swizzle stick

noun

A small utensil, often disposable, used to mix or stir drinks, commonly iced tea or cocktails.

“The rum-based mixed drink came with a swizzle stick shaped like a pirate's sword.”

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Meanings

nounswizzle stick (plural swizzle sticks)

plural swizzle sticks · alternative swizzle-stick

  1. A small utensil, often disposable, used to mix or stir drinks, commonly iced tea or cocktails.

    The rum-based mixed drink came with a swizzle stick shaped like a pirate's sword.

    3 more examples

    Churn up the mixture with a swizzle-stick, which can be easily made with the assistance of a short length of cane (the ordinary school-treat brand) a piece of cork, a bit of string, and a pocket knife.

    1897, Edward Spencer, Cakes & Ale

    And as a neon swizzle stick is stirring up the sultry night air

    1975, “Nighthawk Postcards (From Easy Street)”, in Nighthawks at the Diner, performed by Tom Waits

    Ting, ting, ting! Tracey hit her swizzle stick against her glass.

    2006, Tsitsi Dangarembga, The Book of Not, Faber & Faber Limited (2021), page 289

Origin

1859, from swizzle (“alcoholic drink”, noun).

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Bulgarian бъркалка
  • бъркалка (bărkalka)small utensil used to mix or stir drinks
French touillette
  • touillettesmall utensil used to mix or stir drinks
Polish pałeczka do mieszania koktajli
  • pałeczka do mieszania koktajlismall utensil used to mix or stir drinks
Cite this entry
APA

swizzle stick. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/swizzle%20stick

MLA

“swizzle stick.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/swizzle%20stick. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “swizzle stick,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/swizzle%20stick.

Source: swizzle stick on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.