Does a vodka martini really taste better when shaken instead of stirred?
Ah, the vodka martini (shaken not stirred, mind you) — the one drink that’s impossible to order without looking like a pompous jerk. Thanks 007, way to ruin a good thing for the rest of us. But still, it does beg the question, why does the secret agent like his drink this particular way? Does it really taste better, or is Bond just a high-maintenance nightmare? First off, it’s important to note that we’re talking about a vodka martini (as opposed to a regular martini, which is made with gin). Now as to whether or not it tastes better when shaken, it really depends on how you like your drinks. The oft-quoted Straight Dope notes that shaken martinis are colder, “sharper,” and because the vermouth dissolves
