It’s Happy Hour! Ben & Matthew discuss the methods of cocktail dilution, why stirring is more difficult than shaking, and how to not get punched in the face. Later they discuss if size matters, of your ice that is. Finally they introduce an original stirred cocktail and a modern-ish classic shaken cocktail.

Ben’s stirred Orange and Black is a bold yet balanced cocktail that blends the spice of rye whiskey with the rich, earthy notes of Mr. Black coffee liqueur. The orange liqueur adds a subtle brightness, while the bitters tie everything together. It’s the perfect practice field for perfecting your stirring technique.

Matthew is bringing the shaken Army and Navy, a smooth, citrus-forward sour that perfectly balances gin’s juniper bite with the creamy sweetness of Orgeat. It’s a classic, yet vibrant, cocktail with a luxurious texture and a refreshing finish that is elevated by the shaking technique.

(01:28) Building cocktails and mastering dilution

(02:31) Why aeration can make or break your drink

(05:30) How to shake a cocktail like a pro (but only if you listen twice)

(10:11) Does size really matter? Absolutely, when it comes to ice

(13:35) Aeration: the secret ingredient to flavor and feel

(16:56) Stirring cocktails: trickier than you'd think

(21:00) Mastering dilution with consistency

(23:00) Cocktail: The Orange and Black

(26:08) Cocktail: The Army & Navy

• 1 1/2 oz rye whiskey
• 1/2 oz Mr. Black coffee liqueur
• 1/4 oz orange liqueur (I used Cointreau)
• 2 dashes orange bitters
• Garnish with orange twist
• Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice. Stir to your desired dilution, then strain into a rocks glass with one large ice cube. Express an orange twist over the glass, rub around the rim, and drop into the drink.

• 2 oz gin
• 1 oz lime juice
• 3/4 - 1 oz Orgeat
• 1 dash Angostura Bitters
• Garnish: lime wheel
• Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until well-chilled. Double strain into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with a lime wheel.

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We own and recommend these books:

The 12 Bottle Bar: Make Hundreds of Cocktails with Just Twelve Bottles by David Solmonson, Lesley Jacobs Solmonson

Liquid Intelligence: The Art and Science of the Perfect Cocktail by Dave Arnold

Imbibe! by David Wondrich

Cocktail Codex by Alex Day, Nick Fauchald, David Kaplan

Products we own, like and use:

• Measuring tools
• OXO Good Grips Mini Angled Measuring Cup, 2 Oz capacity
• OXO Metal Angled Measuring Cup
• OXO SteeL Double Jigger
• Shakers
• This shaking set is sold as two separate items on Amazon, you will need both
• Cocktail Kingdom Koriko Small Weighted Shaking Tin