When it comes to shaking a whiskey sour, there is a common misconception that you can overdo it. However, as an expert sommelier and brewer, I can assure you that you can't over shake your “dry” ingredients. In fact, it's better to keep on shaking to ensure a frothy top to your cocktail!
The process of shaking a whiskey sour is crucial in creating a well-balanced and delicious drink. When you shake the ingredients, you not only mix them together but also incorporate air into the mixture. This aeration creates a frothy texture on the top of the cocktail, which adds to the overall drinking experience.
One of the reasons people may think they can over shake a whiskey sour is because they are concerned about diluting the cocktail too much. While it's true that shaking will dilute the drink to some extent, the amount of dilution is usually minimal and necessary for the proper flavor profile. The shaking process also helps to chill the cocktail and mellow the flavors, resulting in a more enjoyable sip.
In my personal experience, I have found that shaking a whiskey sour for about 10-15 seconds is usually sufficient to achieve the desired frothiness. However, if you'd like to take your cocktail artistry to the next level, you can experiment with different shaking times and techniques to see what works best for you.
If you're feeling adventurous, you can even try your hand at cocktail art by adding bitters to your whiskey sour. To do this, I recommend transferring your bitters into a container with a dropper top. This will allow you to control the amount of bitters you add to your cocktail and create intricate designs on the frothy top of your drink.
Don't be afraid to shake your whiskey sour a little longer than you think is necessary. The shaking process not only mixes the ingredients but also adds a frothy top to your cocktail. Experimenting with shaking times and techniques can help you perfect your whiskey sour and take your cocktail game to new heights. So go ahead and shake away!