Cocktail GlassesFor all the different kinds of cocktail drinks, there are just as many
cocktail glasses. Many of the classic cocktail glasses are very well
known: the standard "on the rocks" glass, the tulip-shaped margarita
glass, and traditional shot glasses. Every good bar has a wide variety
of glasses, and it's fun to know a little bit about their origination
and their various uses.
Many contemporary glasses are hybrids of classic glasses fashioned in
the late 1800s and in the early part of the century. Glasses did not
change much for some time through the 1920s-30s because of the influence
of prohibition. After the repeal of the alcohol ban, cocktail glass
began to have a renaissance and some stylistic changes began. Some
glasses, like the saucer champagne glass, were very popular in the 1950s
through the 1970s, then began to change in the 80s. For instance, the
saucer champagne glass has given way in popularity to the elegant fluted
glass now most commonly in use.
Many cocktail glasses are similar to one another. For example, the
Collins glass, the Delmonico glass, and the Highball glass are all
essentially the same shape. Their main defining difference is the amount
of liquid they each hold. Drinks that are mixed with a higher volume of
water or sparkling soda go in the larger glasses, while those that
contain a higher concentration of spirits, or are served with less
on-alcoholic mixers, are typically reserved for the smaller glasses.
Some of the most common classic cocktail glasses found in a well-stocked
bar are traditional manhattan cocktail glasses. This glass is also
called a martini glass and is almost always used for martini drinks or
similar drinks, such as the popular Cosmopolitan. The glass is
cone-shaped and the triangular "bowl" sits atop a long stem. The purpose
of the stem goes beyond providing a lovely aesthetic. The stem is meant
to provide a way for the drinker to hold the cocktail without warming
the liquid with their hands. Drinks served in manhattan cocktail glasses
are meant to be served cold, and the glass itself is often chilled in a
refrigerator, or stored on ice, for maximum cold. Over time, the
martini glass has become the standard default glass for dozens of
different drinks. It's the go-to piece of stemware for the modern bar
and its cocktail uses are nearly limitless.
Cocktail glasses
have a rich history and are interesting to learn about.
Many people collect several different kinds or focus on a couple
favorites. Whether it's a sherry glass, a Scotch glass, or the classic
manhattan glass, there is a glass for every drink and for every
occasion. |
