Barsys

The key to making a great cocktail involves more than just using quality ingredients and proper measurements. It also needs proper chilling and dilution.

While its not listed directly in the ingredients of a cocktail recipe, water is an essential ingredient in every mixed cocktail. No, were not saying youre supposed to add water straight to your beverage, but you will inevitably incorporate it during the chilling portion of your drink making.

Bar experts know water is vital in the making of a proper cocktail. Stirring a cocktail can be considered an extra ingredient for a drink, says Valentino Longo, co-owner of ViceVersa, a Miami bar that currently holds the #56th best bar ranking in North America according to Worlds 50Best. Not only is it needed to achieve the perfect temperature, but also helps the right density between ingredients.

Some may argue that shaking is a more efficient way to chill and dilute a drink, simply because the ice rattles around more violently in the shaker and therefore breaks down more quickly, releasing its water into the drink, but its not the right way to dilute all drinks for more delicate, boozy drinks, this process happens by simply stirring the cocktail over ice.

When a drink is being stirred correctly you can see the density of the drink changing from watery to almost oily texture, explains Longo. Obviously not all cocktails can be stirred. Sometimes you need shaking to achieve the same results, especially when youre looking to give an extra dilution to your drink and help mixing more difficult ingredients.

If youre looking for a quick cheat code when it comes to whether a cocktail should be shaken or stirred, here are some things to keep in mind:

  • You shake any drink that contains juice, dairy, or eggs. These are ingredients that benefit from the foam thats created during the shaking process. They also give the beverage a better mouthfeel.
  • You stir any drink thats made entirely with spirits. Think boozy cocktails like a martini, manhattan, and of course, the Negroni.
    In order to properly stir your Negroni, youll need a mixing glass and a bar spoon.

How To Stir A Negroni

Step one: In a mixing glass, add your ice.

Step two: Build the Negroni over the ice using equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari.

Step three: Place your spoon between your thumb and your first two fingers of your dominant hand. Keeping your arm still, youll use only your wrist and fingers to complete this motion. Use your wrist to swirl the spoon around the edges of the glass while simultaneously twirling the shaft of the spoon in your fingers this can best be described by using your index finger to pull it toward you and your middle fingers to spin it back around. This swift movement will cause the ice and the liquid in the glass to mix effortlessly. Continue stirring for about 45 seconds.

Step four: Strain your Negroni into a chilled rocks glass (ideal with one large ice cube) and garnish with an orange peel. Enjoy!