Technique
Muddle
Also known as: muddled, mashed
A cocktail technique of gently pressing fruits, herbs, or sugar in the bottom of a glass or shaker to release their flavors, juices, and aromatic oils.
Muddling extracts essential oils from herbs like mint and basil, releases juices from fruits like lime and berries, and helps dissolve sugar for drinks like the Old Fashioned. The key is using appropriate pressure - gentle pressing and twisting for herbs (to avoid bitter chlorophyll), more vigorous pressing for fruits. This technique is fundamental to classics like the Mojito, Caipirinha, and Old Fashioned.
💡 Pro Tips
- Press and twist gently for herbs - never shred them
- More pressure is appropriate for citrus and fruit
- A few firm presses is usually sufficient
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Over-muddling mint until it becomes bitter and dark
- Not muddling sugar enough to dissolve
- Using a muddler with rough textures on herbs
