Why are there two straws in cocktails?

The art of serving cocktails is not as easy as it might seem. Some drinks are served with one straw, it happens that the bartender puts two straws in a cocktail, and sometimes does without them at all or replaces them with long plastic sticks. Usually all long drinks are served with straws (cocktails in glasses from 120 ml and with ice). The main function of the straw is to allow the taster to enjoy the drink without touching the ice with their lips and tongue.

Why do they put two straws in a cocktail

There are several versions:

1. To make it easier to drink. Sometimes the cocktail is quite thick, it contains pieces of fruit and berries. Through one tube, the drink can be sipped endlessly, and through two – faster. One wide straw solves the problem (some bartenders do), but it looks unaesthetic, and it also allows tiny pieces of ice to pass through.
2. Show that the drink needs to be stirred. In a simple scotch with ice or whiskey with cola, a straw is usually not put or limited to one.
3. Distinguish cocktails. Bartenders say that in a dim bar it can be difficult to remember what you have already mixed and what is still waiting in line, especially if there are a lot of orders and they are of the same type (for example, something with diet cola, and something with regular) . Then multi-colored tubes / sticks allow you to quickly navigate.
4. If one serving for two. In the case of voluminous cocktails – from 330 ml and more, visitors treat each other and drink from one glass – then two tubes allow you to do this as hygienically as possible.
5. Drink faster. After two tubes, the client will quickly deal with the cocktail and order a new one.
6. Highlight the taste. If there are several layers in a cocktail, then through two tubes you can taste several components at once and get an interesting combination.
7. For beauty. That is, for the same reason why the edge of the glass is decorated with zest or a slice of orange, a cherry is added to the cocktail – the aesthetic appeal of the drink.

History of straws in cocktails

Judging by the data of archaeological excavations, the first straw was created 5000 years ago in Sumer, it was a gold product with inlay and was used for beer. In Argentina and neighboring countries, metal straws for mate (Paraguayan holly tea) have been used for several hundred years.

In the 1888th century, enthusiasts tried to drink cocktails through ordinary herbal straws, but such straws quickly soaked in the liquid, and also gave an unpleasant aftertaste. In 1937, the American Marvin Stone patented the modern straw, and in XNUMX Joseph Friedman improved the design by equipping it with a corrugated section. At first, the straws were made of paper, and to keep them from sticking, they were treated with wax. Today there are more than a dozen types of straws: paper, plastic, even edible ones that change taste and color, etc.

Types of tubules

By size:

1. For juices. Short flexible straws for drinks in boxes 0.2, not used in cocktails. Diameter 0.13”.
2. jumbo. Ordinary thin tubes for cocktails without pulp, berries and other ingredients that can clog the straw. Diameter 0.219”.
3. Super jumbo. Equipped with a small spoon at the end, used for milk or coffee shakes, smoothies. Diameter 25”.
4. Giant. Also used in milkshakes, smoothies, hot chocolate, drinks with pulp, berries, fruits. Diameter 0.296”.
5. Colossal. They come to the rescue in cases where the drink is too thick even for a giant straw. Diameter 0.47”.

According to the characteristics:

• Straight lines.
• With a folding “accordion” in the upper part.
• With a spoon at the end.
• In individual paper packaging.