Overview
CocktailSort layers color like a well-built drink, and tidy technique makes the board taste better. Protect a buffer glass first so staging never collapses under pressure. Extract in order, prioritizing saturated hues that clarify the palette before subtle tones. Finish one glass early to earn permanent space; the newly empty vessel becomes a staging station that reduces move count for the rest of the solve. Read tops like layers—destination should extend a run, not just accept a ball—and avoid cosmetic lifts that don’t improve sequence length or freedom. Gradients can mislead; solve strong hues first so later refinement happens in cleaner contexts. The satisfying part is how one neat finish rewrites the table—suddenly two-step chains appear, rare colors sit near the top, and misplacements correct themselves through honest staging. Treat moves as investments; lifts that enable pairs or finishes pay dividends, while single shuttles rarely do. By the end, stacks look composed, and the board feels like a bar top you arranged with care.