Fun Idea for Mixed Drinks: Sugar Cane Swizzle Sticks

If you can't go to the tropics, we say bring a little of the tropics to you! Or at least that's what we thought when we spotted a package of these sugar cane swizzle sticks at the supermarket the other day. With one of these in our after-work cocktail, we could just about imagine we were there - don't you think?

Besides mixed drinks, we could also imagine using these swizzle sticks in our morning cup of coffee or tea. We could even use them as kebab skewers on the grill!

Our supermarket was selling packages of ten raw sugar cane swizzle sticks. A quick internet search revealed many online sources as well:

• Island Seasonings Hawaiian Swizzle Sticks, $9.99 on Amazon
• Raw Sugar Cane Swizzle Sticks, $6.75 from KegWorks
• Or if you're throwing a really big party, you can buy your swizzle sticks in bulk from Hula Girl Foods!

A few of the sites we found mentioned that unused sticks can be frozen until use, and that it's also a good idea to soak the skewers in water to keep them hydrated until you use them.

Have you ever used sugar cane swizzle sticks?

(Image: Amazon.com)

Comments (7)

I've never used these, but it was always a treat when my parents bought sugar cane and we just chewed and chewed. I'm guessing it would be cheaper to buy some canes and chop'em down to size - but probably a lot more labor intensive

posted by chusmabilly on July 20th 2009 at 1:39pm
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My favorite margarita bar uses them in all of their drinks. Chewing on a boozey piece is delicious.

posted by Tiamat_the_Red on July 20th 2009 at 1:57pm
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Absolutely a must with a Mojito. Had one at the Columbia in Ybor city. Sure would taste good right now...

posted by jamuka on July 20th 2009 at 2:15pm
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Mmm alcoholic sugar cane! I've never tried this myself but can only imagine it would be delicious!

posted by minji on July 20th 2009 at 2:37pm
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Good lord, those are expensive!

I'm from New Orleans, where sugar cane is a big cash crop (in surrounding areas), so that sort of thing is much more readily available. At the venerable Commander's Palace, they skewer pickled okra and some other pickled vegetables on sugar cane like that, for garnishing their extremely good Bloody Marys.

*misses it*

http://www.abreadaday.com

posted by eprewitt on July 20th 2009 at 4:08pm
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There is a vietnamese resturaunt here in Richmond that has a dish of ground up shrimp molded into balls around sugar cane sticks... it's called Banh hoi chao tom : Grilled shrimp paste with sugar cane...
it was good. interesting figuring out how to eat it! lol.

posted by Slippintrippn84 on July 20th 2009 at 4:28pm
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I am crazy for that sugar cane shrimp thing. It's delicious to eat and fun to assemble in a group/ sharing kind of meal.
Once bought an enormous cane stalk which was wonderful and every attempt since has been disappointing with dried or fermented canes.

posted by Kate (NC) on July 20th 2009 at 6:06pm
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