Mortars and pestles have been used in cooking since prehistory; they are also frequently associated with the profession of pharmacy due to their historical use in preparing medicines. Mortars and pestles can also be used in chemistry for pulverizing small amounts of chemicals; in arts and cosmetics for pulverizing pigments, binders, and other substances; in ceramics for making grog; in masonry and in other types of construction requiring pulverization of materials. In cooking, mortars and pestle are especially used to crush spices and to make pesto, and certain cocktails, such as the mojito, require the gentle crushing of sugar, ice and mint leaves in the glass with a pestle.