Physicists invent ways to shake martini to create a specific pattern in the cocktail

Physicists at the University of Waterloo in Canada have devised a novel technique for shaking martinis to create distinct patterns in the cocktail, with the shape dependent on the drink’s physical properties. When adding a substantial amount of syrup to the martini, shaking the glass produces a vortex pattern resembling elongated hearts when viewed from above. Zhaon Pan, a physicist at the University of Waterloo, observed this phenomenon in his martini glass while abroad and conducted experiments in the lab using a mixture of water, glycerine, and food dye as a substitute for a conventional martini cocktail. The researchers varied the “Reynolds number,” a measure of the fluid’s physics denoting the imbalance between particle speed and viscosity-induced momentum slowdown. The study revealed that for mixtures with ample syrup (high Reynolds number), shaking the martini glass generated a vortex pattern resembling elongated hearts.

Mabel Song, a collaborator with Pan at the University of Waterloo, noted the intriguing combination of physics and mathematics in this beautiful problem, emphasizing that specific patterns must have a theoretical basis. A series of captivating photographs capturing this new phenomenon will be presented at the American Physical Society’s Division of Fluid Mechanics conference in Washington, D.C. The research explores the intricate interplay of physical properties and shaking dynamics, uncovering the captivating visual effects that can result from the preparation of a martini.