currently, the cocktail umbrella has become an important part of the drinks it is found on. it has become a garnish that is essential to the identities of these drinks. cocktail garnishes started being used in the 19th century, with non-edible garnishes being introduced after prohibition. two examples of these non-edible garnishes are cocktail umbrellas and swizzle sticks. since their introduction, cocktail umbrellas use as a garnish has become a large part of their purpose. as a garnish, they complete the drink's presentation and identify it as tropical. however, cocktail umbrellas differ from other drink garnishes. unlike foods commonly used as garnishes, such as cherries, olives, or citrus, cocktail umbrellas do not add to the flavor of the drink and have a purely aesthetic purpose.