LESSON 3: SHAKE AND STIR

Martinis

Let's move on to something a little more advanced. But don't worry. You will learn fast.

This lesson will give you the skills to mix Martinis. Some extra tools are needed. But in return you will soon master two bona fide drink classics: Absolut Cosmopolitan and Vodka Martini. Once you get the hang of the shake and stir technics no drink will be to complicated for you to mix and serve. Imperative when making this kind of drinks is to chill the martini glass properly before you pour any liquid into it. The reason for this is that martinis are strong and must be kept cold for as long as you drink it.

SHAKE

There are two types of shakers: the boston shaker and the cobbler shaker. They share the same function and it is merely a matter of taste which one to use. The boston shaker is more common in bars. This type of shaker requires an additional strainer. The advantage of the cobbler shaker is that it has a built in strainer. But for the rest of this lesson we will use the boston shaker.

Method: Shake – THE ABSOLUT COSMOPOLITAN

Ingredients: Ice cubes, Absolut vodka, Cranberry juice and Lime. Tools:  Boston shaker with strainer or a Cobbler shaker, martini glass, knife, cutting board.

Step by step instruction:

1. Chill a martini glass with ice or in the freezer
2. Add Absolut Vodka in the glass part of the shaker
3. Add a splash of dry vermouth
4. Fill the glass with icecubes
5. Apply the tin part on top of the glass
6. Shake until the outside surface of shaker is misty
7. Put the strainer on top of the shaker
8. Strain martini into the chilled martini glass

See our bartender mixing it

Other drinks mixed the same way

The variations are endless. See our bartenders mix a couple of other drinks with a shaker:

• ABSOLUT GINGER PEAR
• ABSOLUT APEACH MELBA

STIR

Most martinis are stirred not shaken. The reason for this is that you want to keep the beautiful transparency of the martini intact. When you shake a drink in order  to chill it, the drink will inevitably become non-transparent. This is just an effect of the laws of physics.

Judging by the Martini mythology you should go easy on the vermouth when making a Martini drink. Whether you want to keep your Martini dry by using very little vermouth or not is, however, a matter of personal taste. Regardless of the amount you choose to use, vermouth will add taste and clarity. Thus, you don't need be shy to experiment with the proportions between vodka and vermouth.

Method: Stir – VODKA MARTINI

Ingredients: Ice cubes, Absolut vodka, Dry Vermouth.
Tools:  A wide mixing glass, strainer, bar spoon (or a stick), martini glass, knife, cutting board. 

Step by step instruction:

1. Fill the mixing glass with ice.
2. Add Absolut Vodka.
3. Add a splash of dry vermouth
4. Use the spoon to gently stir the drink
5. Put the strainer on top of the mixing glass
6. Strain martini into the chilled martini glass
7. Garnish with an olive.

See our bartender mixing it

Other drinks mixed the same way

See our bartenders mix a couple of other stirred drinks:

• ABSOLUT GINGER PEAR