For those craft gin lovers out there, there is nothing more refreshing than sipping a cool cocktail made with one of those extremely flavoursome and aromatic beverages to keep you cool during the hot summer months. Some favourites for making cocktails and mixes are brands such as Old Bakery Gin or The Lakes Gin.
If you are trying to make your own cocktails at home, then one important aspect you need to learn is the difference between shaken and stirred cocktails. Usually when a cocktail contains a dairy product or cream or other juices, then it should be shaken, and includes such cocktails as the Daiquiri, Margarita, Cosmopolitan etc, while stirred cocktails include the Rob Roy, Negroni, Manhattan and other similar drinks.
When you shake a cocktail, it:
Aerates the ice.
Mixes the ingredients.
Dilutes the drink.
Chills the drink.
Adds a foamy top layer for those drinks that contain egg whites or dairy.
When you intend making a shaken beverage, then one piece of equipment you will definitely need for this is a cocktail shaker. It should be remembered that there are cocktail shakers of varying type sand sizes and the ultimate flavour of your drink will depend on what kind of shaker you choose. Bartenders have many different ways in which they shake a drink, depending on the drink and its ingredients.
This little piece of equipment seems to have a long history though, with known use of such tools being found in ancient Egypt and South America. The modern-day cocktail shaker was born around the 19th century where two containers were used together to mix drinks, and later converted into the cocktail shaker we know and recognise today.
Using a cocktail shaker is not rocket science, and anyone can do it. Here are some easy steps to follow if you are thinking of making your own summer shaken cocktails at home:
Muddle your drink if the ingredients require it. Usually cocktails such as Mojitos should be muddled.
Measure your ingredients on top of the already muddled ingredients, or in a new shaker. Measuring of the liquid ingredients is usually done using a jigger.
If your cocktail includes dairy or egg whites then you should do a dry shake first, which means it should not include ice.
Add ice to your drink and shake it.
Strain your drink into a glass.
If the cocktail calls for a fizzy ingredient such as club soda, then add it last and mix it gently with a bar spoon.
While stirred drinks don’t really require you to shake them vigorously, you can still use a cocktail shaker to make them. Simply follow the four easy steps given below:
Measure your ingredients.
Add the required amount of ice.
Stir using a bar spoon.
Strain the drink
Different drinks will require different types of shakers and there are several types which bartender usually use. If you are looking to create your own home-bar, then it would be good to have at least one or two of the following types:
Cobbler Shaker – This is one of the most common types used and is very easy to handle and ideal for beginners. It is kind of like an all-in-one shaker because it consists of the tumbler, the lid with a strainer and a strainer cap. Some disadvantages of this type is that it tends to get stuck, is very slow to make the drink and there are many parts to it to clean up later on.
Boston Shaker – The Boston Shaker comes with two pieces and is usually used by bartenders. Using this type of shaker is a bit more complicated, and may require a little more experience and practice. However, this type is very easy to clean and helps you mix the drinks faster.
The French Shaker – This type of shaker is a combination between the Cobbler and the Boston, and comes in two parts, i.e., the tumbler and the lid. It does not contain a strainer. This French Shaker is also ideal for beginners, and is very easy to clean. It is also very stylish, yet simple in design. Its disadvantages are that this type of shaker is really hard to find and even if you do get hold of one, it can be quite expensive.
In addition to a good cocktail shaker or two, you should stock up your home bar with some exquisite craft gin brands. You can get home booze delivery in London of your favourite brands, through the many online stores that have started up, making the task of purchasing these easy and convenient.
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