“Now a Manhattan you always shake to fox-trot time, a Bronx to two-step time, a dry Martini you always shake to waltz time.” – The Thin Man (1934)
“A medium dry Martini, lemon peel. Shaken, not stirred.” – Dr. No (1962)
James Bond. Nick Charles. Although you might admire the style and wit of these legendary cinematic drinkers, you won’t necessarily want to copy their mixing techniques. To get the very best results from your bar ingredients, here’s a quick guide to when to shake, when to stir, and when to “build” your drinks: