Starting from the beginning, a swizzle stick is a cut from the evergreen tree that goes by the name Quararibea turbinate but is also known as the swizzle stick tree.

That being said, swizzles are sour style drinks with a similar composition to a punch that, distinctively, must be churned with a swizzle stick. They are usually served in a tall glass and always with crushed rather than cubed ice.

In Edward R. Emerson 1909 Beverages, Past and Present: An Historical Sketch of Their Production, he asserted that Rum Swizzles originated on the Caribbean islands of St. Kitts. The Brotherhood Winery’s owner also writes that swizzle is composed of six parts of water, one of rum and aromatic flavouring.

In fact, this gives the cocktail plenty of opportunities to experiment with fruit or herbs.