Cocktail Shaker

A cocktail shaker is a device used to mix beverages (usually alcoholic) by shaking. When ice is put in the shaker this allows for a quicker cooling of the drink before serving.

A shaken cocktail is made by putting the desired ingredients (typically fruit juices, syrups, liqueurs and ice cubes) in the cocktail shaker. Then it is shaken heavily for a while, ranging from 5 seconds to 10 seconds, depending on the taste desired. Drinks that are meant to be clear should be stirred and not shaken, as this will result in the drink becoming cloudy.

There are three varieties of cocktail shakers:

• The Boston Shaker: A two-piece shaker consiting of a metal bottom and glass or plastic mixing bowl. A separate strainer is required for this type shaker if crushed ice is used.
• The Cobbler Shaker: A three-piece cocktail shaker that has tapers at the top and ends with a built-in strainer and includes a cap. The cap can often be used as a measure for spirits or other liquids.
• The French Shaker: A two-piece shaker consisting of a metal bottom and a metal cap. It is the least widely known of the three types of shakers. A strainer is always required for this type of shaker.

A must-have for Martinis!

Hard to get

1 part vodka  

1 part white rum  

1 part malibu  

1 part Peach Vodka  

1 part tequila  

1 part Bacardi 151  

To taste Coca-Cola  

Squeeze lemon juice 

Mix all hard liquor together. You can make the parts as much or little as you want to make a glass or a whole pitcher. Add Cola to taste (I make it about half and half 'cause I like my drinks strong.) Top with lemon juice. 

Vodka Martini - "Shaken, not stirred"

1 1/2 oz vodka

dash dry vermouth

Combine ingredients with cracked ice in a shaker. Shake well. Strain and serve in a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an olive.

History: In the movies, James Bond was a hard-core vodka martini drinker who prefered his cocktail "shaken, not stirred." Due to his popularity, the cocktail was the hottest drink of the 1960s. However, we believe his fondness for vodka was due in large part because Smirnoff bought the product placement rights in the films. Before the movie series almost all martinis were made exclusively with gin.

1940s Pineapple Cooler - my best cocktail

1/2 tsp powdered sugar
2 oz carbonated water
2 oz dry white wine
fill carbonated water or ginger ale
cracked ice
orange or lemon peel spiral

Into 12 ounce glass put powdered sugar and 2 ounces carbonated water. Stir. Fill glass with cracked ice and add dry white wine. Fill with carbonated water or ginger ale. Insert spiral of orange or lemon peel (or both) and dangle end over rim of glass.(Makes one 12 ounce serving.)

Definition of Cocktail

A cocktail is a style of mixed drink. Originally a mixture of distilled spirits, sugar, water and bitters, the word has gradually come to mean almost any mixed drink containing alcohol. A cocktail today usually contains one or more types of liquor and flavorings and one or more liqueurs, fruit juices, sugar, honey, water, ice, soda, milk, cream, herbs, bitters, etc.

Cocktails are made with gin, whiskey, rum, tequila, brandy, or vodka. Many cocktails traditionally made with gin, such as thegimlet, or the martini, or Tom Collins are now made with vodka.