muddle

Muddle is a word with several related senses in English. As a verb, it most commonly means to crush, mash, or mix substances, especially in cooking or drink preparation, so as to release flavors. It can also mean to mix things in a disorganized or confused way, or to perplex or confuse someone. As a noun, muddle can denote a state of confusion or a mixture produced by muddling; in culinary and bar contexts, it may refer to the resulting blended mass.

Origin and usage: The word dates from the 16th century, with uncertain origins. It has historically been linked to the idea of a lump or mass and later extended to mean mixing or stirring, as well as metaphorical states of disorder.

Bar and culinary use: Muddling is a bartending technique that uses a muddler to press leaves, fruits, or sugar against the bottom of a glass to release essential oils and flavors before adding liquids. Classic cocktails that rely on muddling include the mojito (mint and lime) and the caipirinha (lime).

Proper technique involves gentle, even pressure to avoid tearing herbs or over-extracting bitter compounds.

Figurative usage: Phrases such as muddle through describe getting by in a difficult situation, while muddled thinking describes unclear or confused reasoning.

See also: muddler, muddle (disambiguation).