How long should you shake a cocktail?

12 to 15 seconds of vigorous shaking for standard citrus cocktails. 8 to 10 seconds is too short (under-dilution); 20-plus seconds is too long (over-dilution).

Shaking time is governed by what the drink needs in chill and dilution. Standard citrus cocktails (Daiquiri, Margarita, Whiskey Sour, Cosmopolitan, Sidecar): 12 to 15 seconds of hard shaking. The drink reaches optimal temperature around 10 seconds and optimal dilution around 13. Egg-white drinks need a two-stage shake: 10 seconds dry (no ice, to emulsify the egg whites into foam) plus 15 seconds wet (with ice, to chill and dilute). Total: 25 seconds. Cream drinks (Brandy Alexander, White Russian if shaken) need a slightly longer wet shake — 18 to 20 seconds — to fully incorporate the cream. Tropical drinks with thicker juices (orgeat, falernum, pineapple) need the full 15 seconds because the heavy ingredients resist aeration. Shaking longer than 20 seconds for a standard cocktail over-dilutes the drink and produces a watery result. Shaking shorter than 10 seconds leaves the drink warm, under-chilled, and reading as harsh. When in doubt, shake hard for 12 seconds and taste.