The best way to drain ricotta cheese is to place it in a fine-mesh sieve or colander lined with cheesecloth or a clean kitchen towel. Allow the ricotta to sit and drain for around 30 minutes to an hour, pressing down gently with a spoon or spatula to aid the process. Once drained, remove the cheesecloth or towel, and your ricotta cheese will have a thicker and creamier texture.