What does "on the rocks" mean for a drink?

"On the rocks" refers to a drink that is served over ice. This preparation method enhances the drinking experience by chilling the beverage and slightly diluting it as the ice melts, which can soften strong flavors. When a cocktail or spirit is requested "on the rocks," bartenders typically fill a glass with ice cubes and then pour the drink over them, ensuring the drink is cold and refreshing.

Other options provide different styles of serving: shaking without ice results in a frothy cocktail; a fruit garnish adds visual appeal and flavor but does not specify how the drink is served; and serving a drink straight up means it is chilled and then strained into a glass without ice. However, none of these options match the specific definition of "on the rocks."