How to Double-Strain a Cocktail

Whether you’re new to cocktail making or a cocktail enthusiast, there’s one technique that every home bartender needs to know: double straining.  Tired of those ice shards or fruit pulp ruining your perfectly crafted drink? Then double straining is going to change the quality of your drinks.

Why Double Strain Your Cocktail?

First things first, why should you bother double straining your drinks? Double straining ensures that your drink is as smooth as desired and free of any unwanted bits.

Double straining helps you achieve that refined finish that’ll will give your drinks that bar-level standard you’re looking for.

Do You Need to Double-Strain Every Cocktail?

No, not every cocktail needs to be double-strained, since not even cocktail is a shaken cocktail.

Rico, Bartender and Absolut Global Brand Ambassador, explains that when you shake drinks with citrus juice in a Cocktail Shaker, such as a Kamikaze or Cosmopolitan, “You create a very crisp, fresh and crunchy texture. Whereas if you stir a drink, you’re going to create a much smoother velvety texture.”

“Anything which is just pure alcohol (such as a classic Martini or Negroni), you might want to stir that just to get a velvety texture,” suggests Rico. “But when it comes to drinks with fruit juices and syrups, shake the hell out of them – smash them up. Get everything blended together and you’ll get a nice texture.”

“I’m not into shaking stuff like a Bloody Mary. I think you need to control the dilution, and you don’t want to really water in a Bloody Mary,” says Rico.

But for those cocktails that should be double-strained, read on.

3 Essential Bartending Tools for Double Straining

Before we dive into the actual technique of double straining, you’ll need to arm yourself with a few basic tools. Here’s what you’ll need:

1. Cocktail Shaker: Whether you want to make a classic Margarita or an Espresso Martini a good Cocktail Shaker is essential. As Rico explains, when you’re holding a Shaker, you want to “Shake it, don’t tickle it”. So, give your cocktails a proper shake. Watch this video where Rico demonstrates how to use a Cocktail Shaker.
2.  Hawthorne Strainer: This is the strainer with the coiled spring that sits snugly over your shaker. It catches those larger ice chunks and muddled ingredients.
3.  Fine Mesh Strainer: This small, handheld strainer catches all the tiny bits that slip through the Hawthorne Strainer, ensuring your cocktail is smooth and both ice and pulp free.

Types of Cocktail Strainers

OK, so let’s break down the different types of strainers and their roles in the double straining process:

1. Hawthorne Strainer: As mentioned above, this strainer has a coiled spring that fits neatly over the top of your shaker. This allows you to attach this Strainer to the Shaker and just pour with one hand while holding the Strainer in place. It’s perfect for holding back larger pieces of ice and muddled fruit. The spring can be adjusted to control the flow of liquid, making it versatile for different cocktail styles.
2. Julep Strainer: This strainer looks like a large, perforated spoon. While it’s traditionally used for straining stirred cocktails like the classic Manhattan, it can also be used in place of a Hawthorne Strainer if you prefer.
3. Fine Mesh Strainer: This small, handheld strainer comes in various sizes are essential and function like a Tea Strainer. It catches all the fine particles that the Hawthorne Strainers or Julep Strainers miss. It’s essential for achieving that ultra-smooth finish.

Watch this video where Rico demonstrates the different strainer types.

How to Double Strain Your Cocktails

So, now the bottom you’ve been waiting for. Here’s a step-by-step guide to double straining cocktails:

1. Shake It Up: Start by shaking your cocktail as you normally would in your Cocktail Shaker. Make sure to give it a good, vigorous shake to properly mix and chill the ingredients. A good guide is to shake for a slow count of ten seconds until ice cold.
2. First Strain: Place your Hawthorne Strainer over the top of your Cocktail Shaker. Pour the cocktail through the strainer into your glass, catching any large ice chunks and muddled ingredients.
3. Second Strain: Hold your Fine Mesh Strainer over your serving glass. Pour the cocktail from the Shaker through the Mesh sSrainer, catching any remaining fine particles. This step ensures that your drink is free of any unwanted bits and pieces.
4. Serve and Impress: Pour your perfectly strained cocktail into a chilled glass, garnish as desired, and prepare to impress your guests with outstanding bar-quality drinks.

One final word – Double straining might take a bit of practice to get the hang of but it’s worth the pursuit. It’s a technique that will significantly elevate the quality of your drinks. Ready to get double straining? Explore our drink recipes here