On the rocks

On the rocks ( literally translated: " On the stones / rocks " ) refers to the way of making a drink with ice cubes by first are some ice cubes in a glass and pours the drink then on the ice (which rocks ). Mainly found this definition for alcoholic drinks application; for example: whiskey on the rocks.

Some sources (eg Scotch whiskey manufacturers ) claim regarding the origin of this phrase as follows: Before the invention of electrical refrigeration and freezing devices were for cooling a beverage cold, used smooth river pebbles. Especially the ice-cold rivers and streams of Scotland hold even today there is always enough "rocks " for the drinking pleasure ready.

In America, the term Scotch on the rocks was introduced in the late 1940s. Before whiskey was primarily diluted with ice and soda water, which was not applied from the middle of the 20th century. Some sources report dramatic declines in relation to the sale of soda water.