Basic
high balls should go in something simple, like tumblers that come
in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. The only thing to remember
here is that in a bar, juice drinks, like a screwdriver, are typically
served in glasses with a slightly larger volume than basic mixed
drinks, like a bourbon and coke.
Other
than basic high balls and juice drinks most specialty drinks are
served in stemware, from martinis to margaritas. Selecting the right
glass is only a matter of visiting a store that has a large variety
of glassware and asking for a specific glass for a specific type
of drink. Martini glasses are tall stem glasses with an inverted
cone at the top. In addition, any drink that can be served "up"
as an option can go in a martini glass. Manhattan glasses often
will be similar but the cone will be more slender. Margaritas look
great in just about any type of stem glass, as long as the total
volume is about 12 oz. or more.
Beer
is usually served in a glass that holds about 12 to 16 ounces. There
are as many different sizes and shapes as there are beers, but a
simple 16 oz. pint beer glass (that also doubles as a shaker glass)
can fill that bill perfectly, especially when chilled in the freezer.
During
the coldest months of the year, I usually enjoy sipping some sort
of brandy or cognac. In order to enjoy the aromatic nature of these
liqueurs you will need what is called a snifter (sometimes known
as a brandy snifter). It's a glass that looks like a large bowl
on a short stem with a smaller mouth. That enclosed area holds the
liqueur's vapors in order to enhance the pleasure of sipping. You
can speed up the aromatic process by either warming up the glass
beforehand using hot water or heating the glass and fluid over a
small open flame.
My
Winter's End Drink Recommendations
Grand
Marnier liqueur 1.5 oz.
Served in a brandy snifter (optionally heated)
Porfidio
Anejo tequila 1.5 oz. (if you can still find it!)
Served in a brandy snifter (not heated)
Please
send questions or comments to rluck@TheSingleLife.com.
Rodger Luck is currently a software developer residing in South
Carolina. He gained his bar experience while in college and has
maintained his expertise over the years by working in just about
every type of bar, restaurant or nightclub you can imagine.
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