Sipping the South: Beer huggie, candom, drink sheath?

Koozie, coastie, coldy-holdy, cozy. Whatever you call this popular insulated beverage jacket, the koozie is a Southern drinking mainstay. But before we break out the CL junk drawer and show you favorites from our collective office stash, a little history.

While the centuries-old “egg cozy” and “tea cozy” could be considered beta versions of the modern beverage wetsuit, the koozie’s origins are somewhat fuzzy. Some sources credit its roots to Australia, where it emerged as the “stubby holder” in the 1970s.

Others suggest the drinkware accessory first made its way to America in the ’80s when a Texas-based company, Radio Cap Corporation, registered a trademark for the name “koozie.”

The koozie trademark is now owned by France’s Société Bic (yes, of ballpoint pen fame). But beyond nomenclature, a bigger debate surrounds another question:

Does the koozie keep your hand warm or your drink cool? Around these parts, the answer is the latter. Up north, it's another story.

Here are a few of CL’s collectible koozies, culled from a total of nearly 40.

THE BEACHGOER

What says Florida sipping more than a hand-painted palm tree koozie, or one decorated with Indian Rocks Beach’s Tiki Gardens?

THE BURT TWINS

Two things that bring me unspeakable joy.

THE I’D-RATHER-BE-DRINKING-LIQUOR

For those rare moments where you might crack open a cold one.

THE HOMER

Yes.

THE LOCALISTA


Koozies repping popular Tampa Bay destinations: Skyway Jack’s, Planet Retro Records, Bo-Tiki, Daddy Kool Records and The Hub.

THE THERMOS

The ultimate drink snuggies.

THE WOOZIE

These babies can be adjusted to fit tight on other alcohol vessels (wine glass, anyone?), not just beer.

This article appears in Feb 11-17, 2016.