Cracking the Code on Glassware
You want to knock the pants off your guests with incredible cocktails right? But finding the right glass to complement the cocktail can be a minefield. Fear not...we’ve got you.
You don't have to be a professional bartender to create a cocktail that will impress your guests. In fact, knowing which glass pairs with a cocktail can significantly up your at-home cocktail game, even if you can’t throw a shaker in the air.
So let’s dive into the world of cocktail glasses and give you the scoop on the who’s who on the glass shelf.
Martini Glass
If there’s one glass that springs to mind when you think of classic cocktails, it’s a martini glass - thanks James Bond ‘shaken not stirred’ anyone? - and with good reason.
Martini glasses are a must-have for any bar, and they’re perfect for cocktails served straight up. The long stem and cone shape both play a role in controlling temperature, while the wide mouth enhances aroma with each sip. Of course, this is the perfect glass for shaken or stirred martinis but it’s also great for cosmopolitans and lemon drops, as well as the party-starting espresso martini.
Nick and Nora Glass
Nick and Nora glasses immediately give off a vintage vibe with its stunning bell shape. The glass is a perfect mix of a martini and a coupe glass. The name comes from the fictional characters Nick and Nora Charles of The Thin Man movies.
They’re a bit more approachable and easier to hold than a classic coupe, offering an option for drinks that should be sipped slowly. This glass can be used for spirit-forward cocktails such as The Sidecar, a Manhatten and The Bee’s Knees, but it can also be used for serving Champagne or pretty much any other cocktail that’s been shaken or stirred and then strained into this classic glass. As a general rule, ice is never added to a cocktail served in a Nick and Nora glass.
Highball Glass
Similar to a classic drinking tumbler, Highball glasses are one of the most versatile types of cocktail glasses to stock your bar. They’re tall, making them ideal for mixed drinks with plenty of ice such as mojitos or a pimped-out Bloody Mary. You can also use them for classic mixed drink combinations such as whiskey and dry, rum and coke or vodka and soda. Just don’t forget to garnish!
Worth noting the Collins glass is nearly identical to the highball - the only difference is the Collins is more slender and taller and you guessed it perfect for a Tom Collins cocktail.
Coupe
The ever-stylish Coupe glass features a stem with a shallow bowl at the top, creating the most iconic and photographed shape. But that shape also serves a purpose.
Coupe glasses are designed with a stem to prevent your hand’s heat from reaching the drink. Cocktails served in a coupe heighten the sweetness of sugars, can also possess less of a boozy burn and seem more well-blended and more botanical than one in a rocks glass. Because of the wide, round mouth, it’s one of the perfect types of cocktail glasses for anything you plan on sipping. Champagne cocktails? Definitely! But it’s also perfect for classics served up such as a Boulevardier or French 75. But it’s a big ‘hello beautiful’ to a sublime Gin Sour served in a chic coupe glass for us.
Bodega Glass
Short and stout, Bodega glasses are the most versatile glass you never knew you needed. They’re incredibly durable and easy to hold, making them perfect for parties when you’re serving up everything from wine to punch or batched cocktails. A Tommy Margaritas with a chilli salt rim in a Bodega glass will have your heart. Just remember, holding them in your hand can affect the temperature of the drink over time so load up with ice. Another great use? Dish up mini desserts for a crowd when you need an impressive vessel!
Copa de Balon Glass
Stemming from Spain in the 1700s the Copa de Balon roughly translates to balloon glass and is now THE go-to G&T glass. Part of the allure of gin is the incredible botanical aromas that it brings to the taste buds. And by utilising a large goblet, you can truly capture it. The long decorative stem of this gin goblet prevents your drink from warming up in your hands. The large bowl shape with a wide mouth provides the ideal shape for concentrating aromas with every sip. Another bonus? There’s plenty of room to add ice and garnishes for a deliciously chilled gin and tonic. You can also take an Aperol Spritz to the next level by serving it in a Copa - Chin! Chin!
Old Fashioned Glass
Also known as a rocks glass or a lowball glass, the old fashioned glass is one of the most versatile types of cocktail glasses. There are tow sized glasses which come under the Old Fashioned banner. The Old Fashioned is the baby brother to the Double Old Fashion (DOF) which is - you guessed it - bigger. The main difference is the shorter tumbler that’s perfect for serving drinks neat or on the rocks whereas the DOF is ideal for built drinks; anything from an Old Fashioned to a Negroni— or you could get fancy and out of your comfort zone by trying a Negroni Sbagliato….with Prosecco of course - made viral by Emily D’arcy .
Cheers, Cin! Cin! Sláinte and Salud!
