HOW TO MUDDLE A DRINK

WRITTEN BY: SCOTT VAN DORT

Muddling is a handy bartending skill that can make a big difference to the deliciousness of your cocktails. This simple technique helps unlock the flavors and aromas in fresh ingredients, transforming your drinks from ordinary to, well, extraordinary.

Learning how to muddle a cocktail will help you develop your overall bartending prowess, arming you with new ways to create tastier and more impressive drinks. And who doesn’t want that?

So, let’s get muddling, shall we?

What is Cocktail Muddling?

Put simply, muddling in cocktail making in the process of pummeling or mashing fruits and herbs to release their full essence using a bartending tool known as a muddler.

What is a Muddler?

A muddler is actually quite similar to a pestle. There are a couple of different types of muddlers – one that is made entirely of wood and another that is stainless steel with a rubber or hard plastic end. 

A muddler with rubber or plastic “teeth” allows for the most efficient muddling and uses all sides for grinding or mashing your ingredients. This style also features an ergonomic handle, making it more comfortable to use.

If you don’t have a muddler in your home bartending setup, you could use a small wooden rolling pin as long as it fits in your cocktail shaker or glass.

Why Do You Have to Muddle Cocktails?

Think of it this way – muddling is a great way to unlock the full potential of your fresh ingredients, making your cocktails more aromatic and delicious. 

Fruits like Berries, Watermelon, Lemons, and Limes are all perfect candidates for muddling. Their juicy nature and robust flavors make them ideal for muddling.

How to Muddle Cocktail Ingredients

Before you start muddling, pick the freshest, ripest ingredients you can find. The better the ingredients, the tastier your cocktail will be. It’s that simple.

After washing the fruits, cut them into small pieces or chunks. Now you’re ready for the fun part! Using your muddler, which works like a mortar and pestle, gently twist and press down on your ingredients in a repeated motion without applying too much force. This releases the juices and aromas, making your drink taste and smell amazing.

Muddling fruits is one thing, but muddling herbs is a whole other thing. When muddling herbs, be extra gentle. If you over-muddle herbs such as mint leaves, they can become unpleasantly bitter. 

We recommend adding Simple Syrup to your cocktail shaker or glass and muddling the herbs together with the Simple Syrup. This will make muddling much easier.

If you’re new to home bartending, don’t miss this article on how to make Simple Syrup.

What Drinks Require Muddling?

Alright, now that you know what muddling is and why bartenders do it, you’re probably wondering which cocktails you should muddle.

So, is it necessary to muddle all fruits when making cocktails? “It depends on how fresh the fruits are,” says Hedda Bruce, Award-Winning Bartender and Bar Manager. So, decide for yourself.

One cocktail that definitely benefits from muddling is the Pornstar Martini, which is made with Absolut Vanilia, Passion Fruit Purée, Vanilla Syrup, and Fresh muddled Pineapple. 

First, grab a slice of Pineapple. Make sure you only use the softer parts and remove the tough core. Use your muddler to smash up the Pineapple and release all the juices. This will also release complex proteins, adding body to your drink and helping to build that foamy head on top.

Once you’ve muddled, you can never go back. Believe us, muddled Pineapple will really make a difference to your Pornstar Martini.

Muddled Pineapple is sweet and delicious and will really make a difference to your Pornstar Martini.

Summer Cocktails to Muddle

Muddled fruits are a hit in summer cocktails, and one of the best examples is the Caipirinha. Made with just Crushed Ice, Cachaça (Brazilian Rum made from sugar cane juice), Simple Syrup, and Lime, muddling Lime Wedges with Simple Syrup takes this drink to a whole new level. Trust us, nothing smells better than the aroma of muddled Lime.

But when it comes to summer fruits, nothing beats Watermelon. It’s one of the easiest fruits to muddle. If you’re lounging outside or hosting a summer party, you’ve got to try the Watermelon Smash. Muddle Watermelon Wedges with Simple Syrup in a Cocktail Shaker before adding Crushed Ice, Vodka, and Lime Juice, and you’ve got yourself one juicy, summer cocktail.

If you’re like us and you just love Watermelon drinks, the Watermelon Spritz is one we’re sure you’ll love. It’s made with Watermelon-Flavored Vodka, Fresh Watermelon, Simple Syrup, and Sparkling Wine, garnished with a Sprig of Mint.

In the video below, you’ll see Award-Winning Bartender and Bar Manager, Hedda Bruce, muddle Watermelon Pieces with Simple Syrup before adding the rest of the ingredients. The final result is simply incredible. 

Berry Cocktails to Muddle

If you’re looking for a couple of great drinks to muddle with fresh berries, you’ll be hard-pressed (or rather, muddled!) to find a better drink than the Raspiroska. 

For this drink, muddle fresh Whole Raspberries together with Simple Syrup directly in a Rocks Glass, then add Absolut Raspberri (Raspberry-Flavored Vodka) and Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice. And voila! It’s berry-licious!

If you want to make a delicious mocktail with muddled Berries, try a Raspberry Spritzer. Like the Raspiroska, it muddles Fresh Whole Raspberries together with Simple Syrup, followed by Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice and Soda Water. 

Cocktails with Muddled Herbs

A great example of a cocktail with muddled herbs is the delicious Vodka Basil Smash (the name says it all, really!).

To make this drink, muddle Basil Leaves with Fresh Lemon Juice in a Cocktail Shaker to draw out that powerful fresh Basil taste, then add Simple Syrup, Vodka and Ice and shake. Double strain into a Rocks Glass filled with Ice and you’ve got a cocktail that your guests will be talking about for years.

When it comes to muddling drinks, many people wonder which cocktails to muddle with fresh Mint. Naturally, the first drink that comes to mind is the Mojito. 

However, despite popular opinion, Ricardo ‘Rico’ Dynan, Bartender and Absolut Global Brand Ambassador, recommends that you don’t muddle the Mint Leaves for a Mojito. You read it correctly – don’t muddle the Mint Leaves in your Mojito!

“As soon as you start to muddle Mint Leaves, you’re going to start getting bitterness from the chlorophyll – all the green that’s inside the leaves. All you need to do is give them a little slap and then get some Citrus Juice on them,” says Rico. 

But hey, if you still want to muddle the Mint Leaves in your Mojito, be very gentle when you’re muddling so that you don’t over-macerate the leaves.

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So, what’s it going to be then? A Pornstar Martini or a Caipirinha? A Watermelon Smash or a Vodka Basil Smash? Get muddling and have some fun!