au shaker, pas à la cuillère
The English phrase "shaken, not stirred" is translated into French as au shaker, pas à la cuillère.
A request for a cocktail to be prepared by shaking the ingredients instead of stirring them.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to with the shaker, not with the spoon.
Which one should you use?
The phrase uses au shaker to specify the method of mixing and à la cuillère to specify the alternative method of stirring with a bar spoon.
Did you know?
- The word cuillère shares a common ancestor with the word 'snail', coming from the Latin 'cochlea'. This is because many ancient spoons were shaped like snail shells.
- The term shaker is an anglicism commonly used in French professional bartending. Although French has many words for kitchen tools, the English loanword is the standard way to describe the metal vessel used for mixing cocktails.
- In high-end French mixology, the distinction between au shaker and à la cuillère is crucial because shaking aerates the drink and dilutes it faster than stirring.
Example conversation
Hugo and Chloé are ordering cocktails at a classy bar.
- HugoChloé, commande un Martini pour moi.Chloé, order a Martini for me.
- ChloéD'accord, comment le veux-tu ?Okay, how do you want it?
- HugoAu shaker, pas à la cuillère, s'il te plaît.Shaken, not stirred, please.
- ChloéC'est noté, je demande au serveur.Got it, I'll ask the waiter.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cuillère, la, pas, à, CC BY-SA 4.0.
