Stirring

Stirring is a technique primarily used for drinks made up of clear ingredients, and is used to chill and thoroughly mix the cocktail whilst still retaining clarity. Despite James Bond's preference to his cocktail being 'shaken, not stirred', it is the perfect method for mixing Martinis.

To Stir and Strain

1. Half fill a Boston shaker or a mixing glass with ice cubes.
2. Add the ingredients.
3. Stir with a long-handled barspoon - about 15-20 rotations should be quite enough. Any more and you will cause the ice to melt, thus diluting the drink.
4. Place a hawthorn strainer over the top of the vessel and pour the liquid into a serving glass.

To Stir and Serve Unstrained

1. Add a glassful of ice to a cocktail shaker or mixing glass.
2. Pour in the ingredients.
3. Stir the mixture for about 15 seconds with a long-handled barspoon.
4. Pour the drink (plus ice) into the same size glass used to measure the ice. This will ensure that the contents of the shaker fill the glass neatly.