the three drinkers cocktails

What's The Difference Between Wet Shaking and Dry Shaking Cocktails?

what's the difference between wet shaking and dry shaking the three drinkers

Whether you're behind the bar or just shaking things up at home, knowing how to shake a cocktail properly is key to nailing that perfect blend. But what's with all the talk about wet shaking and dry shaking? It’s all liquid isn’t it? Don’t worry if you’re a bit confused – we’ve got the lowdown on these essential techniques, why they matter more than you might think, and how to use them to customise your cocktails.

What is a Wet Shake and What is a Dry Shake?

A wet shake is your classic cocktail shake, where you toss in some ice with your ingredients, giving them a good chill while mixing them all together. This technique dilutes and cools your drink – perfect for a crisp, refreshing sip. Most wet shakes should take less than 20 seconds to avoid ‘overshaking’.

A dry shake, on the other hand, involves shaking your cocktail without ice. This is usually done when you're working with egg whites or aquafaba (the liquid from chickpeas) to create a lovely frothy head because emulsification and aeration are better at room temperature. Think cocktails like the classic Whisky Sour or a Ramos Gin Fizz – the dry shake ensures your froth is light and velvety before you wet shake it to cool things down. This method takes slightly longer than wet shaking, usually at least 30 seconds to really work the ingredients through and give the texture time to develop.

Are there other types of cocktail shaking?

what's the difference between wet shaking and dry shaking the three drinkers

Yes! Beyond the wet and dry shake, there’s the reverse dry shake. This is where you shake with ice first, strain the ice out, and then shake again without it… but with the egg white included. The result? An even fluffier foam!  There’s no need to strain after that final shake, so all that glorious velvety foam goes into the glass.

Half of mixology is, of course, about the show, so it makes sense that are many variations of shakes. For example, the hard shake, invented by Japanese bartender Kazuo Ueda, is a wet shake that uses highly stylised gentle shaking to give greater control over the shaker.

Then there’s the double shake – a two-step process designed for more complex cocktails where you can shake two shakers at one time.

Essentially though, wet and dry are the two categories – with and without ice.

Why whether you wet or dry shake your cocktail matters

Shaking your cocktail isn’t just about looking cool (although that’s a nice bonus). It directly affects the drink’s texture and taste. Firstly, whatever you shake, its fundamental purpose is to combine ingredients. A cocktail, in most cases, should be homogenous, with one enjoyable liquid rather than out of balance hits of the individual components.

Wet shaking chills and dilutes your cocktail, creating a perfectly balanced drink that’s refreshing.

Dry shaking, meanwhile, helps to aerate the mixture, giving cocktails that silky, frothy texture. It can also reduce bitterness and increase sweetness, did you know?

Whether you're using one or the other, the method plays a big role in how your drink feels on the palate. By varying the duration of your shakes and their styles, you can control the aeration, dilution and temperature of your cocktails – which has a huge impact.

An example of a wet shake cocktail

Daiquiri

what's the difference between wet shaking and dry shaking the three drinkers

Almost all cocktails require wet shakes so you could use many examples, but the Daiquiri is a classic, combining sweet and tart flavours with refreshing ice. Some bars have ruined the Daiquiri if you ask us, turning it into a sugary slush puppy, but if you make sure your ice isn’t blended or too broken up, and you go easy on the syrup, it’s a winner.

Ingredients:
50ml white rum
25ml lime juice
15ml simple syrup
Lime twist (garnish)

Method:
Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice. Shake for 10-15 seconds until well-chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe glass. As a top tip, take a look at your ice cubes once strained – they should be curved at the edges, rather than totally shattered.

An example of a dry shake cocktail

Whisky Sour

what's the difference between wet shaking and dry shaking the three drinkers

Sours, with their use of egg white, are the best example of dry shaking; the most famous of which is surely the Whisky Sour. With vanilla, caramel and rich fruits from the whisky, the vivid sour lemon freshness, some sweetness for balance and frothy egg white, it’s a luxurious and sophisticated serve.

Ingredients:
50ml bourbon
30ml lemon juice
15ml simple syrup
Dash of Angostura bitters (optional)
1 egg white
Cherry or lemon (garnish)

Method:
First, dry shake all ingredients (without ice) for 30 seconds to froth the egg white. Add ice, shake again, and strain into a glass. Top with a dash of bitters for added complexity and aesthetics.

If you’re really getting into your cocktail making, then check out our home bar essentials guide here.

What Are The Easiest Cocktails To Make Without A Shaker?

what are the easiest cocktails to make without a shaker? the three drinkers

Itching for a cocktail but find yourself without a shaker? Fear not. Yes, most cocktails require a good shake, but there are many delicious options that only need a stir. The general rule is that if there’s no citrus in the cocktail, and the ingredients are of a similar viscosity, you can probably build it (in the glass) or stir in a mixing glass before serving. We’ve got recipes below for whatever spirit you love, so let’s dive into some beautiful and very easy-to-make cocktails using the full range of spirits.

Negroni – for the gin lovers

what are the easiest cocktails to make without a shaker? the three drinkers

Possibly the most famous stirred cocktail is the classic Negroni. The three components are of similar density, so stirring is plenty enough to properly combine them together. It’s very simple to make with equal measurements for gin, sweet vermouth and Campari making a moreish blend of boozy bitterness. And the best thing about nailing the Negroni, is that there are so many variations like the White Negroni, Negroni Sbagliato etc. Try more here!

Ingredients
25ml gin
25ml sweet vermouth
25ml Campari
Orange slice (garnish)

Method
Add all the ingredients to a mixing glass and fill it with ice. Stir for 20 seconds until everything is thoroughly blended and chilled. Strain into a rocks glass. Add more large ice cubes and garnish with a slice of orange.

Vodka Martini – for the vodka lovers

vodka martini what are the easiest cocktails to make without a shaker? the three drinkers

That’s right, whilst Bond orders his Martinis shaken not stirred, most bartenders usually stick to stirring. Sorry 007! Bond’s order is actually a Vesper Martini, which includes gin and vodka and can also be made without a shaker, but we’re sticking with a classic Vodka Martini today. The only citrus is with the garnish (unless you take it in a more savoury direction with the olive), so a good stir is absolutely fine. Make sure you use a good vodka for this one.

Ingredients
60ml vodka
1tbsp dry vermouth
Olive or lemon for garnish

 Method
Stir together the vodka and vermouth in a mixing glass with ice, before straining into a chilled Martini glass. Finish with lemon for a touch of aromatic citrus, or olive for some savoury saltiness.

Bellini – for the sparkling wine lovers

bellini what are the easiest cocktails to make without a shaker? the three drinkers

This classy serve doesn’t need a shaker. In fact, a shaker would pretty much destroy all the bubbles. Like any sparkling wine cocktail, stirring is the way to go. It’s so elegant for how simple it is to pull together. Just combine good Prosecco with peach purée and get sucked in by the warm hues. In fact, the Venetian bartender who first made this was so awestruck by the colouring that he named it after painter Giovanni Bellini, who used the same colours often.

Ingredients
60ml peach purée
160ml Prosecco
Peach slice (garnish)

Method
Peach purée is widely available, but if not, you just need to blend peeled peaches and refrigerate. Strain them into a flute and top up with Prosecco, before a good stir. Use a leftover peach slice for garnish!

Aperol Spritz – for the aperitif lovers

aperol spritz what are the easiest cocktails to make without a shaker? the three drinkers

The most famous rendition of the Aperitivo Spritz formula, this is now one of the most popular cocktails in Europe, but you can use many different aperitifs. Select, Lillet Blanc, Vermouth, Campari – whatever you like. Combined with a sparkling wine (usually Prosecco or Champagne) and sparkling water, it’s one of, if not the most refreshing cocktail you can make. With Aperol, it’s a glorious taste of summer, with both bitter and sweet citrus and subtle herbs intertwining with the light, fruitiness of Prosecco.

Ingredients
50ml Aperol
75ml Prosecco
Soda water to top up

Method
Pour Aperol over a handful of ice cubes, and add Prosecco. Top up with soda, stir gently to keep the fizz and then garnish with a slice of orange! Voilà!

Old Fashioned – for the whiskey lovers

old fashioned what are the easiest cocktails to make without a shaker? the three drinkers

This just had to be included. There are so many twists and riffs on it, so you can make maple or honey versions, or use rum which is a modern classic all of its own. Bourbon is the most popular choice, but rye whiskey works great too. You just need to make sure that the sugar is muddled and mixed well enough to dissolve, and the rest is easy.

Ingredients
50ml bourbon
Brown sugar cube
Splash of water
2 drops of Angostura bitters
Twist of orange to garnish

Method
Muddle (with the back of a spoon for example) sugar, water, and some orange peel. Fill the glass with ice, before gradually adding your chosen whisky and stirring. Orange twist to finish. Simple excellence.

Cuba Libre – for the rum lovers

cuba libre what are the easiest cocktails to make without a shaker? the three drinkers

Famously easy to make, this is a perfect example of a ‘Highball’, and they are the simplest of non-shaken cocktails. They’re simply a spirit with a mixer, and occasionally a few extra touches like bitters and garnishes. You might not even think of them as cocktails, but they are! The Cuba Libre is a taste of Central America, with syrupy sweet cola complementing the caramel of the rum, all tamed by fresh lime.

Ingredients
60ml rum (any rum works)
120ml cola
2 lime wedges

Method
Fill your highball glass with ice first, add your measure of rum and top up with quality cola. Squeeze one lime wedge and submerge it, before garnishing with the other one. No shaking required.

Tequila Sunrise – for the tequila lovers

tequila sunrise what are the easiest cocktails to make without a shaker? the three drinkers

Well, none of these contain any shaking, but how about no stirring either!? The Grenadine added here is what paints this cocktail with such seductive colouring, but only if left to settle. Before that point, it’s simply orange juice (experiment with fresh if you can – it makes all the difference) and tequila, ideally blanco. The vegetal heat of the tequila is lifted by the sunny sweetness of the orange and tart Grenadine. Sunny, super fruity and intense – vamos!

Ingredients
100ml orange juice
50ml blanco tequila
30ml grenadine
Maraschino cherry and orange wheel for garnish

Method
Fill your glass with ice first and add in your OJ. If it’s freshly squeezed, you’ll want to strain. Next up, the tequila, before a gentle pour of grenadine. Sit back and enjoy the ombre of your creation until you can resist no longer. Garnish with a cherry and orange twist and sip away!

Chilcano – for the pisco lovers

chilcano what are the easiest cocktails to make without a shaker? the three drinkers

There’s some real classics above, but how about something a touch different. This is essentially a Highball, but with bitters and lime juice adding some complexity. The star of the show is Pisco, an underused spirit claimed by both Peru and Chile. It brings a lot of fruit, particularly grapes and citrus, as well as floral and vanilla notes. It’s one of the oldest Pisco cocktails, combining the zip of lime, the fizzy warmth of ginger ale, the herbal complexity of bitters and the distinct whack of Pisco beautifully.

Ingredients
60ml pisco
20ml lime juice
2 drops Angostura bitters
Ginger ale to top up
Lime wedge for garnish

Method
Fill your highball glass with ice and add pisco, lime juice and ginger ale to the top before a couple of drops of bitters. Make it pretty with a fresh lime twist and that is one impressive but simple cocktail.

If you’ve absolutely got your heart set on a shaken cocktail but don’t have time to get a shaker, then there are a few options – just look around you! We’ve got five alternatives to a cocktail shaker here!

5 Ready to Drink Cocktails To Share With Your Bestie

5 ready to drink cocktails to share with your bestie the three drinkers

Sharing is caring so they say and indeed that's what the best friendships are made of! And what better to share than the tasty concoction of a ready-to-go cocktail? Thankfully, the ready to drink cocktail market has been developing rapidly which makes it so much easier to have lovely cocktails for two at apéro hour, whether they come from a can or a small bottle. These types of cocktails also make pre-drinking easier without the hassle of getting together unusual recipe ingredients! Here is a selection of fabulous cocktails and mocktails for you to share with your friends!

Tom Savano - Passionfruit Martini

tom savano passionfruit martini the drinks bureau shirley temple  ready to drink cocktails the three drinkers

A very smooth, well blended but also tangy Passionfruit Martini, this is a bar quality cocktail and isn’t overly syrupy. You can always add that shot of prosecco on the side for that well known fruity Martini cocktail combination! This is a very drinkable cocktail blending the passionfruit with vodka, Madagascan vanilla and lime. As it is served in a bottle with a stopper, the cocktail can be savoured throughout the night and the next day (if you’re up to it that is).

Size: 500ml
ABV: 20%
Find here: £22 (price reduction online)

Gordon’s Premium Pink Gin and Tonic

gordon's premium pink gin and tonic best ready to drink cocktailsthe three drinkers

This is the classic go-to G&T combination where the fruity sweetness of Gordon’s London pink dry gin smoothly blends with the bitterness from the Schweppes tonic in perfect harmony. The botanical base is bright and lively, perfect to bring a little sun to your day. A handy size to bring to picnics, it’s also ideal for drinking before a night out, or whilst you practice those TikTok dance moves with your bestie.

Size: 250ml
ABV: 5%
Find here: £1.80

Something & Nothing French Rosé  + Hibiscus and Rose Spritz

something and nothing french rose best ready to drink cocktails the three drinkers

Made with French rosé wine and hibiscus and rose seltzer, this is a lighter drink that’s ideal for chilled occasions - think BBQs, picnics or just destressing after work. The rosé adds floral and fruity notes to the spritz and being such a food-friendly profile, it would also work a treat with small bites. It’s vegan friendly too!

Size: 330ml 
ABV: 4%
Find here: £3.79

ISH Spirits Non-Alcoholic Mojito

ish spirits mojito ready to drink cocktails the three drinkers

A delicious blend which has been awarded the IWSC Bronze prize, it is hard to believe that this is a mocktail! It smells and tastes just like a Mojito thanks to the well-balanced botanicals in the non-alcoholic ISH Caribbean Spiced Spirit - you really get a taste of that rum twist. It’s the perfect treat to take on a road trip with your bestie!

Size: 250 ml
ABV: 0.5%
Find here: £2.59

The Drinks Bureau - Shirley Temple

the drinks bureau shirley temple  ready to drink cocktails the three drinkers

Another classic mocktail on the list, the Shirley Temple takes its name from the famous actress who appeared in films such as Heidi! This is a cherry flavoured drink containing warm ginger, a sweetness that is offset with a great tangy flavour and bitters that give it a real depth. It’s a perfect drink to sip on with your friends whilst enjoying a movie!

Size: 250ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £12 for 4 cans

There you have it - these ready to drink cocktails are full of flavour and great for sharing, so get out those cocktail glasses or drink them from the can wherever and whenever, who needs an excuse! To see more tasty cocktail suggestions, click here.

By Latoya Austin

latoya austin drinklusive the three drinkers ready to drink cocktails to share with your bestie