Stirred
Also known as: stir
A description indicating that the cocktail should be gently mixed with ice using a bar spoon to chill without aeration.
Stirred cocktails are gently mixed with ice using a bar spoon, chilling and diluting the drink while maintaining clarity and silky texture. This technique suits spirit-forward cocktails where elegance matters more than aeration. Stirring is the appropriate method for cocktails made entirely of spirits and liqueurs without citrus juice, dairy, or eggs. The Martini, Manhattan, Negroni, and Old Fashioned are all properly stirred. These drinks should be crystal clear, and shaking would create unwanted cloudiness. The stirring technique involves placing a bar spoon in a mixing glass filled with ice and ingredients, then rotating the spoon smoothly for 30 to 40 seconds. The spoon should move around the inside wall of the glass, not vigorously agitating the liquid. Proper stirring achieves controlled dilution and chilling without aerating the drink. Stirred cocktails gain about 15-20% dilution, less than shaken drinks. The texture remains silky and viscous rather than light and frothy. These qualities suit spirit-forward drinks perfectly. The mixing glass is the traditional vessel for stirring. Japanese-style mixing glasses with spouts allow precise pouring. Any heavy-bottomed glass vessel works. Avoid thin glass that might crack from temperature shock. The bar spoon design matters. A twisted shaft allows smooth rotation between fingers. The spoon end can measure small amounts. Some spoons have a disk or fork on the opposite end for muddling or garnishing. After stirring, strain the drink using a julep strainer, which sits inside the mixing glass. Alternatively, some bartenders use a Hawthorne strainer. Either way, the ice stays behind while the chilled, diluted cocktail flows into the serving glass. Stirring versus shaking is not arbitrary. Stirred drinks look different (clear versus cloudy), taste different (silky versus light), and have different dilution levels. Using the wrong technique compromises the cocktail. The question of how long to stir depends on desired dilution and chill. Thirty seconds produces a well-chilled drink with moderate dilution. Longer stirring adds more water. Taste as you learn to find your preference.
💡 Pro Tips
- Keep the spoon against the glass wall for smooth rotation
- 30-40 rotations is typically sufficient
- Use a julep strainer for pouring from the mixing glass
- Stir until the mixing glass feels very cold
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Stirring too vigorously and aerating the drink
- Not stirring long enough for proper chill
- Using stirring for drinks with citrus or dairy
- Forgetting to chill the serving glass
