Glasses and Containers
There are many different types of glassware many with different shapes and sizes - each providing their own purpose. Learning which drinks belong to which glass is beneficial to both you and your guests. Your friends will receive a higher quality drink which in turn reflects back on you and the success of your Tiki bar.
Always insure all glassware is clean and spotless prior to serving. Wash glasses with warm water and a small amount of detergent, but not soap. Rinse them afterwards with fresh, cold water and polish them with a suitable cloth. Hold glasses by the base or stem of the glass to avoid fingerprints.
Listed below is a glossary of glassware with a brief description.
Beer Mug
A traditional beer container – typically 16 ounces
Brandy snifter
The shape of this glass concentrates the alcoholic odors to the top of the glass as your hands warm the brandy. Typical Size: 17.5 oz.
Champagne Flute
A tulip shaped glass designed to show off the bubbles of the wine as they brush against the side of the glass and spread out into a sparkling pattern. Typically 6 ounces.
Cocktail glass
This glass has a triangle-bowl design with a long stem, and is used for a wide range of straight-up (without ice) cocktails, including martinis, manhattans, metropolitans, and gimlets. It is also known as a martini glass.
Typical Size: 4-12 oz.
Coffee Mug
Traditional mug used for hot coffee – typically 12 to 16 ounces
Collins glass
Shaped similarly to a highball glass, only taller, the Collins glass was originally used for the line of Collins gin drinks, and is now also commonly used for soft drinks, alcoholic juice, and tropical/exotic juices such as Mai Tai's. Typical Size: 14 oz.
Cordial Glass
Small and stemmed glasses used for serving small portions of your favorite liquors after a meal. Typically 2 ounces.
Highball glass
A straight-sided glass, often an elegant way to serve many types of mixed drinks, like those served on the rocks, shots, and mixer combined liquor drinks (ie. gin and tonic). Typical Size: 8-12 oz.
Hurricane Glass
A tall, elegantly cut glass named after its hurricane lamp like shape and used for exotic or tropical drinks. 15 ounces.
Margarita/Coupette glass
This slightly larger and rounded approach to a cocktail glass has a broad-rim for holding salt, ideal for margarita's. It is also used in daiquiris and other fruit drinks. Typical Size: 12 oz.
Mason Jar These are large square containers and are effective in keeping their contents
sealed in an airtight environment. Typically these are used for home canning and are about 16 ounces.
Old-fashioned glass
A short, round so called "rocks" glass, suitable for cocktails or liquor served on the rocks, or "with a splash".
Typical Size: 8-10 oz.
Parfait Glass
This glass has a similar inward curve to that of a hurricane glass but with a steeper outwards rim and larger rounded bowl. These are often used for drinks containing fruit or ice cream. 12 ounces.
Pousse-cafe glass
A narrow glass essentially used for pousse cafés and other layered dessert drinks. It's shape increases the ease of layering ingredients. The typical size is 6 oz.
Punch Bowl
A large spherical bowl used for punches or large mixes 1 to 5 gallons.
Red wine glass
A clear, thin, stemmed glass with a round bowl tapering inward at the rim. Typical Size: 8 oz.
Sherry Glass
This is the preferred glass for aperitifs, ports, and sherry. This has a narrow taper and is usually around 2 ounces.
Shot glass
A shot glass is a small glass suitable for vodka, whiskey and other liquors. Many "shot" mixed drinks also call for shot glasses. Typical Size: 1.5 oz.
Whiskey Sour Glass
This type of glass is also known as a delmonico glass. It has a stemmed wide opening similar to a champagne flute and holds about 5 ounces.
White wine glass
A clear, thin, stemmed glass with an elongated oval bowl tapering inward at the rim. Typical Size: 12.5 oz.