Free Spirits 101 — Lesson 3
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Yes, a Dry Shake Is a Real Thing (And No, It’s Not What You Think)
Turns out, you don’t need alcohol to build bold flavor. But you do need a strong shake. In this episode, Steve (aka The Brit Behind Bars) explains how to craft a non-alcoholic cocktail that hits different — from the science of dilution to the technique that makes your drinks foam, sparkle, and sing: the dry shake.
What’s a Dry Shake, Anyway?
It’s not what your group chat thinks it is. A dry shake simply means shaking your cocktail without ice first, usually when you’ve got egg whites, aquafaba, or just want a frothy finish. Once you’ve worked that muscle, you add ice and shake again to chill it down.
The result? Smooth texture, zero separation, and a silky foam head that feels like magic in the glass.
Why NA Cocktails Are Built Different
- Less dilution needed – Alcohol needs water to mellow it out. Non-alcoholic spirits? Not so much.
- Stronger pours – You’ll often want more NA spirit, not less, to hit the flavor mark.
- Arm day bonus – You’ll be shaking more. Your biceps will thank you.
💡 Pro Tip: Pre-chill your non-alcoholic spirits. Since you’re not relying on dilution to tame the flavor, a colder pour keeps everything crisp, balanced, and on point.
💪 Ready to put your shaker (and shoulders) to work? Explore our non-alcoholic spirits and start mixing drinks that flex hard — without the hangover.
