While throwing a party, it’s not just about having the drinks your guests prefer but also about the way you serve them. Choosing the appropriate glassware is essential, although that doesn’t mean you spend a fortune on a host of different glasses. While some may already have a vast collection of cocktail glasses, most others might be in the process of building their home bar. Making your drinks not only enjoyable but also well-presented can be done by stocking up on a few basic designs of glassware which have versatile uses.
Highball Glass
The tall, upright glass that can accommodate around 250 to 350 millilitres of drinks, is designed for ice-filled beverages. This glass design maintains drink temperature and carbonation and is used interchangeably with a Collins glass, although the former is a bit shorter and wider than the latter. Highball glasses are suitable for serving cocktails like rum and coke, G&T’s or even the classic vodka-soda.
Collins Glass
Often termed a highball glass, the Collins glass distinguishes itself by its taller, more slender design and a marginally larger capacity. Excelling in maintaining your cocktail’s refreshing chill, the Collins is perfect for libations generously diluted with ice and featuring multiple mixers. Named after the classic Tom Collins cocktail, this glass is versatile and serves as an excellent choice for any cocktail designed to be enjoyed over ice – like the mojito or paloma.
Rocks Glass
The rocks glass, also known as an old-fashioned or lowball glass is a short and wide glass with a sturdy base. Unlike the other glasses designed for ice and mixers, the rocks glass is intended for drinks primarily consisting of spirits. Derived from the iconic Old-Fashioned cocktail, which features bourbon and a few dashes of Angostura bitters, these glasses are designed to facilitate muddling, stirring and the addition of one or two large ice cubes.
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Martini Glass
One of the most famous and popular choices of cocktail glasses, the martini glass looks very fancy when held. The glass has a ‘v’ shape which is great for cocktails with few or no mixers. People sometimes call it a cocktail glass, but the real cocktail glass is more rounded and a bit smaller. Use a martini glass for drinks like the martini, cosmopolitan or sidecar.
Coupe Glass
Traditionally created for champagne, the coupe glass has a wide, round shape which causes bubbles to vanish swiftly. Best utilised when used for cocktails like the Manhattan, that require straining and serving up without ice, the design beautifully showcases the drink’s colour, while the elongated stem prevents the warmth of your hand from affecting the glass. Also used to serve drinks like schnapps or the gimlet, the coupe can also be used for drinks like the cosmopolitan.
Copper Mug
This famous cup with a handle is excellent for sipping cold drinks from when it’s hot outside because the metal conducts temperature efficiently. Earlier used for the Moscow mule cocktail, copper is believed to enhance ginger beer and citrus flavours while also making them fizzy. Many copper mugs now have a lining of another material like stainless steel for drinks like the mint julep or greyhound.