Most glasses are specially designed to show of a designated beverage to the best of their ability or to enhance the drink, while also catering to the needs and wants of the consumer. Some glasses, (especially wine glasses), can actually make the drink taste different based off the shape of the wine glass. Let's talk about 15 different glasses and their best uses.
#1 The Cocktail/Martini
This glass, just like it's name portrays is used to serve cocktails, mainly without ice. These glasses comes in various designs and sizes but generally feature the same cone shape bowl allowing the taste and smell of the drink to both be inhaled easily. Drink Ideas: Martini, Cosmo, Manhattan, Gimlet, Sidecar.
#2 Margarita
The Margarita is similar to the cocktail glass, and comes in many variations. These are great party glasses and allow drinks to be served with style and playfulness. Drink Ideas: Cadillac Margarita, Blue Lagoon, Margarita.
#3 Highball/Collins
Taller than most glasses and perfect for mixed drinks and cocktails. Generally used with a drink that contains more mixer than alcohol. Drink Ideas: Mojito, Gin & Tonic, Bloody Mary.
#4 Old Fashioned/Rocks
Easy to hold and handle these style glasses have been around for a long time. These glasses are used for short mixed drinks or alcohol on ice. They generally feature a strong sturdy base and straight sides. Drink Ideas: Bourbon Cocktail, Sazerac, Old Fashioned Cocktail, Whiskey on the rocks.
#5 Shot Glass
The shot glass is a very common glass best used for...taking shots. Most shot glasses have solid bases and are very sturdy. They are the perfect glasses for straight shots or for tasting and comparing drinks. Drink Ideas: Jägermeister, Washington Apple, Four Horseman, Kamikaze Shot.
#6 The Cordial
Similar looking to the shot glass to Cordial is a slimmer taller glass. It is used for sweeter drinks such as small layered drink or liqueurs. It is designed to serve a small yet powerful drink in a beautifully elegant glass. Drink Ideas: Dessert wines, Irish Cream liqueurs, Miniature Desserts.
#7 Copper Mug
This mug is the perfect mug specially designed for drinks like the Moscow Mule. The Copper of the mug acts as a thermal conductor and will react with the ice of a cold drink, keeping the beverage perfectly chilled. Similarly if you are drinking a hot drink out of a copper mug it will stay hotter for much longer, which is not always ideal depending on the hot drink. Drink Ideas: Moscow Mule, Original Margarita, Dark N Stormy, Gin & Tonic, Hot Chocolate.
#8 Hurricane
The Hurricane glass is great for fun and more fruity cocktails. It usually flares at the opening like a blooming flower, to allow for creative toppings. The tall nature of the glass and generally larger volume allows for weaker drinks and colorful layers. Drink Ideas: Hurricane, Pina Colada, Blue Hawaii, Hawaiian Sunrise.
#10 Juice
Like the name suggests these glasses are mainly designed for serving juice. They are a popular choice for breakfast juices and are designed as a smaller glass to limit the amount of "sugary" juice that is served. Drink Ideas: Orange Juice, Apple Juice, Mango Nectar, Guava Juice, Fruit & Spinach Smoothie.
#11 Pilsner
The Pilsner was designed to show off a pilsner beer, featuring the light color a pilsner beer presents. The glass is tall, wider at the top and taper down towards the base. This unique cone shape design is not just for looks but allows the beer to keep its carbonation for longer. Drink Ideas: Pilsner Urquell Beer, Summit Keller Pils, Live Oak Pilz, Upland Brewing Company Champagne Velvet.
#12 Goblet
The Goblet has been used for both hot and cold drinks and is a great glass for retaining the beverage temperature, due to its normally thicker walls. It is a glass steeped with history and is often considered fancy old fashioned. Drink Ideas: Water, Irish Coffee, Rum Punch, Belgian Ales.
#13 Red Wine
The red wine glass is designed to be a wider shaped wine glass to allow the maximum amount of oxygen to come into contact with the wine. This allows the flavors in the wine to open up, adding exotic notes to the taste of the wine. Drink Ideas: Argentina Trivento Malbec Reserve, ORENO 2018, Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Unánime Gran Vino Tinto.
#14 White Wine
White wine glasses are built with smaller openings, and straighter sides as they do not require as much aeration and red wines. They often also have taller stems to keep the consumers warm hand away from the wine/ This allows the wine to remain cool and enjoyable, as white wines are better at cooler temperatures. Drink Ideas: Domaine Lavantureux ‘Bougros’ Chablis Grand Cru 2016, Anselmo Mendes Tempo 2016, Tablas Creek Vineyard Esprit Blanc 2019, Hanna Sauvignon Blanc 2019.
#15 Champagne
The Champagne glass is generally tall and slender built to keep the fizz for as long as possible. Its height allows decorations and champagne cocktails to be added and displayed easily. Drink Ideas: Champagne Victoire Brut Rose, Moët & Chandon Brut Rosé Champagne, Armand de Brignac Ace of Spades Brut Rosé Champagne, Champagne Victoire Brut Prestige.
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