{"id":9516,"date":"2021-01-07T11:39:14","date_gmt":"2021-01-07T16:39:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cocktailhammer.com\/?p=9516"},"modified":"2023-10-31T19:53:53","modified_gmt":"2023-10-31T23:53:53","slug":"cocktail-glasses-the-ultimate-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cocktailhammer.com\/culture-and-community\/cocktail-glasses-the-ultimate-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Cocktail Glasses: The Ultimate Glassware Guide for Beginners"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you’ve ever been to a bar, you’ve probably spent some time staring at the wall of crystal behind the bartender. What are all those funny-looking glasses? Cone ones, concave ones, twisty and tall ones, it seems like there’s no end to the number of cocktail glasses you never knew existed or what they could be used for. And does the shape of the glass even matter? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"An
An assortment of illustrated cocktail glasses.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There are a multitude of cocktail glasses out there with different shapes, colors, and sizes. So, if you’re looking to find out all there is to know about cocktail glasses, you’ve come to the right place because in this post, we’re going to go over everything you need to know in this definitive guide to cocktail glasses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But before we cover the differences between cocktail glasses, we must first explain what a cocktail glass is and what it’s used for.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is a Cocktail Glass?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"The
The anatomy of a cocktail glass.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A cocktail glass is a container made specifically for the consumption of an alcoholic beverage. They are usually made of glass; however, they can be made of plastic or metal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cocktail glassware generally falls under two categories; stemware (glasses with a long stem) and tumblers (flat bottom glasses with no stems or handles), but more on that later. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Do We Use Different Cocktail Glasses?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cocktail glasses are not just there to complicate your local bartender’s life. The choice of glassware greatly influences the enjoyment of the drinking experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everything from the scent of the drink to how quickly the drink is to be consumed will be predicated by the cocktail glass. Additionally, different cocktails require different volume capacities, garnish requirements, aromatic considerations, and thermal considerations. This means the right cocktail in the wrong glass can fundamentally alter the enjoyment of the cocktail. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Drinking
Drinking from wine glass.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The choice of drinkware can also serve as a means of identifying a cocktail and serve as a representation of the cocktail\u2019s rich history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The glass can also affect how fast ice melts. This is why many cocktails use stemmed glasses, which prevent over dilution due to thermal lag. Holding the cocktail by the stem of the glass as opposed to the body of the glass prevents the warmth from your hands from compromising the integrity of the drink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s important to note that while stemmed glasses are used to prevent this thermal exchange, some glasses encourage this heat transfer to release aromatics in the drink or promote mild ice dilution. This of course will be dependent on the drink, which is why we must always use the right glass for the right drink. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glass vs. Plastic vs. Metal Cocktail Grinkwear<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Glass
Glass cocktail glass vs. Metal cocktail glass.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As we alluded to earlier, not all drinkware is made of glass. Some are made of plastic and metallic materials. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plastic receptacles (typically polycarbonate) are more resistant against heavy impacts, but they often retain a horrible faded washed look even when new. Light does not shine through plastic as it does for glass. This is why we always recommend going for glass if it’s within your budget or if the venue is suitable for glassware. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are a few cocktails that are meant to be served in a metallic receptacle. For instance, the Moscow Mule, and the Mint Julip are both served in a copper mug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, If you look hard enough, you can find just about any cocktail glass in metallic form. You may also find cocktails that call for a ceramic mug such as a Tiki drink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can I Put Cocktail Glasses in the Freezer?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Placing glassware in the freezer to chill beforehand is normal. Just make sure not to leave significant amounts of water in the glass, or it might expand during the freezing process and crack the glass. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you need to chill down a glass quickly, you can place ice cubes and water in the glass and then dump out the water right before you use it to serve your cocktail.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which Cocktail Glasses Do I Need to Start a Home Bar?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Wall
Wall of cocktail glasses<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The secret to knowing which cocktail glasses you need to start your home bar is to own the glasses you feel you will use the most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Don\u2019t break the bank stocking up on glassware you will rarely use.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

If you find yourself drinking a lot of cocktails with carbonated drinks, stock up on highball glasses. If you and your friends are more beer drinkers, load up on Pint, Pilsner, and Mugs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shot and shooter glasses are small, cheap, and easy to store, so have a few of those lying around. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you rarely drink wine, just keep one or two glasses for when you have company. Just don\u2019t break the bank stocking up on glassware you will rarely use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to, Maintain, and Store Cocktail Glasses?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Broken wine glass.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Most unstemmed glasses are dishwasher safe. However, stemmed glasses might need to be hand-washed to keep them from snapping or chipping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you see any glass is chipped, we would, unfortunately, recommend you throw that one out and buy another. Chipped glass can lead to cuts on your hands, mouth and can be very dangerous if ingested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Take precautions when stacking glasses next to each other to avoid scratches on the exterior<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Before storing your glassware, always make sure it\u2019s clean and smudge-free. Holding stemmed cocktail glasses by the stem will prevent fingerprints from getting on the face of the glass. Holding it up to the light will reveal any streaks or fingerprints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take precautions when stacking glasses next to each other to avoid scratches on the exterior. Rocks glasses and shooter glasses are often stackable. Stacking these glasses can save you considerable shelf space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your glassware has been shelved for some time, remember to wash it beforehand and even polish it with a lint-free cloth when possible. The video below shows you how to properly polish a wine glass, but the principle will be just about the same for all glasses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n