When should a cocktail be shaken and when stirred?

The answer

Shake drinks that contain citrus juice, egg white, cream or other cloudy ingredients, and stir drinks made entirely of spirits and other clear ingredients. Shaking mixes cloudy ingredients thoroughly and adds a little air, while stirring keeps a martini or a manhattan clear and silky. Follow the recipe, and remember that exact timing matters less than getting the drink cold and balanced. A shaker is typically used for about ten to fifteen seconds, a mixing glass for about twenty-five to thirty.