Stocking glassware for your bar or restaurant can often be a daunting proposition. With so many different types and styles of glassware , it is only natural to wonder if you are buying the “right” glassware to properly compliment your drink menu. Although the “rules” concerning what drinks go into what sort of glass are mostly arbitrary (reasonable customers will forgive you for not always having exactly the correct glass for every occasion), having a variety of different glasses in which to serve your various drinks will help add interest and flair to your beverage offerings. The types of glasses that you need, however, will ultimately depend on what sort of drinks that you are going to be putting into them. Here is a quick overview of the “necessary” glasses for different kinds of beverages.
Beer
Because the only major concern involved in serving beer is simply pouring liquid from one container to another, beer glassware tends to be fairly straightforward. For most types of beer, a simple 16 oz. conical pint glass (sometimes called a tapered or mixing glass) will suffice. “Nonic” pint glasses are also a good choice, as the bulge at the top of the glass keeps the glasses from sticking together when stacked and strengthens the material at the rim of the glass, thus reducing the likelihood of chips and nicks as the glasses are repeatedly used and moved around. Beer mugs are often used when the beer is meant to be kept very cold, as the thick glass of the mug can be frosted in a freezer beforehand and will retain its temperature for a more extended period of time than standard glasses. Pilsners and other types of pale lagers are often served in a pilsner glass, which has a taller and more slender design that is usually more heavily tapered than a regular pint glass. The broad top of the glass helps to maintain a stronger beer head (foam) that is typically not desired with darker beers and ales. When importing beers, take a moment to investigate and see if the brew has a specialty serving glass. Some breweries manufacture “official” glasses that are specially designed to effectively present and aerate their beer. Buying a few of these glasses (when applicable) with your import will add a bit of novelty and authenticity to your beer selection.
Martinis and Still Cocktails
Martinis, vodka martinis, and other cocktails that consist primarily of still (non-carbonated) ingredients are typically served in a stemmed cocktail glass (also called “martini glasses”). These glasses offer the most obvious presentation advantages, as their contents are displayed prominently by the angled sides of the elevated bowl. The stem also allows the drinker to hold the glass without affecting the temperature of the drink, thus allowing the drink to stay chilled as long as the temperature of the surrounding air will allow. Try to avoid using ice with these glasses when possible, as the slanted sides of the bowl can make it difficult to drink around the ice cubes.
Cocktails “On the Rocks”
Cocktails that are served over a large amount of ice (“on the rocks”) are typically served in a “rocks” glass (also called a “lowball” or “Old Fasioned” glass) or a double Old Fashioned glass. These tumblers are generally short with a wide brim, straight sides, and a thick base that allows for non-liquid cocktail ingredients to be muddled more easily. Cocktails that are served in these glasses typically consist of an alcoholic spirit base with a smaller proportion of liqueurs or non-alcoholic mixers. For straight liquors with a small amount of ice, a regular Old Fashioned glass will suffice. A double Old Fashioned glass holds about 1.5 times as much as a standard Old Fashioned glass, making them ideal for larger and more complicated drinks, particularly those with space-consuming solid ingredients such as citrus wedges.
Highball Cocktails
A “highball” cocktail refers to a mixed drink that contains an alcoholic base spirit combined with a larger proportion of a non-alcoholic mixer or combination of mixers. Although not restricted to any one particular glass, these sorts of drinks are usually served in a Collins or Highball glass. These glasses are taller and more spacious, making them ideal for drinks that call for large amounts of juice, club soda, or ice. Fizzy drinks are best served in taller glasses, as the extra vertical space allows the carbonation more room to rise in the glass and help distribute the flavor of the other ingredients. The extra space economy of taller highball and Collins glasses also makes them the obvious choice for drinks such as the Long Island Iced Tea that have a more expansive list of ingredients.
Frozen Cocktails
Frozen cocktails are typically served in hurricane glasses. The flared rim makes it easier to drink the frozen liquid, while the stem allows drinkers to comfortably hold the cold drink for extended periods of time.
Margaritas
One of the most distinctive elements of any classic margarita is the salted rim of the glass in which it is served. Margarita glasses are specifically designed to have wide rims that allow for a liberal volume of salt, ensuring that the drinker will have a little bit of salt with every sip.
Brandy
Brandy and Cognac should be served in a snifter or “balloon” glass. These short-stemmed glasses feature a bowl with a wide bottom and narrow top that traps the aroma inside of the glass. The short stem allows for the glass to be easily cupped in the hand to naturally warm the liquor and increase the flavor. These glasses are typically used to serve aged brown spirits, and although they are most commonly associated with brandy and Cognac, they can also be used to serve aged whiskeys.
Sherry and Cordials
Sherry (and other fortified wines) and cordials should be served in small, 2-3 oz. sherry glasses (usually stemmed). Sherries and cordials tend to have powerful flavors, and it is not common that someone will want to drink more than an ounce or two at a time.
Each type of glassware has a specific purpose and detailed history, and the information listed above is only the beginning for the interested bartender or beverage connoisseur. While purchasing a wide selection of glassware may seem like an intimidating upfront investment, it is an important step to take if you intend to serve a variety of drink types to your customers. Presentation is a very important aspect mixology – almost as important as the drink itself – and having the right glass for each drink will bolster the reputation of your establishment and keep people coming back for new and exciting beverage experiences.
