Basic Cocktail methods

Question

I wana make some cocktails but is there a main method?

Whats the difference between Shaken or Stirred?

What are some popular cocktails?

Answer 1

For a "cocktail" there is no main method.  I advise people to think of it like chemistry.  A spirit (liquor), a mixer (soda or juice) and enhancements (garnish or flavored liqueurs).  Most "mixed drinks" have more mixer than liquor, while other popular drinks can be just chilled liquor or liquor served over ice, like a martini.

The main difference between shaken and stirred is chilling the drink.  

Shaking is a faster method of chilling the drink, but also introduces ice shards to the mix meaning that it may water down the cocktail.  Most shaken cocktails are willing to accept that as a necessary sacrifice.  Shaking also better blends the ingredients.  

Stirring is best for maintaining the appearance of clear ingredients since shaking also can create air bubbles which may cloud the drink.  There are some people who say that you can "bruise" liquor by shaking it, so they prefer to stir.  (I don't believe that, personally)

For popular cocktails, a quick search online for "cocktail recipes" will bring up a lot of sites, many that can give you recipes based on what you've already got in your pantry and most of them allow users to rate the drinks.  A very popular online video series is called Cocktails on the Fly, tho her methods are for the slightly more experienced drinks mixer.