choose a type of spirit that you want to use in your cocktail
choose another type of alcohol to enhance the taste of the spirit [optional]
get a nice cocktail shaker
get a jigger or measuring cup
muddle your fruit or herbs in the bottom of the cocktail shaker first [optional]
add the juices alcohols and liqueurs into the cocktail shaker
add the ice after adding the liquids
close the cap to the cocktail shaker and shake vigorously, anywhere from 10 to 20 seconds or until the shaker is too cold to hold
strain the drink into the appropriate vessel
add bitters to your drink [optional]