Shake Like a Pro – Learn the Techniques Behind Great Cocktails & Confident Flair
Welcome to the very first post in The Shaking & Mixing Guide — your go-to series for mastering cocktail techniques, shaking styles, and even a few bartender flair tricks along the way.
Shaken vs Stirred: What’s the Difference?
We're starting with a classic debate in the world of mixology: shaken or stirred? It's a question every cocktail lover encounters, whether you're mixing at home or behind a bar. Understanding when to shake and when to stir is one of the first steps to making consistently great drinks.
To help us kick things off, we’ve teamed up with one of the UK’s most dynamic bartending talents: @inkedoz — a professional bartender trainer, flair artist, and overall cocktail wizard. Oz specialises in teaching bartending skills across all levels, from clean shakes to theatrical flair, and his signature style brings technique and performance together in perfect balance.
In this introductory video, Oz demonstrates both shaking and stirring in action — no words, just smooth moves and simple text overlays to explain the purpose behind each method. It’s the perfect visual primer for beginners and enthusiasts alike.
Shaken Cocktails: When & Why to Shake
When do you shake a cocktail?
You shake when your drink contains ingredients that need proper mixing, aeration, and dilution. Think citrus juice, dairy, egg whites, or sugar syrups — these don't blend smoothly by simply stirring.
Why shake?
Shaking with ice rapidly chills the drink, breaks down ingredients, and incorporates air, giving your cocktail a frothy, lively texture.
Shaking helps to:
- Fully integrate varied ingredients
- Add air for a light, silky mouthfeel
- Dilute and chill quickly for balance and freshness
Popular shaken cocktails:
- Margarita
- Daiquiri
- Whiskey Sour
- Clover Club
- Espresso Martini
Stirred Cocktails: When & Why to Stir
When do you stir a cocktail?
Stirring is best suited for spirit-forward drinks that contain only liquors and liqueurs – no juices, dairy, or eggs. The goal is to chill and mix without disturbing the clarity or texture.
Why stir?
It’s a gentler technique that cools the drink while preserving a silky, smooth texture. Stirring avoids froth or cloudiness and maintains that beautiful translucence.
Stirring helps to:
- Maintain clarity and elegance
- Minimise air and foam
- Achieve a smooth, balanced blend
Popular stirred cocktails:
- Martini
- Manhattan
- Negroni
- Old Fashioned
- Boulevardier
Watch the Video – Technique in Motion
In this short visual guide, Oz (@inkedoz) shows both shaking and stirring techniques, side by side. You’ll see how each method affects the drink’s texture, clarity, and overall presentation — all through movement, rhythm, and style.
This isn’t a how-to just yet — we’ll cover how to shake a cocktail properly, how to stir like a pro, and even how to throw a shaker in future guides. For now, it’s all about building your foundation and understanding the why behind these two essential cocktail techniques.
Follow @inkedoz on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube for more flair bartending inspiration and behind-the-scenes looks at cocktail training in action.
Stay tuned for the next guide – and get ready to shake, stir, and seriously upgrade your mixology game.