Most of us know what our favorite drinks are, but do we know what type of glass they are served in? Alcoholic drinks are usually served in some kind of stemware with the exception of shot glasses, which are generally used for whisky, and mugs, which beer is served in. The wine glass is probably most familiar of stemmed glasses. Below is a list of those drinking glasses used at dinner and cocktail parties and clubs:
The beer mug is of course used for beer and comes in a 16 oz. size. These can be clear or opaque glass although clear is more common if it came as part of a crystal ware glass set.
The brandy snifter is balloon in shape and designed to allow the alcoholic drink evaporate when it is in the glass. When the glass balloon is held in both hands, the warmth from one’s body helps release the scent of the drink. This glass usually comes in 6 to 8 oz. in size but much less is usually poured into the glass for drinking.
The champagne flute is shaped like a narrow tulip and will show off the bubbly when its poured into this glass. This glass usually comes in a 6oz. size.
The cocktail or martini glass looks like a shallow funnel and is used to serve martinis, manhattans, and other cocktail drinks. This glass usually comes in a 6 oz. size.
The Collins glass is a large 8 to 12 oz. tumbler originally used for mixed drinks, particularly those used for a Tom Collins cocktail or pina colada.
The cordial glass is a small 2 oz stemmed glass generally used for sweet liqueurs.
The highball glass is a large 8 to 12 oz. tumbler used for serving mixed drinks.
The hurricane glass is pear shaped and resembles an old fashioned hurricane lamp. These glasses holds from 10 to 12 oz. and are used for mixed drinks.
The margarita glass is a larger version of a cocktail glass but is more bowl shaped. This glass holds from 10 to 12 oz.
The old-fashioned glass is a short tumbler used for old-fashions and White Russians. These drinks are always served with ice. This glass holds from 8 to 10 oz.
The parfait glass is a larger version of the hurricane glass and is used for serving drinks that contain fruit or ice cream. This glass holds from 10 to 12 oz.
The pousse cafe glass is narrow in shape with a fluted top. This glass can be used for layered drinks, with the thicker liqueurs at the bottom. The pousse cafe glass holds from 4 to 6 oz.
The red wine glass has a bowl that is shaped slightly inward near the top half of the bowl. This glass holds from 6 to 8 oz.
The sherry glass has a straight edged bowl that is lightly smaller than the red wine glass. This glass holds 2 oz.
The shot glass is a short tumbler that holds 1.5 oz of whisky, vodka, and other hard liqueurs.
The white wine glass is shaped like the red wine glass and holds from 6 to 8 oz.
Illustrations for some of these glasses can be viewed here.
http://www.drinksmixer.com/guide/1-3.php
