When to swizzle
Swizzle crushed-ice drinks that want rapid chill without shaking out the ice texture — classic Caribbean and tiki builds.
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Skill · Swizzle in crushed ice until frosted
Swizzle
Spin crushed ice in the glass until the outside frosts.
The big idea
Swizzling spins crushed ice in the glass until the exterior frosts — rapid chill without shaking away the ice’s texture.
Built for crushed-ice Caribbean and tiki-style drinks.
Pack crushed ice, add ingredients, spin a stick or barspoon between your palms.
Stop when the glass frosts; top with more ice if the mound settles.
You’re mixing and diluting in place — keep proportions measured.
A metal barspoon works at home if you lack a traditional swizzle stick.
How to do it
Pack the glass with crushed ice, add ingredients, then spin a swizzle stick or barspoon between your palms until the glass frosts. Top with more ice if needed.
Common mistakes
- Cubes won’t frost the glass — crush or crack them first.
- Undissolved sugar sits at the bottom if you didn’t use syrup.
- Stopping before the glass frosts leaves the drink hot in the middle.
In the glass
Practice swizzle
Read the drill, then make the drink once focusing on that cue — repetition beats another paragraph.
