Also known as swizzle sticks, cocktail stirrers are often added to drinks merely for decoration, but are essential for any cocktail that is 'built' in the glass; that is, the ingredients are poured straight into the glass without shaking.
There are a many different styles available, including disc stirrers, which have a flat, vertical disc for the user to hold whilst stirring; oar stirrers, which resemble a small boat oar; and flat ball stirrers, which have a flat stem, topped with a small ball for the user to hold.