Different Types of Drinking Glasses

You may have seen the flute

glass often in movies with
champagne pops and
exuberant party themes. It is
a narrow and slightly tall
glass.
It's used for drinks that don't
have to be aerated so much;
a narrow mouth and slim
bowl prevents the frizz from
dying down too soon. This
glass can be used to enjoy a
glass of plain champagne or
champagne cocktails as well.

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Red wines must be aerated

well to enhance the flavor of
the drink. As a result, the red
wine glass has a full bowl
and a wide mouth, fairly
typical of most of the types of
wine glasses. These features
help you show off your wine
swirling skills to the best
without worrying about spills
and stains.
The red wine glass also has
a long stem to prevent the
hand holding the glass from
touching the base of the
bowl. This insulates the wine from the heat of your hand. Warm wine is a lot of things but
pleasing to taste.
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 White wines also must be
aerated but not as much as red
wines. Keeping this in mind,
the white wine glass falls
somewhere in between the red
wine glass and the flute glass.
Its bowl is more
comprehensive than that of the
flute glass but not as wide as a
red wine glass bowl. This
feature allows the drink to be
aerated without oxidizing it too
fast. This way, the white wine’s
subtle flavors and tints can be
enhanced.
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A lowball glass is also called a

an Old Fashioned glass. A
lowball glass is a short but full
glass with a very thick base.
The thick base creates a wide
surface area and this helps
with mixed drinks remaining
that way.
The lowball glass is frequently
used for having liquor in a
“neat” way. This means other
liquids are not mixed with the
liquor. It is a pure concentrated
shot of goodness.
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A highball glass is a large

and tall glass. It's common to
confuse it with the Collins
Glass, but this is shorter and
wider in its design.
A highball glass is used to
serve drinks that are poured
over a tower of ice. These
drinks have a more
substantial non-alcoholic
portion than otherwise. A
highball glass is used to
serve exceedingly popular drinks like Bloody Mary or a Mojito.
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A cocktail glass is shaped like an
inverted cone. It is a short glass
but has a full mouth. This glass is
used to serve cocktails, which
have fascinating blends and
aromas.
The comprehensive mouth
feature allows your nose to come
as close to the drink as possible.
This way, you can enjoy the
fragrance and the taste of the
cocktail. Some feature long
stems but the trend is moving
towards stemless glasses.
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Martinis used to be served in
cocktail glasses or highball
glasses. However, as time
went on, martinis evolved to
include a significant portion
of vodka. To suitably cater to
this new martini, the martini
glass was invented.
It's similar to a cocktail glass
as it has the same inverted
cone shape. However, the
martini glass has a very
pointed end to its cone shape
and a more giant bowl than
that of a pure cocktail glass.
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Margaritas are another
example of specialty drinks.
A margarita glass is similar
to a cocktail glass, but its
cone narrows into a second
much thinner segment at the
narrow end, and a margarita
glass has a very wide mouth.
These glasses, although
especially made for
margaritas, are not
commonly used now. This is
because these unique

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features do not compliment other drinks well and create more dishwashing work, and thus
margaritas are now often served in different glasses such as a lowball glass or a pint glass.
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An Irish coffee glass is
designed especially for hot
drinks. This includes, as the
name suggests, an Irish
coffee or a hot whiskey
(whiskey with honey and
warm water).
This glass is made with heat
resistant glass, making it a
glass that's safe to
microwave usually (double
check with the manufacturer
labels), and its handle is
placed strategically at the
lower side of the glass. This
feature allows you to hold the glass comfortably while you enjoy your hot drink.
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The snifter glass is primarily
used for amber liquors like
whiskey or brandy. A snifter
glass has a full bowl so that
the drink can be swirled
easily. The snifter glass also
has a short stem, so the
hand holding it can warm the
liquid.
Even though the bowl is
extensive, it tapers towards
the end to form a
comparatively narrow mouth.
This feature is designed to
trap the aroma of the drink.
This way, you can conveniently enjoy the intense scent as well as the taste of the liquor.
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 A whiskey glass is uniquely
designed to bring out all the
complex flavors whiskey is
known for. These are often
interchangeable with juice
glasses these days.
Whiskey glasses have
retained the comprehensive
tumbler look of lowball
glasses to show the color of
the whiskey and the aroma.
However, the mouth is
tapered to decrease the size,
so drinking from it is more
comfortable.
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A goblet glass is also
sometimes called a chalice,
though this isn't entirely
accurate. These are rather
medieval in style and often
ornate in design, though they
can be had in simple designs
as well.
A goblet glass is thick in
order to retain the
temperature of the drink
poured in it. It can be used
for hot or cold beverages.

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As the name suggests, a
Collins glass is used to serve
mixed drinks like Tom Collins
or John Collins. A Collins
glass may look like a highball
glass, but it is narrower and
taller than a regular highball
class.
A Collins glass is cylindrical
and can contain around four
hundred and ten milliliters of
liquid. They're often used to
serve an Arnold Palmer (iced
tea and vodka), as well.
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This glass was invented by
Pat O’Brien, a tavern owner
in New Orleans in 1940. The
drink that he concocted was
initially served in a hurricane
lamp-shaped glass.
As a result, the drink and its
associated glass became
known as the hurricane
glass. This is curvy glass,
which can hold up to twenty
ounces of liquid. It is used to
serve mixed drinks,
especially the Hurricane.
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Pint glasses are tall and

conical, though some are
more cylindrical like the
classic pint glass. The tulip
glass is also a pint but has a
more bulbous body and a
very slight outward curve at
the lip. They have no stems.
These types of drinking
glasses serve three main
purposes: they're clear so
you can see your beverage,
they're broad at the top so
you can maintain a foamy
head, and they hold exactly one pint of liquid. They're mainly used for beer but are perfect for
soda and water as well.
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A tumbler is very similar to a

pint but may feature
non-smooth features about
3/5ths of the way down. These
flat ridges make the glasses
easier to hold, but are
otherwise exactly like pints.
These are typically used at
home and at restaurants to
serve any kind of drink.
Sometimes they're plastic and
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colored, other times they're glass and clear. They are probably the most common type of
drinking glass available.
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These are very similar to
whiskey glasses in that
they're short and not very
voluminous. They're in
between whiskey glasses
and shot glasses in size.
The benefit is that they don't
risk tipping over, they hold
plenty of liquid for whiskey,
and can accommodate ice
as well. The larger mouth
ensures the drink can be
taken in all in one pour into
the mouth.

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These are designed for
serving juice, obviously, like
fresh-squeezed orange juice
during breakfast. They're
about medium height (no
more than 5 inches) and not
incredibly wide in terms of
diameter, which keeps your
sugar intake down.
Some restaurants or bars will
use these interchangeably
with low-ball or rocks
glasses, depending on the
style they want to project to
their customers. As long as they hold the typical 4 to 7 ounces of liquid, nobody seems to care.
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These were originally
designed to serve a special
drink called the Zombie.
They have a very upscale
and classy appearance
thanks to their tall and thin
appearance with straight
lines and increased opacity
as you move to the bottom.
They aren't always frosted,
and even when clear their
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sleek 7 inches of height shows the beauty of the 13.5 ounces of beverage within it. They're taller
than most other types of drinking glasses, giving off a special air of uniqueness.
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Similar to the Zombie, the
Sling is also tall and thin but
more tapered at the bottom,
terminating in a food that is
almost equal in diameter to
the mouth of the glass. You'll
see these used when serving
Long Island Ice Tea.
The thin base above the foot
make them comfortable to
hold and makes your party
goers feel classy. Thanks to
the wide foot, they are far
less likely to be knocked over
as well when a table is
bumped.
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The Poco Grande glass is
almost identical to the
Hurricane at first glance, but
if you sat them next to each
other you'd notice that the
stem is taller and the bowl
has less depth but more
width. Otherwise they're the
same.
These feminine glasses are
the epitome of class. The
stems provide insulation from
the drinker's hands so the
beverage stays colder for
longer. They're beautiful for
display in a china cabinet or as set pieces when you stage your dining room table.
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Imagine taking the Flute glass meant for champagne and squashing the cup portion down
vertically. You end up with the Sour, often called the Delmonico glass. These aren't easily found
for purchase these days.
As the name describes, these
are typically used to serve
sour drinks. They capacity is
around 5 ounces, as the drink
is meant to be sipped slowly
or it would be overpowering. If
you can't find these, a smaller
set of Flute glasses are a
perfect alternative.

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Nothing brings back fond memories, even if you didn't experience them, of the friendly and
colorful diners of the 1950's
and 60's than the Milkshake
glass. These retro glasses are
tall with very deep bowls that
accommodate all types of
spoons.
The curves are gentle starting
about halfway down the glass,
terminating in a big and broad
foot that has enough weight to
help lower the center of
gravity. That's needed
because milkshakes can be
fairly heavy once you add
whipped cream and a cherry
on top.
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If you've ever ordered a Side Car, Aviation, or Martinez, you were likely served it in a Coupe
glass. They tend to have very tall and ornate stems on a wide base, with an even wider cup on
top. This wide top is also pretty shallow.
They're top heavy with a high center of gravity, so even with the wide foot there is a risk in
tipping them over causing a spill. Though, for holding in your hand and walking around greeting
your guests, there's hardly a more comfortable glass.
The bowl of a Coupe glass resembles actual types of bowls that you would serve or eat food
from.

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The Nosing glass has a
name specifically referring to
the human nose. It's
designed to concentrate the
delicious aroma of the drink
and waft it into your nose as
you take a sip. It's a favorite
of whiskey drinkers who want
a classier feel than glasses
without a stem provide.
The base of bowl flares out
right above the stem,
providing a low center of
gravity. It's seated upon a
wide foot and a short stem, meaning there's very little risk of them being knocked over.
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Cordial glasses are small like
a shot glass but of a higher
class appearance. They're
designed for high diesel
drinks, typically layered ones
that shine through the clear
glass.
The base is usually of a solid
color without a foot. The top
flares out slightly at the
mouth, making for a
comfortable drink and easy
pour. These after-dinner
glasses can really class up
your bar or dining room.
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These were designed for
serving the Grappa drink.
This drink is meant to be
maintained at a specific
temperature and has a
wonderful fragrance. That's
why this glass has such a
long stem and the flare at the
mouth.
The middle portion of the
glass squeezes in, making a
smaller surface area to
concentrate the fragrance.
It's a uniquely pretty glass,
and one of the rare ones where the foot is wider than the mouth, much like the type of glass
directly below.
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This glass is similar to the
Grappa, but have an even
longer stem, shorter bowl,
and wider foot. The mouth
flare is much more prominent
as well. They're designed to
serve a sweet liquer and to
hold less liquid to encourage
the drinker to take their time.
Due to the height and flare of
the mouth, if these are tipped
over you can pretty much
guarantee that they will
shatter, so take extra care.
They're extremely attractive
and give off a bit more of a masculine feel.
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Shooter glasses are
essentially taller shot
glasses. They're designed to
serve double shots or even
triples or smaller amounts of
mixed drinks meant to be
taken in in one swallow.
There's not much more to
say about these that the
picture can't say that won't
be repeated below.
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 Everyone is familiar with the
shot glass. These types of
drinking glasses are used to
serve shots of whiskey. The
mouth often is wider than the
base so they can be stacked
beneath or above a bar,
though some are straight
cylinders instead of slightly
tapered cones.
Many people collect these
and they've been come to be
sold as souvenirs all over the
world. People have display
cupboards just for this purpose, though my mom prefers collector's spoons and charm
bracelets.
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A tankard is meant to serve beer. Unlike the stein, it doesn't feature a lid and is cylindrical and
clear. It features a prominent
handle to lift the large
amount of drink. The walls
are extra thick to serve as
insulation to keep the drink
ice cold.
There is also a stein, which
is basically an ornate tankard
that has a lid you can flip up
with your thumb as you hold
it by the handle. You'll find
the tankard at nearly any
restaurant that serves large
beers.
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Looking at the Thistle, you
may wonder how it's any
different than a Tulip, but
these are designed to drink
beers instead of wine. The
only real difference is a bit
more of a curve as it extends
up to the mouth.
These are meant for drinks
like Scottish ales rather than
a beer like a porter, lager, or
pilsner. As usual, the design

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is supposed to concentrate the smell for the drinker.
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In my opinion, these are the
coolest looking glasses ever
made. The Pokal can be
used to serve any kind of
drink but you'd be surprised
to find they're used for
high-gravity beer.
The wider bottom of the bowl
and thinner mouth gives off a
masculine feel even though it
sits on a stem with a dainty
foot. These are just
incredibly enjoyable for
anyone and work for any
dinner party.
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The Pilsner glass is
designed for (gasp) drinking
a pilsner beer. They're
similar to pint glasses but
feature curves as the glass
tapers down to the base.
There's also the Footed
Pilsner that tapers more
strongly and terminates at a
wide foot.
The more conical shape of
the pilsner over the pint
allows for easier gripping
and helps keep your drink's
carbonation intact for longer.
As long as you drink a lighter beer from it, you'll enjoy the experience.
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The Weizenbier is close to a
Pilsner except it opens up at
the base more and has a
wider portion just before the
mouth opens up at about the
same diameter as the base.
They're often a bit taller than
a pint glass.
These feature straight lines
despite the several angles
built into them. Usually a
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sliced orange or lime will be placed on the lip, where the liquid and the head will absorb some of
the flavor of the fruit.
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A chalice is similar to a
goblet glass but shorter and
broader at the most extreme
width. They have a short
stem and sit atop a medium
width foot. The glass is
typically thin and clear so
you can see the dark beer
it's meant for, like a stout or
porter.
You'll often be served a
nicer, high-gravity beer in
these, usually ones with a
very thin head. Though it's
not easy to tip over, be careful because they're likely to break if they're made of glass due to the
thin sides.
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Sake glasses come in a set.
There's one taller glass
meant to hold the drink, with
four smaller cups that are
similar in size to a shot
glass. You're meant to pour
for your friends (and allow
them to pour for you), a
small amount at a time.

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