A good drink is best enjoyed in a glass that maximizes its taste, smell, and appearance. A food critic in Atlanta slammed cocktails served in Mason jars recently, saying enough with that trend. For those who have forgotten how to drink out of anything else — totally understandable — here's a quick guide.
1. Rocks Glass
Also called an old-fashioned glass, the rocks glass is a low tumbler with a thick bottom and a wide top to release aroma.
WHEN TO USE IT
It is commonly used for muddled drinks (because of the thick bottom) and anything on the rocks.
For example:
Drinking straight booze on the rocks
2. Highball Glass
The highball glass is tall with straight or slightly angled sides.
WHEN TO USE IT
This glass is used for various mixed drinks and highball cocktails (highballs are traditionally just club soda + any spirit, but over the years the definition has loosened. There's usually more mixer than the alcohol).
For example
3. Collins Glass
The Collins glass is narrower and taller than a highball glass. It should come with a straw.
WHEN TO USE IT
The highball and the Collins glasses are interchangeable.
For example:
4. Martini Glass
Also called a cocktail glass, the martini glass is used basically as a matter of style or preference. It has a long base so your hand doesn't affect the temperature of the drink, and it has a wide brim to release aroma.
WHEN TO USE IT
For any cocktail or martini.
For example:
5. Hurricane Glass
Heavy on the bottom with curves toward the middle, the hurricane glass flares up top to show off a drink that's often lavishly garnished.
WHEN TO USE IT
Your fancy lava flow or colorful frozen tropical drink is served in this glass.
For example:
6. Sour Glass
This is basically a shorter version of a typical white wine glass.
WHEN TO USE IT
For a sour, which is any drink that includes a base spirit, lemon or lime juice, and a sweetener (and traditionally, egg white).
For example:
7. Margarita Glass
Big rim = more salt. Duh. The margarita glass is a variation of the champagne coupe.
WHEN TO USE IT
For frozen drinks like the margarita and also margaritas on the rocks.
For example:
8. Moscow Mule Mug
The Moscow Mule mug is a copper mug that keeps its namesake cocktail nice and cold. Find the recipe on Bon Appétit.
9. Absinthe Glass
An absinthe glass has a thick stem and includes a change or etching in the glass to indicate when you should stop pouring.
10. Snifter
A snifter is generally used for brandy or whiskey. The large bottom allows for someone to warm the glass with their hand and also for faster evaporation. The tapered top traps the aroma. You should fill the glass just enough so that if you were to tip it on its side no liquid would spill out.
11. Champagne Flute
Also called a tulip glass. Champagne flutes are designed so that you don't affect the temperature of the champagne while you hold the glass. The glass is narrow to perserve carbonation.
12. Champagne Coupe
You might recognize these glasses from the awesomeness that is a champagne tower, wherein bubbly is poured into the top glass until it trickles down into all the others. Unfortunately, the broad lip of a coupe glass allows the champagne to lose carbonation more quickly than a flute glass — so they are more often used for cocktails. Martini glasses and coupes are interchangeable for cocktails; it's all about style.
Champagne tower in action
13. Cordial Glass
This is basically a shot glass on a pedestal — but the after-dinner drinks or liqueurs served in it are meant for sipping.
14. Sherry Glass
The sherry glass, or "copita," has a narrow brim to enhance the aroma of sherry. You can also drink liqueur or port out of it.
15. Bordeaux Glass
Bordeaux glasses have a broad bowl and long stem. They are typically used for full-bodied wines like Cabernet Sauvignon.
16. Burgundy Glass
Burgundy glasses are broader than Bordeaux glasses in order to better assemble the aroma. This glass is used for more delicate wines, including Pinot Noir.
17. Chardonnay Glass
Chardonnay glasses have a larger bowl compared to other white wine glasses. The glass has a tapered top and a long stem to keep the wine cool.
18. Riesling Glass
The Riesling glass is taller and narrower than the Chardonnay glass. The glasses are made to concentrate the fruity aromas at the top of the glass.
19. Chalice
For ceremonial purposes and also for being a badass.
Lil Jon And His Chalice
20. Punch, Grog, and Hot Toddy Glass
When it comes to warm drinks or dipping in a punch bowl, a handle is a good thing.
For example:
21. Weizen Glass
The weizen glass is roughly a little larger than a pint. The glass starts out skinny and grows wider to the top in order to trap yeast at the bottom while leaving room for a thick head of foam at the top.
WHEN TO USE IT
For any wheat beers.
For example:
22. Pilsner Glass
Unlike the weizen glass, which it is often confused for, the pilsner glass is evenly tapered. The glass showcases carbonation and color.
WHEN TO USE IT
For light beers like pilsner or pale lagers.
For example:
23. Imperial Pint or Tulip Pint Glass
Also called the imperial pint. The glass flares out toward the top and can hold 20 fluid ounces.
WHEN TO USE IT
For Irish or English ales.
For example:
24. The English Pint Glass
Also called the "nonic" glass. The glass has a curved lip two inches from the top and holds 20 fluid ounces.
WHEN TO USE IT
For a wide range of beers, including English and American ales, lagers, stouts, and IPAs.
For example:
25. The American Pint Glass
Also known as a shaker glass or a conical glass. It holds between 16 and 20 fluid ounces.
WHEN TO USE IT
For American lagers and pilsners.
For example:
Like the Mason jar, the red Solo cup did not make the official list.
