A simple and convenient method for the preparation of fully acetylated and (3-bromo)benzoylated α-monosaccharides and disaccharides through vigorous mechanical mixing of solid reactants on a high speed shaker is described. Using this technique a variety of α‑acylated sugars are prepared, including penta-O-acetyl-α-D-galactopyranose, penta-O-acetyl-α-D-glucopyranose, penta-O-acetyl-α-D-mannopyranose, octa-O-acetyl-α-lactose, penta-O-(3-bromo)benzoyl-α-D-galactopyranose, penta-O-(3-bromo)benzoyl-α-D-gluco-pyranose, penta-O-(3-bromo)benzoyl-α-D-mannopyranose, and octa-O-(3-bromo)benzoyl-α-lactose.