Edition #15: Drink Markers
Knowing which drink is yours has never been cooler.
Drink markers as a concept are not all too unknown, but the lavish designs that dominated the era of cocktail parties are second to none. Parties in the mid-century were more than just friends gathering for a few beers and burgers. People got dressed up, themes were often involved, and there needed to be a stylish way for drinks to be differentiated. These below are made from glass, plastic, and metal and some even come in their own storage container. The tongue-in-cheek nature of these really drives home just how much people enjoyed throwing parties.
Continental Art Deco Silver Place Numbers 1-12 Drink Markers Box Bluish Lining on eBay: This is the style that inspired the search, because these are legit silver drink markers that come in their own velvet-lined box. They’re beautifully engraved and just remind me that we don’t make pretty things for no reason anymore.
Set of 10 Vintage Wine Charms Cocktail Glass Markers Identifiers~NOS Made in Germany on Etsy: Mounted on tiny clothes-pin like clips, these markers feature lots of good luck charms and flowers.
1970's Lucite Cocktail Dinner Party Accessories Hors d'oeuvre Sticks Swizzle Sticks Cocktail Glass Markers on Etsy: I don’t know what this character is, but my brain keeps telling me it’s the Monopoly man on vacation. This collection also comes with swizzle sticks for stirring and marking.
11 VINTAGE Plastic German Lucky DRINK MARKER CHARMS & stirring sticks w/base on eBay: Another set that features swizzle sticks, as well as many lucky symbols like a horseshoe, 4-leaf clover, elephant, and more.
Beautiful glass marker carousel on Etsy: This stunning carousel of markers features little hanging glass grapes in varying colors. Pair these with a grape lamp and you’re set.
Vintage Fruit Glass Marker Set, 1950s Home Bar Decor on Etsy: Fruits! I love the color shading on the peach and apple, though I’m not sure I can name what all of these are supposed to be.
Funny markers from the 50s for glasses on Etsy: Look at this little guy! He’s just trying his best to do a good job of holding all of the drink markers on their hoop.
Vintage Brass Drink Markers on Etsy: While on the smaller size, this set features molded brass identifiers that represent the type of cocktail it is. We’ve got Scotch, Screwdriver, Bloody May, Stinger, and…another Scotch.
Vintage Kilroy Drink Identifiers on Etsy: The drawings of Kilroy was here gained prominence during WWII and proceeded to appear practically everywhere. Weirdly, the character’s name is actually Chad (in the UK, at least).
Rare Atq Boxed Silvergilt + Enamel🍹DRINK GLASS MARKERS🍸 on eBay: Another incredible set of silver drink markers. These also feature enamel inlaid into the design of these sweet pansies.
Honorable Mentions:
What terms were searched:
Drink markers
Drink identifiers
Glass markers
Cocktail markers
Welcome to Finder’s Keepers
This is the newsletter dedicated to leaving no vintage stone unturned. Each edition will cater to a rabbit hole that I fell down one night and include an assortment of vintage finds that make you question “Why did anyone own this?” followed quickly by “Should I own this?”
My method is simple: I attach a keyword or phrase to the item and go digging, spending hours each week combing through hundreds of pages of Etsy and Ebay bric-a-brac. It’s chaotic but satisfactory, like looking through every rack and bin at a thrift store for those that partake in the more visceral act of going in person. I like to sit on my couch.