From what I have seen on the Internet “On the rocks” in the past had nothing to do with ice, but with pebbles from the Scottish rivers which would cool whiskey without diluting it. Sounds about right but I am not an expert.
Always take such factoids culled from the Internet with a grain of salt. Other than my factoids, of course! :-D The phrase "on the rocks" to describe a beverage served with ice was coined circa 1946 and is American in original In the early part of the 20th century, barbaric Americans traditionally drank their Scotch in the form of a highball - scotch mixed with seltzer water and ice. As our palates slowly became more sophisticated, we learned that soda water diluted the flavor too much. So those sophisticates who were trying to capture the taste of Scotch as God and some distiller in Aberdeen intended started ordering their whiskey "on the rocks" to indicate they wanted ice but no water.
Of course, any upright whiskey-drinkin' American knows that
bourbon is made to be served "neat" - no ice.
It's made to be sipped.
Um, not that I ever drink the stuff, of course. :drinking: