Swizzle
/ˈswɪz.əl/noun
A drink stirred or mixed with a swizzle stick, or a swizzle stick used for mixing.
Did you know?Swizzle is tied to Caribbean drink culture, and the verb likely imitates the rapid whirring sound of stirring—one of those words where the sound itself does the magic.
Etymological Timeline
19th Century
English
swizzle
“To mix or stir a drink vigorously; also the mixing implement itself.”
Late 19th Century
English
swizzle stick
“A small stick or rod used to stir cocktails and other drinks.”
19th Century
English
swizzle
“Probably a sound-imitative formation suggesting rapid stirring or whirring.”
Unknown
English
swizzle
“The exact origin is uncertain, but it is generally treated as an expressive word formed in English.”