Introduction
The glassware you serve your drinks in says a lot about you and your entertaining abilities. Everyday glassware is great for, well, everyday, except when you’re throwing a nice party or having someone over for a special evening. Glassware, like your serving plates, adds every bit to your meal as much as the meal itself.
If you have glassware that’s been around for years, consider changing it out for a new look and feel. If you’re just starting to build your bar glassware, you’re in the driver’s seat. Take your time. You can not only find fun and interesting glassware in today’s stores, you can find them in lots of other places too. Stop in some of those antique stores, thrift stores or flea markets you drive past everyday. There’s untold glassware out there just screaming for a home, and for a lot less than today’s trendy stores.
So have fun and make your bar glassware part of the party.
Martini – Frosted Crystal
There are lots of real cool martini glasses out there to choose from. If you want to impress someone, upping the quality of your martini glass may not be a bad idea, but be careful, they do tend to tip and break. Otherwise, find a nice set that’s inexpensive so you won’t miss’m later.
Martini – Rocks
Serving martinis on ice requires a glass that’s not as large as your typical tumbler or cocktail glass for obvious reasons. Also, a larger glass holds more ice which will melt in larger quantity and dramatically offset the taste of the martini. Some dilution is good, but too much isn’t.
Martini – Based (photo not included)
One of the newer styles on the market is a v-shaped glass with no stem, but rather, a large ball at the base of the “v” so the glass sits up-right on the ball. It looks a bit tippy to me. Why waste good vodka?
Martini – Cooler (photo not included)
Another cool looking martini glass is v-shaped but no stem or ball base. It actually rests in another glass that you fill with ice to keep it cold. It’s a great idea, but if you move about, you’re carrying two glasses around with you, not to mention the washing.
Red Wine – Waterford
Red wine glasses are curved inward at the top of the glass to create a bowl effect that captures the aroma of the wine after being swirled. As you bring your lips to the rim of the glass, your nose is positioned over the opening to take in the full character of the wine’s particular variety.
Red Wine – Deep
Red wine glasses come in many shapes. Some are very round while others are long and deep. The shape is a personal preference, but make sure it’s quality stemware if you can afford it. And buy back-up sets because they tend to break at the table or at the sink.
Champagne – Crystal
Champagne glasses usually come in two varieties; the tall fluted style or the short rounded type that you see at most weddings. Pouring champagne in a fluted glass takes patience because if you over pour, the bubbles will topple over the glass and make a mess, so take it slow.
Champagne – Fluted
Don’t go crazy on the cost of champagne glasses unless you can afford it. They just aren’t used that often. If you want to throw nice intimate dinners that are more formal, then a set of four quality glasses will do nicely. Otherwise, find some glass ones.
Highball
A highball glass is a standard glass that you probably already have, but generally they are used for mixed drinks that people like to drink with more mix than liquor – vodka tonic tall, for example. If you use a glass that’s too big, it will not provide the best tasting drink.
Tumbler
A tumbler is the traditional name for a rocks glass that is used for the standard mixed drink. If you can find a matching set of both highball and low ball, then you have the makings of a good bar set-up. If you’re looking for matching sets, check out your area antique or thrift stores.
Cocktail
A cocktail glass is basically your tumbler, but if you’re creative, you can find some real interesting ones that make a statement. There are some fun ones in the more trendy stores, or you can go on a scavenger hunt and rummage through flea markets and estate sales.
Margarita
Nothing says margarita better than pouring one from a glass pitcher into a real margarita glass. This uniquely shaped glass is perfect for both frozen or on the rocks variety. Don’t forget the salt and squeeze of lime. And yes, you could use this glass for other exotic drinks too.
Hurricane
Here’s your quintessential exotic drink glass – the hurricane. I don’t know how it got its name, but it’s the standard for your blue Hawaiian or other fruity topical drinks. These glasses are inexpensive and nice to have on hand if you get the urge to offer your guests a quick vacation.
Brandy Snifter
Brandy drinking may not be as fashionable as it was years ago, but I’d still have a set of four on hand for your guests. Besides brandy, they are also good for certain liqueurs such as peppermint schnapps. Like the red wine glass, it’s designed to capture the full fragrance of the brandy.
Sherry – Etched Crystal
Sherry drinkers have probably disappeared from the drinking scene, but if you’ve been handed down glassware from previous generations, you probably have a set of small sherry glasses. This is my grandmother’s and with the glass comes the memories of her sipping from it.
Apertif
This small glass is used for apertifs, or liqueurs that you might have before dinner to help stimulate the appetite. Lillet or either red or white Dubonnet are examples of apertifs, but this is a very French thing and not very common in the U.S. You could use it as a classy shot glass.
Cooler
When the heat of the summer comes, I picture an old farmer on the front porch with a slim tall glass in his hand filled with something cold to quench his thirst. It could be a vodka lemonade, mojito or perhaps a mint julep, but whatever it is, it tastes so much better in a glass like this.
Old-Fashion
Old-Fashions were once so popular that they even used the same name for the glass you would use to construct the drink. And I do mean construct – a cube of sugar and orange slice, muddled, a dash of bitters, ice, brandy or bourbon, sweet vermouth, and splash of 7-Up or Sprite.
Cordial
Every bar needs a cordial glass. These glasses are used for your creamier after dinner drinks such as Baileys, Frangelico, or Kahlua. These glasses are meant for sipping these kinds of liqueurs that help coat the stomach and provide some comfort after a filling meal.
Parfait
This is best described as a mini-hurricane glass ideal for fun drinks that offer a touch of the tropics but without the volume. They’re perfect for a simple creative summer drink that is fun for your guests to sip on when they arrive, or perhaps for an ice cream drink at the end of a meal.
Beer
Beer glasses come in many shapes and sizes, so there’s not much to add here except there’s nothing that says you’re the host with the most than when you offer a frosted glass with their beer. It’s seldom done which is why you make it special for your guests, so keep plenty in the freezer.
Water
If you like to throw nice parties with a touch of style or class, then use a nice water glass for the table. I always have plenty of water on hand for guests to enjoy without asking, and having a large yet stylish glass for water will ensure your guests are well hydrated. Don’t forget the ice.
Latte
For lattes, I prefer large clear coffee mugs so people can enjoy the color of the drink and the foam on top. These glasses are also ideal for Irish coffees, hot chocolate drinks, and of course, coffee. If you’re on the ball, you’ll preheat the glass with hot water so the real drink stays warm.
Cappuccino/Double Espresso/Tea
This clear glass is great for cappuccinos, but it’s also ideal for double espressos and hot tea. It’s smaller than the latte glass but larger than the petite espresso cups. Again, you can see the color and foam layer of the cappuccino or when the tea is ready for drinking.
Espresso
You can have fun with espresso cups because there’s lots of options to choose from. This one happens to also come with a matching small dessert plate that is an ideal complement after a delicious meal. Don’t forget the small demitasse spoon, cube of raw sugar or twist of lemon.
Sherbet – Crystal
Serving dessert in nice glassware can really make a statement to cap off the perfect dinner. This leaded crystal glass, compliments of my grandmother, is ideal for serving sherbet or ice cream. It could also double as a champagne glass for a more formal affair.
White Wine – Crystal
White wine is typically served in wine glasses that are smaller in size than the red. Its shape is also not as important since most white wine is served chilled and therefore not as aromatic as the room temperature reds. It’s good to let the whites warm up a bit so their flavors are released.
Soft Drink
I like to serve soft drinks in large glassware that holds plenty of ice. This one happens to match a tumbler that’s ideal for informal entertaining when you don’t want or need your best glassware. Make sure you have coasters that fit the base of the glasses used for cold drinks.
