Stirred
This refers to the preparation of a cocktail with clear ingredients (i.e. vodka tonic or a martini). You can use special glass or silver variations, or plastic ones you find at a grocery or liquor store and serve. Savvy Tip: If you weren’t prepare to play bartender, use a spoon but take it out before serving!

Strain
You do this when you want to serve a drink without the ice or fruit you mixed it with. There are spoon strainers, but it’s better to have a Hawthorne strainer on hand. A Hawthorne strainer has a short handle and a face that is large enough to cover the top of a shaker or a glass. Around the face is a wire coil that encircles the rim to keep the ice in, but allow a little bit of pulp through for texture.

Sweet and sour
This mix is used in a lot of liqueur-based drinks. It can be found pre-made at a liquor or grocery store. Savvy Tip: If you can’t get to a store in time for a drink, or you just want a quick and easy project, mix together some simple syrup, fresh-squeezed lemon and lime juice and a little bit of fresh water (preferably not tap). Refrigerate the mix in an airtight container. Your self-made mix will last about 10 days.