Cocktails, like martinis and Manhattans, are typically shaken or stirred before serving. But what’s the difference?

Shaking a cocktail mixes the ingredients together and chills it. Stirring mixes the ingredients and warms it.

Shaking a cocktail is more strenuous and can bruise the drink. Stirring is more gentle and doesn’t cause the drink to become cloudy.

So which is better?

That’s up for debate. Some people believe that shaking a cocktail releases more of the drink’s flavor. Others prefer the …