The tool, without which no professional bartender can work normally, bears the proud name "shaker". What kind of thing is this? - you ask. Read more about this later. The aforementioned device, in addition, is simply a lifesaver for people who consume sports nutrition.
What is a shaker?
Very interesting and tasty cocktails, of course, it is impossible to prepare without the above device. What is a shaker? Fans of fine drinks claim that it is a very important tool that allows the bartender to create a truly delicious drink.
What is a shaker? Specialists note: in translation this word from English means "shake." That is, in the process of agitation, several alcoholic ingredients are thoroughly mixed, after which they are cooled by ice.
A shaker, the price of which depends on its type, is not a very cheap pleasure. For example, a set for Boston cocktails costs from 1800 rubles, and the most common French device - about 1650 rubles.
Shaker Classification
There are several types of the above device. It:
- Boston
- French;
- European;
- streamlined.
They differ among themselves in the following indicators:
- form;
- glass volume;
- the details.
The choice of a shaker depends on the purpose of use.
Cobbler shaker
Another name for this device is European, or standard. It consists of three main parts:
- a glass;
- top cap;
- lid and strainer for filtering liquid from ice.
How to use a cobbler shaker? Very simple:
- Put all the necessary components of the cocktail into a glass.
- Close it tightly.
- Shake the appliance for about 8 seconds.
Ice in this short time, of course, will not melt, but it will cool the drink well enough. After a good shaking, the cap should be removed from the strainer, pour the drink into a glass.
A device of this type is very convenient for a novice bartender, since it is quite simple to use and does not need special skills in working with it.
Boston Shaker
The above device is also called American. It consists of two main parts:
- steel cones;
- glass cup with measurements for liquid.
Working with him is very simple:
- Ice must be placed in a steel cone.
- All the main ingredients in a cup.
- Before you start shaking, it is recommended to drain the melted water from the cone.
- Shake the shaker for about 10 seconds.
- Pour the resulting cocktail into a glass.
It should be noted that the above view of this device is designed for a bartender with experience, so there is no strainer in it. If necessary, it can be purchased separately (under the name "strainer").
Streamlined Shaker
This device has the following characteristics:
- streamlined shape;
- small volume;
- fits comfortably in the hand;
- missing small parts.
It should be noted that the above shaker is not very suitable for the bartender. The fact is that it has a small volume, with an abundance of customers it simply will not be possible to prepare a sufficient amount of cocktail. This streamlined appliance is designed for home use.
Other types of shakers
The French cocktail set is the most inconvenient to work with. The main advantage of the above device is its volume exclusively. It consists of two main parts: steel cones and a glass cup. “On hit” the French cocktail set cannot be opened at all.
Another option for mixing cocktails is a speed shaker. What's this? The bartender uses a glass with thick walls, in which he is going to serve this drink, immediately as a glass glass.
Shaker for sports nutrition
The above device is designed for quick and easy mixing of protein mixtures, food substitutes and protein-carbohydrate shakes. A sports shaker may have a plastic mesh. It is designed to break up lumps of the mixture and obtain a homogeneous mass as a result.
A sports shaker may not have this special mesh. Then instead of it there is a ball inside such a device, which breaks a variety of lumps.
These kits for sports nutrition are made of plastic, silicone or metal. Shakers made of safe plastic up to 750 ml are the most popular among athletes. They are very convenient to use, because the usual portion of a carbohydrate-protein shake is about 350 g of powder, to which liquid is still added.
If an athlete uses protein mixtures, that is, casein, concentrates or isolates, then a 500 ml device is quite enough for him. The fact is that the portion of protein that is necessary for the body of such a person is only 44 g. It is also necessary to add fluid to it.
Experts note that when buying such a device, you need to pay attention to the presence of thread on the cap. The fact is that such a shaker is more reliable, because it is less likely to suddenly open and accidentally leak. In addition, such a kit for mixing sports nutrition is much easier to close.
Use such a device for the preparation of special nutrition for athletes immediately before consuming the protein mixture. If it is prepared in advance (in about a few hours), then bacteria can form in it.
Of course, for athletes, the most economical and convenient device for use in a gym is a shaker. Its price depends on the volume of the cup and the material from which it is made. For example, a set for mixing sports nutrition from safe plastic can be bought for just 390 p. (volume 1000 ml). The same shaker, but which can only accommodate 700 ml of the mixture, costs 280 p. A sports nutrition kit made of metal with a volume of 700 ml can be bought for about 600 p.
Shaker Cocktail Tips
To make the prepared drink really great, you need to follow some simple rules for its preparation:
- Ice cubes must be exceptionally large.
- The maximum shaker shaking time is 10 seconds.
- Only metal cones can correctly transfer the temperature of the drink to the hand.
- There is a sequence of pouring alcohol into the shaker: first - strong alcohol (loose components), then fruit juices, and only then - liquors and syrups.
- Never add carbonated drinks to the appliance! They will only break the shaker.
The main criteria for choosing a shaker
As already mentioned, they buy the above device, depending on the purpose of its purpose.
Very high quality is a metal shaker, which is made of stainless steel. Such a device allows you to feel the temperature of the drink by touch.
If the bartender chooses a shaker for juggling, then experts note that for this purpose there is no more suitable than cobbler.
When choosing a metal shaker, you need to pay attention to the thickness of its walls. The thicker they are, the better the device. With thin walls, it’s definitely not possible to open “on strike” the shaker! Also, experts say, sometimes there are cases when parts of the shaker (due to the fact that its walls are too thin) simply freeze.
Shaker is an excellent device for mixing a variety of ingredients.