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I would guess that the thinking behind this is due to concerns about corrosive liquids and acid/bleach attacks, although I am not aware of any having taken place or been attempted in any court.

While I can understand the court wishing to prevent court users bringing in alcohol I can't see how requiring anyone to dip their drink would address that .

On a practical level, court issued ID for solicitors and other professionals, exempting them from bag and drinks searches, would be a sensible way to address concerns about volatile defendants, or litigants with a grudge, bring harmful substances into court.

(I recall, years ago, when my (then) local magistrates court first had a metal detector and bag searches put in place, the staff did wave through local lawyers, as they knew and recognised them, but I don't suppose that they are allowed to use their discretion in that way any longer)