No shaker? No problem! Discover 6 ingenious tips for making easy, quick and tasty cocktails at home, without bar equipment. These tips, inspired by the ingenuity of mixologists in confinement, will allow you to amaze your guests for sure.
Reading time: 7 minutes
Summary
- Jam Jar or Gourd: The Homemade Shaker for a Quick and Easy Cocktail
- Replace Shaker Cocktails with Spoon Cocktails
- Kitchen Whisk: Quick Tip for a Perfect No-Shaker Cocktail
- Replace Shaker Cocktails with Crushed Ice Cocktails
- Substitute Soda for Syrups: A Simple Solution for Ready-to-Make Cocktails
- Using Infuse Me Cocoons: A Ready to Drink Solution for Shakerless Cocktails.
Remember the lockdown, that time when we all found ourselves improvising, whether it was cooking or even making cocktails. Without a shaker, without the right equipment, but with the desire to enjoy a good drink despite everything.
You weren’t alone! Even the best mixologists had to get creative and come up with solutions. And guess what? These hacks, which have been popping up in kitchens around the world, are here to stay.
Whether you're a newbie or an experienced bartender without tools, this article is for you.
Find out how, with a touch of creativity and our tips, you can concoct easy, quick and simply delicious cocktails, without any fancy equipment.
1.Jam Jar or Gourd: The Homemade Shaker for a Quick and Easy Cocktail.
No shaker on hand? No worries! It is very likely that you already have everything you need at home. A well-cleaned glass jam jar is perfect to replace a shaker. Its airtight seal allows you to mix your ingredients efficiently. You don't have a jam jar? An empty bottle, a tightly closed flask , or even a Tupperware will do the job just as well. Just look around you, in your kitchen, in the bathroom, in the cellar and you will see that any airtight container can become your ally to prepare an easy and quick cocktail.
👩🍳 Bartender's tip: Make sure your container is clean and, above all, tightly closed before shaking it. Shaker accidents happen faster than you think, and no one wants to get splashed in the middle of a cocktail party!
2. Replace Shaker Cocktails with Spoon Cocktails
Not all cocktails are necessarily made in a shaker. If you have several ingredients to mix, a simple wooden spoon can perfectly replace the bartenders' mixing spoon. It allows you to control the dilution of the elements with precision, especially for simple cocktails like the Gin Tonic and the same principle with cocktails like the Negroni, the Martini, the Manhattan which do not require a shaker to control the dilution, but simply a good container and a spoon to mix. And if you don't have a wooden spoon on hand, any long and flat object, like a chopstick or even the handle of a metal spoon, will do the trick.
👩🍳 Bartender's tip: Take the time to mix your ingredients well, especially with cocktails that don't require a shaker. A delicate mix guarantees good dilution and a harmonious cocktail. Avoid making cocktails with a dense texture or a foam with a spoon, favor the whisk method.
3. Kitchen Whisk: Quick Tip for a Perfect No-Shaker Cocktail.
A kitchen whisk can really work wonders. It mixes your ingredients perfectly and adds that light foamy touch that makes cocktails even more delicious.
For example, it works perfectly for cocktails like the Pisco Sour, Espresso Martini or Piña Colada, where foam and creamy texture are essential. This simple kitchen tool can therefore transform your cocktail preparation, making each mix quick and efficient.
4. Replace Shaker Cocktails with Crushed Ice Cocktails.
If you don't have a shaker to prepare your cocktails, it is entirely possible to turn to recipes that do not require this equipment.
For example, the Mojito is a great choice. However, you will need crushed ice to get the original recipe. Don't have an ice crusher at home? No problem! Just take regular ice cubes, place them in a clean tea towel and hit them with a rolling pin or a heavy object. When you open the tea towel, you will discover ready-to-use crushed ice.
👩🍳 Bartender Tip: Make sure the towel is tightly closed to prevent crushed ice from accidentally spilling all over your kitchen floor.
5. Replace Syrups with Sodas: A Simple Solution for Ready-to-Make Cocktails.
Making a cocktail without a shaker can sometimes seem complicated, especially when you use syrups, which have a high density and do not mix well with alcohol without shaking. But don't panic! If you are a fan of cocktails like the Moscow Mule, you know that ginger beer is a must. Using this sparkling beverage, you can make refreshing cocktails effortlessly. They already contain the necessary sugar, which eliminates the need for a shaker.
For example, add ginger beer to a gin or vodka base, with a squeeze of lime, and you have a refreshing Mule in no time. With this trick, you get a quick and easy cocktail, ideal for impromptu evenings!
👩🍳 Bartender's tip: Everyone loves mules, they're a great classic and easy to vary with your favorite alcohols.
6. Use Infuse Me Cocoons: A Ready to Drink Solution for Shaker-Free Cocktails.
Imagine mixing a ready-made cocktail in minutes , without the need for a shaker or complicated equipment. That’s exactly what Infuse Me offers. Created during the pandemic, this innovative brand was founded by Chloë, a mixologist living in London, to meet the demand for easy-to-make cocktails at home. Infuse Me offers cocoons containing natural blends of plants, flowers, and spices, presented in cocoon bags and accompanied by dehydrated fruits for an olfactory and decorative touch.
With Infuse Me, simply place a cocoon in a glass with a base of gin, vodka, or sparkling wine, infuse for a few minutes cold, add a few ice cubes and tonic, and that's it! You don't need a shaker to get a mixologist cocktail. This method allows you to make up to 6 different cocktails with a single base of ingredients.
👩🍳 Bartender Tip: You should always have an Infuse Me box at home. The tasting box includes all 6 flavors in duplicate, enough to please all your guests.
With these tips, making cocktails at home without a shaker becomes easy peasy lemon squeeze. 🍋✨
Using everyday objects and simple methods , you can create sophisticated drinks and impress your guests without having to invest in specialized equipment or mixologist training.
Remember, the key is to be creative and have fun with what you have on hand. Whether you choose a jam jar as a makeshift shaker or opt for Infuse Me Cocoons, either method offers a quick and easy cocktail. So next time you find yourself without a shaker, use these tips to create homemade cocktails that will live up to your expectations.
Thank you for reading this article to the end, I hope you find it useful. And if you liked it, share it with your friends – after all, everyone deserves to enjoy a good cocktail, even without a shaker! If you have any questions, want me to cover a particular topic, write to us at info@infuseme.fr
Cheers cocktail lovers! 🥳
