Different drinks are served in a variety of different glasses.I f you are entertaining guests and serving them drinks then it becomes mandatory for you to know which drink is to be served in what type of glass.This knowledge can enhance your style image and you would be admired by your guests for your intermittant knowledge.This is an attempt by me to educate all of you to serve the right drink in the right glass.There are differnt types of glasses but we will broadly classify them into three categories.
1. Stem glasses : These glasses have a stem attached to its bowl. Drinks like champagne and wines are served in these glasses.They are of different shapes depending upon the drink served in them.
2. Hiball glasses : These glasses are tall and straight.Drinks like juices and coke is served in them.
3. Tumblers : These are heavy bottomed glasses used usually to serve scotch.
4. Mug : These are large mugs with handle which is used usually to serve beer.
Let us now know about the variety of drinks to be served.
Champagne
Champagne is a wine with lots of bubbles.A champagne is served in a stem glass so that the drink doesn't get warm by our hands.The champagne stem glass has a wide mouth of the bowl and a long stem.
Sherry
Sherry is a wine made from white grapes originating in Spain.It is also served in a stem glass but the bowl of the glass is comparatively larger than the champagne glass.
Brandy
Brandy is also a wine with 35-60% of alcohol content.It is usually had after dinner and is served in a stem glass with the mouth of the glass considerably narrower than its base.
White Wine
White wine is usually served with lunch or lighter meals.It has a strong aroma and thus is served in stem glasses which have a narrow opening and are long and straight.
Red Wine
Red wine is served in stem glasses which are comparatively smaller than the white wine glasses. They have a wide mouth and a long stem. The wine should ideally be filled upto 3/4th of the glass to allow the wine to breathe for a better taste.
Margarita
Margarita is a vodka based drink served in a stem glass with a much rounded bowl and a wide mouth. Margarita can be served with or without ice.It can be served with salt or sugar rubbed on the rim of the glass for an enhanced look.
Martini
Martini is a cocktail drink with the main ingredients of gin or vodka.It is usually served with an olive for great presentation.It is served in a long stem glass with a triangular bowl.
Gin
Gin is a drink made from Juniper berries. The most famous gin drinks are Gin and tonic, Martini and Screwdriver. Gin and tonic is served in a hiball glass,Martini is served in stem glasses and Screwdriver is served in hiball glasses.
Rum
Rum can be mixed with avariety of ingredients to make different cocktails. Rum is a clear liquid and also comes in flavoured variety.Rum is made with sugarcane.Rum cocktails are served in cocktail glasses.Cocktail glasses are stem glasses with a triangular bowl.If to be had with any carbonated drinks,then it is served in hiball glasses
Beer
Beer is a frothy drink and can be served in a variety of glasses.Beer is usually served in large mugs with handles so that your hands doesn't get wet while holding the drink.Beer can also be served in tall glasses
Tequila
Tequila is a mexican drink and can be had straight (without any other ingredient) or with adding martini/juice/carbonated drinks.When drunk straight,small shot glasses are used.If mixed with any other variants,it can be served in a margarita glass which is a stem glass with a round bowl and a wide mouth.
Vodka
Vodka is a clear drink without any aroma or taste and hence can be mixed with any other variant easily.Vodka is also available as a flavoured drink but a flavoured vodka is a drink in itself and can't be mixed easily with other ingredients.If vodka is taken as a drink in itself,then it can be served in small straight shot glasses.If vodka is mixed with any other variant then it can be served in hiball glasses.
Scotch
Scotch can be served on the rocks or can be served with water/soda/colas.Scotch is usually served in short straight glasses (tumblers) with a heavy bottom but connoisseurs are of the opinion that scotch should be served in a tulip shaped glass with a narrow opening so that the aroma of the drink doesnot escape.They are also of the view that scotch should not be served with ice and should be mixed with water only.
Mixed Drinks
All the drinks like juices,sodas or colas are served in hiball glasses.It is a straight and tall glass,a must have for all homes.These drinks can also be served in a collins glass. a collin glass is also a tall glass but comparatively narrower than a hiball glass.