Muddling

Muddling is a bartending/mixology term for crushing fruits or herbs to release their full flavour into a cocktail ­ in the same way a chef would use a pestle and mortar to prepare food ingredients. A muddler is not dissimilar to a rolling pin in that it has a flat end and is usually made of wood. Only use the muddling technique is the base of a shaker or sturdy glass ­ pushing down with a slight twist.

Good examples off cocktail recipes using this method are the Caipirissima, the Mint Julep or the Mojito.

Important note: do not attempt to muddle unripe or hard fruit in a glass as the pressure needed may break the glass.

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