might be adhered to the shaker.

Instead of trying to pry it open, what you do is tap the side of the shaker where the pint glass points out as indicated in the photo.

Give it a light tap with the heel of your hand, and voila the pint glass will come lose.

Check this video on how to shake a drink

Pour the contents of the mixer into the appropriate glasses

Add garnish and straw. Serve.

Again, these are just a few guidelines that should be followed when mixing or shaking a drink.

Each bartender will develop his or her unique style and flare over the course of bartending. But it doesn't hurt to use these guidelines.