Swizzle Sticks - Who Knew?

For some unknown reason, I've had swizzle sticks on my mind since I first fired up my kiln in Sheboygan.  I don't even own a swizzle stick.  I doubt I know anyone who uses a swizzle stick. But the thought was pesky enough that earlier this week, I make a batch and put them in the kiln.

That night - or in the wee hours of the morning - I woke with the thought that this was sheer folly.  No one wants swizzle sticks.  That day I was working with a well-known artist and shared this with him, and he got excited.  "I love swizzle sticks!  I collect them! Swizzle sticks are cool!"

Cough, sputter - okay then - someone loves swizzle sticks.  And yes, I will gift him some.  It takes little to encourage me, so I am on a swizzle stick making kick.  Another dozen is waiting for me to fire up the kiln.

Did you know that the swizzle stick originated in the Caribbean in the 18th century?  They were created at a rum plantation in the West Indies using a branch from a Quaraiben turbinata - also known as the swizzle stick tree.

The swizzle stick took a refined turn in the 20th century when it became of favorite of Queen Victoria and her lady friends to stir their champagne cocktails.  

In 1933, inventor Jay Sindler needed a way to remove the olive from his martini without using his fingers and as they say - the rest is history as manufactures began making plastic sticks and cocktail lounges customized them to promote their business.

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