Glassware Overview
Most cocktail recipes suggest a type of glassware that works well with that drink and knowing a Highball glass from an Old-fashioned is important. The significance of using an appropriate glass can make or break the look of your wonderful cocktail. Also take into consideration that making a "double" or "triple" martini in a Highball glass may be fun now but you may feel differently about it in the morning. The determining factor when choosing the appropriate glass for a cocktail should be that the amount of liquid in a drink be compatible with the size of glass, that simple. Within this growing tour of glassware I have also marked a few of the glasses as a "Must-Have" for the home bar. Use this feature to choose the essential glassware to buy for your new bar. When shopping for glasses, don't be afraid to step out of the box. Be creative and add flare to your drinks by choosing unique glass designs like those below.
Cocktail Glass
The familiar conical shape of the Cocktail Glass makes most of us think of Martinis and so it should. Martinis, other classic cocktails and neat drinks that are between 3 and 6 ounces are commonly seen in a Cocktail Glass (or Martini Glass).
Ideal for:
Highball Glass
Highball Glasses are large tumblers that hold between 8 and 12 ounces and can easily replace a Collins glass. This glass is generally used for mixed drinks that have a high proportion of mixer to liquor, such as scotch and soda, bourbon and water, etc.
Ideal for:
Cocktail Glass
The familiar conical shape of the Cocktail Glass makes most of us think of Martinis and so it should. Martinis, other classic cocktails and neat drinks that are between 3 and 6 ounces are commonly seen in a Cocktail Glass (or Martini Glass).
Ideal for:
Highball Glass
Highball Glasses are large tumblers that hold between 8 and 12 ounces and can easily replace a Collins glass. This glass is generally used for mixed drinks that have a high proportion of mixer to liquor, such as scotch and soda, bourbon and water, etc.
Ideal for:
- Highballs
- Bloody Mary
- Other tall drinks
- Beer
- Soda
Old-Fashioned Glass
Sometimes called a lowball or rocks glass, the Old-fashioned Glass is a squat tumbler that holds between 5 and 10 ounces. Typically used for short mixed drinks and anything on the rocks.
Ideal for:
Ideal for:
- Black and White Russians
- Old-fashioneds
- Mai Tais
- "On the Rocks" drinks
Champagne Flute
The Champagne Flute is a tall, thin, tapered glass that holds between 7 and 11 ounces and is perfect for Champagne Cocktails. The purpose of the flute design is to keep the bubbles in the flute longer; with less surface area exposed to the air, the bubbles can't escape as fast.
Ideal for:
Ideal for:
- Champagne Cocktails
- Champagne
Collins Glass
A Collins Glass is an optional addition to the home bar as it is interchangeable with the highball glass. Used primarily for any Collins drink, it is a narrow tumbler that holds between 8 and 12 ounces.
Ideal for:
Ideal for:
- Tom Collins
- Zombies
- Long Island Iced Tea
Irish Coffee Glass
The Irish Coffee Glass replaces the average mug for good-looking hot cocktails. This footed glass mug holds between 8 and 12 ounces and is made of heat-resistant glass.
Ideal for:
- Hot Buttered Rum
- Hot Toddy
- All hot drinks
Hurricane Glass
A Hurricane Glass is typically used for frozen and blended cocktails. The distinct pear-shaped curve of this glass is reminiscent of vintage hurricane lamps and holds between 10 and 12 ounces.
Ideal for:
Ideal for:
- Frozen Piña Coladas
- Coco Coladas
- Blended cocktails
- Frozen cocktails
Margarita Glass
This is the perfect and true way to serve a Margarita. The wide bowl of the Margarita Glass is usually 5 inches in diameter and makes for easy rimming with salt. While normal sized glasses hold between 12 and 20 ounces the Super Margarita Glass is available and will hold up to 60 ounces of liquid for the ultimate Margarita party.
Ideal for:
Ideal for:
- Margaritas
Shot Glass
The shot glass is one of the best known glasses in any bar. The size of Shot Glasses available varies greatly but the average shot is 1 1/2 ounces. A "short shot", or "pony shot", is another common size that holds only 1 ounce. Typically a Shot Glass is made of a thick glass, especially at the base. This thick glass is meant to absorb the shock of being slammed on a table or bar, something that often happens after a person consumes its potent contents. Novelty and nostalgic Shot Glasses are collector's items that often display promotions for events, places and company brand names. The more interesting novelty glasses depict cartoons, humorous situations or sayings.
Ideal for:
Ideal for:
- Shooters
- Playing the "Quarters" drinking game
