How to Use a Martini Shaker

Martini shakers can be used to create many different drinks, including the infamous martini.

Martini shakers are used, as the name would imply, to make shaken martinis. What the name does not convey, however, is the fact that martini shakers are useful in creating a whole host of other cocktails, with alcohol or without. From lemon drops to appletinis, frozen margaritas to cosmopolitans, the martini shaker can lend a helping hand. Unfortunately, many people simply don't know how to use a martini shaker. Here you will learn how to use this handy barware.

Instructions

1. Fill the martini shaker three-quarters full of ice. If you fill it too far, there won't be room for the ingredients to "shake" during the shaking process; iIf you don't fill it enough, the ingredients won't get thoroughly chilled and the drink may become too watered down (the ice will melt faster at a lower temperature and water the drink down instead of chilling it).

2. Pour your ingredients into the martini shaker. Once again, make sure that the end result doesn't fill the shaker and more than three-quarters of the way full.

3. Secure the martini shaker's lid firmly on top and test it to make sure that it's nice and snug.

4. Hold the martini shaker at both ends, with one hand holding the lid end firmly down and the other hand holding the bottom of the shaker and providing upward force. This will keep the shaker's lid from coming off while you're mixing the drink, and prevent the drink ingredients and ice from spraying everywhere.

5. Shake the martini mixer vigorously for 30 seconds. This will make sure that the mixture inside is fully integrated and chilled while also introducing some very small ice chips into the drink to help keep it cold in the glass.

6. Remove the lid of the martini shaker carefully and then strain the drink mix out into its intended glass.

7. Serve chilled drinks immediately for best results.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use a martini shaker to chill the ingredient of a frozen drink before they go into the blender. This will keep the ice in the blender from melting quickly and provide a much better frozen quality to your finished beverage.