What it is
A swizzle stick is a slender rod with branches at one end. Traditional wooden versions are rotated between the palms in a glass; natural sticks can vary in the shape of their branches and the length of the shaft.
When to use it
It is used to mix drinks in a glass or pitcher with crushed ice. Rapid rotation helps chill the drink; it can also aerate the mixture and circulate the ice. The technique is used for stirring still drinks and reducing fizz in sparkling ones.
How to use it
Put the stick into the glass with the ingredients and crushed ice. Rotate it quickly between your palms while raising and lowering it in the drink. Continue until the ingredients are mixed; the movement can also frost the outside of the glass.
How to choose it
Check that the branches at the end can rotate in the vessel you plan to use. Natural sticks can vary in shaft length and branch shape, so do not assume that every piece will have identical dimensions.
Cleaning and storage
For the natural Lélé Wood stick described in the linked product sheet, hand wash with warm water and dry immediately; that model must not go in the dishwasher. The Hand Harvested All Natural hand-wash recommendation also concerns its wooden item.
Common mistakes
Do not confuse a swizzle stick with the mass-produced plastic decorative wand sometimes left in a drink: that wand is not the branched tool rotated in crushed ice to mix a drink.
Frequently asked questions
What is a swizzle stick?
It is a slender rod with branches at one end, rotated in a drink—usually with crushed ice—to mix it.
How do you use one?
Rotate it quickly between your palms while raising and lowering it in a glass containing the drink and crushed ice.
Can it go in the dishwasher?
The linked natural Lélé Wood stick is not dishwasher safe: hand wash it with warm water and dry immediately.
Sources and review
Sources consulted for this utensil’s documented uses, care and characteristics.
- CocktailBar: Lélé Wood Swizzle Stick cocktailbarware.co.uk/products/swizzle-stick/
- Bar Supplies: Hand Harvested All Natural Swizzle Stick barsupplies.com/products/swizzle-stick-hand-harvested-all-natural
- Difford’s Guide: Swizzle Stick www.diffordsguide.com/bar-equipment-and-barware/251/swizzle-stick
- House of Angostura: Swizzle Royale, 9 July 2018 www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-house-of-angostura-debuts-swizzle-royale-cocktail-and-m…
- Jeff Berry, The Oxford Companion to Spirits & Cocktails: swizzle stick www.spiritsanddistilling.com/dictionary/acref-9780199311132-e-969
