swizzle

1 of 2

noun

swiz·​zle ˈswi-zəl How to pronounce swizzle (audio)
: an iced cocktail stirred with a swizzle stick

swizzle

2 of 2

verb

swizzled; swizzling ˈswi-zə-liŋ How to pronounce swizzle (audio)
ˈswiz-liŋ

intransitive verb

: to drink especially to excess : guzzle

transitive verb

: to mix or stir with or as if with a swizzle stick
swizzler
ˈswi-zə-lər How to pronounce swizzle (audio)
ˈswiz-lər
noun

Examples of swizzle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The origin of the swizzle dates back to the 1860s, when ice was first introduced to Caribbean locals. Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 31 July 2023 When spun rapidly between your hands inside the ice-cold cocktail, the swizzle stick will create a thick layer of frost on the outside of a glass—the sign of a perfect swizzle. Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 31 July 2023 On the archipelago, bask in the sun, swim in the crystalline sea, drink rum swizzles at The Swizzle Inn, make your own scent at the Lili Bermuda Perfumery, visit natural wonders like The Blue Hole Park, and finish off the five-star visit with a stay at a five-star hotel. Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 17 May 2023 All too often, rum gets the short end of the (swizzle) stick. Lauren Hubbard, townandcountrymag.com, 11 Apr. 2023 Stir the cocktail using a swizzle spoon until it is chilled, about 20-30 seconds. Lana Bortolot, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2023 Colorful, contrasting millwork, on the other hand, is the swizzle that transforms interiors with a whisk of a paintbrush, say design pros. Yelena Moroz Alpert, WSJ, 16 Mar. 2022 Many tiki drinks and swizzles are served over crushed ice. Adrienne Donica, Popular Mechanics, 2 Mar. 2020 The cocktail list includes an uptown Pisco Sour and clever drinks such as a Paloma made with sotol; a pisco swizzle flavored with elderflower liqueur and mint; and a pisco and dry sake martini. Greg Morago, Houston Chronicle, 24 Feb. 2020
Verb
Heirloom swizzles These quality pewter stirrers are made in the U.S., include two irons, two putters and two woods, and a touch of elegance and fun to any post-match drink. Amy Schlinger, wsj.com, 19 Dec. 2023 Noir Bar brings all of Muller's extensive knowledge, commitment to extensive research, and penchant for a good time to the table and swizzles them together with a healthy pour of booze resulting in a book sure to appeal to everyone from a scheming femme fatale to a wise-cracking gumshoe. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 16 May 2023 Add chocolate, then swizzle and stir with a traditional Mexican molinillo or whisk until dissolved and frothy. Karla Alindahao, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2023 Instead of Williams’ crippled shut-in Laura fussing over her glass figurines in the absence of a husband or happy future, Durang’s version features Lawrence, a hypochondriac who prizes his collection of cocktail swizzle sticks. San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Nov. 2021 Loads of mixology classes have popped up around town recently to teach home bartenders how to properly stir, shake and swizzle. Lisa Futterman, chicagotribune.com, 17 May 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'swizzle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun

1813, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1820, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of swizzle was in 1813

Dictionary Entries Near swizzle

Cite this Entry

“Swizzle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swizzle. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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