Glassware Guide: Which Glass For Which Drink (Part 2)

Cocktail glassware works well for guests when the hard part is done before they arrive. None of it needs expensive bottles. Below, we walk through cocktail glassware step by step.

Planning ahead

Chill glasses before serving drinks that are served up. Fill the glass with ice and water while you mix, then dump it just before you pour. A cold glass keeps the drink at the right temperature for longer. For hot drinks, warm the glass with hot water first. These small steps are cheap and effective. Take your time, because good drinks reward patience.

It helps to make one drink first before scaling a recipe up for a group.

What to prep

More often than not, buy glasses in sets of four or six, and favor straightforward, thin-rimmed designs that feel good in your hand. Wash by hand or on a gentle cycle to prevent chips. Pour responsibly, offer water and soft drinks and keep service for adults of legal drinking age. Keep notes as you go, so the next attempt starts from a better place.

The goal is a drink you can repeat easily, not a perfect one-off.

Setting up

The right glass makes a drink look and taste better, but you only need a few shapes. The rocks glass, also called an old fashioned glass, is a short, wide tumbler for spirits over ice and drinks like the old fashioned and the negroni. It is sturdy, versatile and perfect for a large ice cube. What works well in one kitchen may need a modest tweak in another, so stay flexible.

Serving

The coupe and the martini glass are for drinks served up, which means chilled and without ice. A coupe has a rounded bowl and holds a drink well without spilling, so it suits the daiquiri, the Manhattan and the sidecar. The cone-shaped martini glass looks striking, but it can be easy to spill, so fill it with care. Curiosity is your best tool, and every new bottle or recipe is a chance to learn something.

The practical takeaway is to measure every pour, since small changes shift the balance.

Options for everyone

It helps to remember that tall glasses, such as the highball and the Collins, are for long drinks with soda, tonic or juice. A highball is slightly shorter and wider than a Collins. These glasses hold plenty of ice, which keeps the drink cold and sparkling longer. A gin and tonic, a Tom Collins and a whiskey highball all feel right in one. Start simple, change one thing at a time and let your own taste guide the next step.

Practical tips

Here are a few easy places to start:

• Use plenty of fresh, hard ice.
• Chill your glasses before serving.
• Use fresh citrus, squeezed the same day.
• Keep a non-alcoholic option ready for guests.

The bottom line

None of this needs to be perfect. The best drink is the one you will make again. Start with the classics and build from there.