Shaking: Not every cocktail requires shaking, but if it does, make sure to shake really well. That is, try not to hold back, as there is a good logic behind this step: It introduces extra oxygen bubbles into a mixture, making for a nice, frothy drink. This works especially well for drinks that contain fruit juices or egg.
Stirring: Cocktails that don’t require shaking usually call for stirring. It’s a much lighter, subtler step, requiring you to just mix enough to make sure that the liquors are well-blended. A rapid 30-second stirring with the use of a long bar spoon is key.
Muddling: Classic cocktails like mojitos get their signature taste thanks to this step. All it requires is a good muddler and a bit of elbow grease. The procedure is simple enough: Place the ingredients (herbs are typically used in this step) that you’ll be muddling into a glass, and then proceed to crush them with your muddler until they’ve released their essential oils.
