During the cocktail preparation, which step follows stirring?

Straining the cocktail is the correct step that follows stirring during cocktail preparation. After a cocktail is stirred, the purpose of straining is to separate the liquid from any ice used during the mixing process. This process ensures that the drink served is cold and well-mixed but free of ice shards, which could dilute the drink further if left in the glass. Straining also helps present a cleaner appearance, making the final cocktail more visually appealing.

The other options, while relevant in the context of cocktail preparation, do not directly follow stirring. Pouring the ingredients occurs before stirring, adding ice is done prior to stirring to ensure proper chilling, and shaking the mixture is a different technique used for cocktails that require aeration and mixing through vigorous movement, rather than a gentle stirring motion. Thus, straining is the logical next step to finalize the cocktail after it has been thoroughly stirred.