Glassware: The Long and Short of It

Published on Tuesday, March 13, 2007, by Rob Chirico / Edit Post

GLASSWARE:
THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT

Glasses come in all shapes and sizes.

By Rob Chirico

A fine cocktail is as much a pleasure to behold as it is to drink. It is said that the champagne goblet was modeled on Marie Antoinette’s breast. Glasses, like breasts, come in all shapes and sizes. Lead crystal, which possesses an almost lofty musical tone—and a price to match—should be your glass of choice. The best glasses are thin lipped yet have a substantial feel. Always choose a long-stemmed glass for cold drinks served without ice. As tempting as it may be to grab the bowl of a cocktail or other stemmed glass—or as necessary as it may be after imbibing several—the purpose of the stem is to keep body heat away from the beverage. Do not be seduced by colossal goblets just because they are fashionable: Keep in mind the effect of two martinis and stick to the more traditional 4- or 5-ounce glass, which will ensure visual elegance and a clearer head.

Which glasses and how many should you buy? If you like to entertain but are on a budget, there are kitchenware stores to accommodate you. Always buy more than you need, because it is easier to go to your closet when one breaks than it is to head back to the store. Also, glasses go out of fashion, and your favorite may no longer be available. You should also have a special cache of glasses just for special occasions.

Beer mug, stein, and pilsner glass. These glasses are popular for beer-based cocktails.
Brandy snifter. This type of glass ranges from a small, 4-ounce globe, which can fit neatly into the palm of the hand, to a balloon-sized, 24-ounce Goliath.
Champagne flute and glass. The flute is favored over the saucer champagne glass because the former keeps the bubbles from dissipating too quickly.
Cocktail or martini glass. Although martinis have been around for more than a century, the familiar triangular glass shape did not come into vogue until the 1950s. Prior to that, cocktail glasses came in all shapes and sizes, but they all had stems.
Collins or chimney glass. This is a tall, slim, frosted glass ideal for summer drinks.
Cordial glass. This glass, stemmed or not, is also called a pony glass.
Highball glass. A standard for a traditional mixed drink, such as a Bloody Mary or a gin and tonic.
Irish coffee mug. This glass, which has a handle, is used for all hot drinks.
Margarita glass. Although the margarita may be served in any stemmed glassware, its popularity has generated festive, ample-bowled glasses specifically for this drink.
Old-fashioned or rocks glass. Also known as an on-the-rocks glass, this glass can be straight sided or barrel shaped.
Pousse Café glass. This glass resembles a cordial glass, but it usually flares out slightly at the top.
Punch bowl and glasses. Usually sold in sets, these glasses and bowls range from simple, clear glass to elaborate cut crystal.
Sherry glass. This glass is ideal for apéritifs.
Shot glass. This glass does not vary beyond a 1- to 2-ounce capacity.
Sour glass. The slender sister to her brother, the cocktail glass.
Special glasses. These may include hurricane glasses, mugs, goblets, and the like.
Wineglasses. Choose red or white wineglasses for frozen drinks.

Reprinted with permission from Field Guide to Cocktails (Quirk Books, 2005).

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POST A COMMENT |5 Comments

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  • I love it ! Nice pictures. Noce story !

  • One that I feel was left out, though you could easily argue that it falls into the "Specialty Glasses" is the Thistle Glass for most Ales, Stouts and non-Pilsner beers. However, since the Hurricane glass WAS mentioned, and the cousin, the Squall glass is almost identical to the Thistle, I suppose that I am splitting hairs - or glasses, as the case may be.

    As to wines in different glasses - I'd...+READ

    One that I feel was left out, though you could easily argue that it falls into the "Specialty Glasses" is the Thistle Glass for most Ales, Stouts and non-Pilsner beers. However, since the Hurricane glass WAS mentioned, and the cousin, the Squall glass is almost identical to the Thistle, I suppose that I am splitting hairs - or glasses, as the case may be.

    As to wines in different glasses - I'd suggest attending a Riedel glassware tasting and see for yourself. I've poured the same wine, blind to the experienced taster, into 3 diff. glasses, and had almost 100% results. They typify the wine in the typical bar-glass as being an inferior, say Cab, while the wine in the better glass as being a top-notch Cab. Most go on to extole the virtues a "Reserve" Cab, when confronted by the wine in fine crystal wine glass, somewhat designed for that varietal. It doesn't make me want to throw out my Waterfords, or my Riedel Vinums and buy the Riedel Sommelier line for everything under the sun, but this little parlor trick has fooled nearly everyone, who I've exposed to it. Note: the taster could see and feel the glass, but just did not know that it was the same wine in each. If I blindfolded them, we'd probably have a lot of wine spills to clean up.
    Hunt-COLLAPSE

  • I hate drinking margaritas on wine glasses.

  • My new favorite thing is the lovely set of Mikasa "Open Up" wine glasses that my dh got me for Christmas. They're a different shape than traditional red, white, sparkling, etc. wine glasses. Scratch that - there have been so many styles over the years, "traditional" really doesn't mean anything. There's a new design intended to highlight the flavors of white, sweet, sparkling, take-yer-pick...+READ

    My new favorite thing is the lovely set of Mikasa "Open Up" wine glasses that my dh got me for Christmas. They're a different shape than traditional red, white, sparkling, etc. wine glasses. Scratch that - there have been so many styles over the years, "traditional" really doesn't mean anything. There's a new design intended to highlight the flavors of white, sweet, sparkling, take-yer-pick wines. They're also break-resistant.

    I have not done a back-to-back tasting with the same wine in the new Mikasa glass and in our regular wine glasses to see if they're really all that. I'd like to, but I hven't had time. It would be nice to hear from anyone out there that has had a chance to compare.

    Here's a link with pictures:
    http://www.mikasaandcompany.com/control/category/~category_id=OPENUP-COLLAPSE

  • Ah yes, another list of glass types that mentions a whole bunch of them, most of which are unnecessary. There's five basic kinds of glasses for a good start on a bar setup, and those are:

    Single rocks glass (~7 oz)
    Double rocks glass (14-16 oz)
    Highball glass (~16 oz)
    Cocktail glass (No more than 7 oz)
    Red wine glass (The bigger the better)

    Get the rest on the article's list as necessary. The...+READ

    Ah yes, another list of glass types that mentions a whole bunch of them, most of which are unnecessary. There's five basic kinds of glasses for a good start on a bar setup, and those are:

    Single rocks glass (~7 oz)
    Double rocks glass (14-16 oz)
    Highball glass (~16 oz)
    Cocktail glass (No more than 7 oz)
    Red wine glass (The bigger the better)

    Get the rest on the article's list as necessary. The next things I'd add would be beer glasses (pilsners or pints), white wine glasses, champagne flutes, and one of the mini glasses; sherry, cordial, and shot glasses all have their specialty purposes, but are easily interchangeable. Incidentally, the Margarita glass pictured is the champagne saucer, also known as a champagne coupe. They're nice for frozen drinks, but the red wine glasses work just fine for me.-COLLAPSE