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The original swizzle sticks were a vanity conceit carried by men, and sometimes women, before the turn of the century. This original swizzle stick extended into an umbrella of fine wires to be swirled in a glass of champagne to reduce the carbonation. It was in demand with the introduction of sea-going passenger ships, because reducing the carbonating bubbles was thought to make champagne more digestible and reduce the cause of sea-sickness. It was considered gentlemanly to use the extended swizzle stick by swishing it in a glass of champagne before offering the drink to a lady. By reducing carbonation, the swizzle stick lessened the chance of a lady belching in polite society and also prevented the champagne bubbles from breaking on the lady’s makeup and spotting her powder. Swizzle sticks were manufactured by Tiffany & Co. until recently as a fad or collectible.

LOT OF 23 VINTAGE GLASS COCKTAIL STIRRER SWIZZLE STICK
US $6.99 (1 Bid)
End Date: Monday Aug-02-2010 19:30:32 PDT
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Over the years, swizzle sticks evolved into straight sticks used to stir cocktails, and were made of many types of materials, including blown glass, metal, plastics, ivory and precious metals, and were sometimes ornately decorated. Collectors of swizzle sticks can find an almost unlimited variety available at antique shops, antique shows, internet sellers, and other types of markets.

Swizzle sticks today are small sticks placed in cocktails to hold fruit, or merely stir the drink. Commonly made of plastic, the swizzle portion of the swizzle stick name originated from the Caribbean cocktail, Rum Swizzle. In 1933, Jay Sindler invented a swizzle stick with a spear-point on one end. Sindler, an engineer, was trying to get the olive out of his martini without using his fingers. Sindler was granted a patent on his swizzle stick in 1935. The swizzle stick is now found in various designs and made with different materials. In the Caribbean the swizzle stick is often used with different types of wood to give certain beverages a distinct flavour. Organizations often customize the paddles of swizzle sticks with corporate logos or other designs, making swizzle sticks popular with collectors.