With lockdown lifting people are partying, get ahead of the curve with some cocktail party glasses!
8 Top Party Glasses For Post Lockdown
The Classic Cocktail Glass
The traditional cocktail glass is an inverted cone bowl, which can come in a variety of sizes, but usually between 85ml to 170ml. This is really the ideal cocktail party glass as it is versatile and doesn't hold a lot of liquid, meaning you're less likely to end up in your friends garden pond again (sorry Sophie).
It is used to serve cocktails 'up' (without ice), which is a large proportion of cocktails. The shape evolved from traditional cocktails all having interesting aromas, the large mouth of the cocktail glass allows the nose of the drinker to get close to the surface of the drink and fully enjoy the scent and taste. If you're looking for the perfect drink for this cocktail party glass, then keep your eyes peeled for a coming blog! Although I would recommend the Cosmopolitan, Kamikaze or Brandy Alexander.
The Highball Glass
A highball glass is a glass tumbler used to serve tall cocktails, long cocktails and other mixed drinks that contain a large proportion of a non-alcoholic mixer, poured over ice. These are typically longer drinks and are great for parties as they are highly refreshing. Many people use them not just as a cocktail party glass, but as a standard drinking glass, which is a nice added bonus. My absolute favourite drink in these is a Sex on the Beach, but other contenders are Bloody Mary's and Mojito's.
With so many highball glasses in our catalogue it can be daunting! A safe bet though is the Argon Tableware Tondo Highball glass.
Piña Colada Glass
The Piña Colada glass, also known as a hurricane glass or Poco Grande glass, is famously used to drink Piña Coladas and Hurricane cocktails, first poured into a hurricane lamp-shaped glass (hence the name). These glasses are the perfect cocktail party glass for the summer, or a themed party!
The origin story of Piña Coladas is a bit more convoluted, being attributed to a variety of people from bar tenders to sea captains 400 years ago. It is almost impossible to say which is the real version, but it is well worth a read. The Poco Grande glass is shallower and has a longer stem. It holds about 350ml, vs the hurricane glasses 590ml.
Check out Rink Drink's very own Piña Colada glass above!
Martini Glass
Martinis were originally served in the traditional cocktail glasses, but the drink evolved into a variety of vodka-based 'tinis' through the '90s, and the serving sizes grew. Martini glasses differ from the traditional cocktail glass by generally having a larger bowl and have a fully conical bowl to the bottom. The martini glass is the cocktail party glass of choice for the more sophisticated party, where many a debonair double 0 may be swaggering about.
The martini glass is obviously the preferred temporary container for martinis, but the recipe for martinis has changed a lot over the last 100 years, going from a 2:1 ratio of gin to vermouth, to 3:1, 4:1, to eventually 6:1 in the official IBA recipe. Just make sure you garnish it correctly.
Why not try this elegant drink our of an elegant receptacle - the Rink Drink Martini Cocktail Glass!
Coupe Glass
In a lot of modern cocktail bars the coupe glass has usurped the V-shaped cocktail glass. Coupe glasses are exceptionally well suited for cocktails served "up" (shaken or stirred with ice and then served chilled, without ice) like a martini. The stem means you don't heat up the cocktail with your hand and the glass itself is less likely to spill with the curved lip. This little cocktail party glass brings an air of the roaring 20's fun to the modern party, and is the perfect vessel for Daiquiri's, Fitzgerald's and Pornstar Martini's.
Why not treat yourself to a very reasonably priced set of coupe glasses here?
Balloon Glass
In the UK gin and tonic has traditionally been served in a tall glass. This changed in the last few years when fashion from the continent finally made its way here, and the oversized balloon glass made a splash. Made famous by the Spanish, the glass takes advantage of the extra space to create a drink that carries the traditional gin and tonic to a whole new level, mainly in terms of volume.
These frankly huge glasses are perfect for creating large cocktails, and are great cocktail party glasses for this! Other than gin and tonic, the best drink we can recommend is a Bramble or your favourite cocktail to drink in large quantities.
The Rink Drink Spanish Balloon glass should be your go to for any gin based cocktails.
Champagne Flute
Instantly recognisable, fluted champagne glasses are delicate and magnificent glasses that ooze luxury and class. The long, thin shape is designed to contain the carbonation in the drink and creates an enchanting explosion of bubbles throughout. These bubbles help to enhance the flavour of the drink, aerating the trapped aroma (80% of taste is smell).
The flute is perfect for younger sparkling wine, but as champagne coupe glasses will allow more flavours to develop, save the good vintage for those glasses. However, nothing beats having brunch with a Mimosa in the morning, Kir Royale, or Bellini.
Why not try a more modern design with the Bormioli Rocco Ypsilon Champagne Flutes?
Shot Glass
Perhaps the least refined, younger brother of the cocktail glasses: the shot glass. The shot glass, or shooter as it is often known, is always a must on any list, not just because of its use for a Tequila Slammer, but also because of its versatility. From pouring out singles, to shooting back a Squashed Frog, the shot glass is the underrated contender in the cocktail party glass world.
Shot glasses and shooters come in not only a variety of shapes and sizes, but also in a variety of materials, making them perfect for any occasion. Slammer glasses utilise an extra thick base so they can withstand the enthusiasm drinkers usually display without breaking.
We recommend the LAV Elegan Liqueur/Shot glass for something that is a little bit quirkier than the traditional plain shot glass.
In conclusion, many cocktails can be served in a variety of cocktail party glasses, so if you don't want to end up spending a small fortune on every single type of cocktail glass, go for the classic shapes.
That's all from me, my mouth is a bit dry after all that, so excuse me whilst I go to wet it...
As always, please enjoy the social aspect of drinking and always drink responsibly.
Sincerely yours, Jack Maile