FOOD NEWS
Should A Martini Be Shaken Or Stirred?
By Carly Weaver
As a martini comes with specifications that include dry or wet, vodka or gin, or black olives as a garnish versus a lemon twist, there are no written rules on ordering one. Some simply prefer the aerated, ice-chipped martini that shaking produces, but many believe one choice stands above the other.
Many bartenders abide by an unwritten rule that cocktails made with only alcohol-based ingredients, such as a traditional martini, are meant to be stirred to keep the drink silky and smooth, making the drink cohesive without messing up the texture of the spirits. Many believe that shaking a martini with ice dilutes and changes its flavor, and some even say that shaking bruises the gin, making it more bitter.
Stirring aims to reach a specific level of chill versus dilution, and some factors can mess up that consistency, like the time spent stirring and the type of ice or glass used. Simply Recipes recommends filling your mixing glass halfway with ice and stirring "smoothly and quickly," experimenting with 15-, 20-, and 30-second stirs to find your ideal martini temperature and taste before straining into a pre-chilled martini glass.