Shaking typically implies combining ingredients with ice cubes in a cocktail shaker, then shaking firmly for 15-20 seconds.

The next step is usually to strain the liquid directly into the cocktail glass, making sure to keep any ice in the shaker.

Shaking the ingredients with the ice helps both reduce the temperature and dilute the drink according to precise guidelines. If you add too little ice in the shaker, there is a risk it will melt completely while you shake, which results in a watered-down cocktail.

To avoid this happening, a good rule of thumb is to fill your shaker with around two thirds of ice. To avoid the ice melting (and avoid having to fine strain the cocktail), it is usually best to use ice cubes rather than crushed ice.

Shakers come in a number of shapes and sizes, but the most common ones are the Standard Shaker (or ‘three-piece shaker’) and the Boston Shaker.

How to use a Standard Shaker

This version of the shaker is very easy to use thanks to its built-in strainer and cap, making it the easiest to use for anyone learning to make cocktails. The three-piece Standard Shaker is composed of a flat-bottomed base (or ‘can’) in which the liquids and ice are poured. A top is then added, featuring a built-in strainer. Finally, a cap helps ensure you don’t spill anything while shaking.

1 Pour all the ingredients in the can;

2 Fill the base with 2/3 ice cubes;

3Seal the shaker tight with the top and cap;

4Placing one hand on top and away from your guests, hold the base of the shaker and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds;

5Take off the cap. Securing the top with one finger, hold the base and pour the cocktail through the built-in strainer.

When buying this type of shaker, try to ensure it can contain at least one pint, to allow the ice to move more freely for a better overall mix. As a rule of thumb, you can tell a cocktail is properly shaken once you start seeing condensation on the steel base of the shaker.

How to use a Boston Shaker

This type of shaker takes a bit more getting used than the Standard Shaker, but is favoured by most experienced bartenders. It is comprised of two flat-bottomed bases, shaped like the base of the Standard Shaker. One base is larger than the other and is referred to as the ‘can’. The second base is often made of glass, allowing the bartender and the guests to see how the cocktail is being made.

The Boston Shaker is usually used with a strainer that features a coiled rim, known as a Hawthorne strainer.

2Fill the larger steel can with two thirds of ice;

4Gripping both bases firmly together, lift the shaker and turn it over, making sure the smaller base (or glass) is at the top and away from any guests. Shake briskly for 15-20 seconds just as before;

5Once your have finished shaking, hold the larger can firmly in one hand. With the heel of your other hand, tap the base can at the point where it meets with the smaller base (or glass). This ensures you break the seal between the two bases;

6Remove the smaller base (or glass) and place a Hawthorne strainer on top of the larger base. Holding the strainer with one finger, pour the cocktail into the cocktail glass, taking care not to allow any ice to fall out of the shaker.

If you are using a Boston Shaker that features a smaller glass base, it is generally recommended to keep the two bases together at all times. Working in a bar, it is easy to mistake the glass for a thinner version that could shatter when the two parts are sealed.