a wooden whisk having a corrugated bowl graduating to a smaller central handle surrounded by free-moving hoops. The handle is held between the palms of both hands. As the palms are pressed together and moved counter to one another back and forth, the whisk froths the liquid in which the bowl and hoops are immersed. Traditionally used in Mexican cuisine to froth hot chocolate, the molinillo, including its various hoops/rings, is carved from a single piece of wood and decorated with etched motifs, each whisk unique. The molinillo is used in many Spanish-influenced cultures and in Columbia and the Philippines, for instance, it is called a batidor or batirol.