Whether you’re a seasoned bartender or a complete beginner setting up your home bar, one thing is true: The right home bar essentials can make all the difference! This includes bar glasses among other things. While other bar equipment, like measuring tools and mixers, is fairly easy to choose, it can become quite complicated to buy the right bar glasses. With so many different kinds of bar glasses on the market, it can be a daunting task to choose the right ones for your home bar. And this is where we’ve got you covered! Here’s your handy little guide to choosing the right bar glasses that will make your home bar stand out a little more!
Picking The Right Bar Glasses: An Essential Guide
Things To Look Out For When Choosing Bar Glasses
Material
No, not all kinds of bar glasses are made of literal glass! There are different materials used to make a variety of bar glassware. Choosing the right materials – those that are durable and functional – will help you in the long run. For example, if you’re buying tumblers for your home bar, make sure that you get the ones made from tempered soda-lime glass. These glasses are thermal shock resistant and quite durable. If you’re in the mood for some fancy glassware, you can go for lead-free crystal glass. Glassware made from this material looks distinctly elegant, sophisticated, and expensive!
Function
Are you someone who hosts parties regularly? Or are you someone who values their peace more than organizing a party? If you’re the former, consider buying glasses in bulk. However, if you are the latter, just one or two glasses of each kind are quite sufficient! Also, you need not buy glasses of all kinds, especially when you know that you don’t like a certain kind of alcohol. For example, if you are not a fan of wine, you need not buy wine glasses. If you like crafting cocktails, you can invest in different kinds of cocktail glasses. Buy glasses depending on the function they’ll likely serve – this way, you’ll end up saving some money and space in your home bar!
Budget
Money is what makes all the difference, doesn’t it? Even when picking bar glasses for your home bar, you must plan your budget. Think about this: If you only make occasional drinks at the bar, once in a blue moon, you need not invest in expensive or high-quality glasses. You can go for simpler, cheaper alternatives. On the other hand, if your home bar is where you love to be most of the time, we recommend investing in high-quality glassware. It will certainly be a bit pricier, but it will be worth it! After all, you do not want to spend less or more and then regret when you’re not able to fully unleash your potential at the home bar!
Also Read: What to Drink in India When It’s Pouring Outside: A Regional Booze Guide
Why Choosing The Right Bar Glasses Is Important
Some of you might be thinking:
“Why bother going through an entire category of different bar glasses – they’re just glasses after all!”
However, choosing the right bar glasses will make all the difference!
Bar glasses come in different shapes and sizes – and that can make it difficult to choose what you want. However, remember that these shapes and sizes are not just for aesthetic appeal – they serve specific purposes.
For example, champagne is always served in a tall champagne flute glass because the shape of the glass helps the bubbles stay longer in the drink.
On the other hand, a wide-mouthed glass like the rocks glass is ideal for serving, you guessed it right, whisky! This is because the wide mouth of the glass can easily accommodate drinks that are served ‘on the rocks’, i.e. ice.
Also Read: Top Alcohol Delivery Websites In India That Bring The Bar To Your Doorstep
5 Must Have Kinds Of Bar Glasses
Beer Glasses
Yes, these glasses are perfect for serving chilled beer on a game day, movie night, or a wholesome dinner. These bar glasses often come with a handle, making it easy for the drinker to hold the entire glass as they chug down bottomless beer. However, besides beer, you can also use these glasses to serve delicious mocktails and smoothies.
Cocktail Glasses
In the world of bar glasses, cocktail glasses are the fanciest ones! They bring a sense of sophistication and elegance to your home bar, and having them is a must if you like crafting unique cocktails. To begin with, you must buy the iconic V-shaped Martini glasses, broad-rimmed Margarita glasses, as well as the ever-so-quirky Hurricane glasses. Be it a Sex on the Beach, a spicy Margarita, or a dirty Martini, now you can make them all!
Rocks Glass
As said earlier, a rocks glass is ideal for serving whisky on the rocks or a classic Old-Fashioned. The short, sturdy structure of the rocks glass is perfect for serving short drinks (drinks with little to no mixers) such as whisky. Moreover, these glasses have ample room for ice and other ingredients. Rocks glasses are quite versatile as you can serve a whole lot of ‘on the rocks’ drinks as well as unique cocktails. Moreover, you can invest in a high-quality rocks glass if you find yourself frequently using this glass. The unique craftsmanship of this glass makes it a must-have on your bar shelf.
High Ball/Collins Glass
These tall glasses are ideal for serving long drinks – drinks with more mixers. The High Ball or the Collins glass has enough room for mixers, ice, and other ingredients that would go in your drink. These tall glasses are perfect if your drink has a substantial amount of mixers – gin and tonic or a rum and coke, for example. The tall shape and the relatively narrower mouth of the glass help keep your drink cool and refreshing for a long time.
Wine Glasses
Let’s get it clear: wine glasses are not a one-size-fits-all solution to your wine drinking sessions! These come in different shapes and sizes, depending on what kind of wine you’d like to drink. For full-bodied red wines, we recommend going for broader, rounder bowls as they allow more air to come in contact with the wine, in turn enhancing its flavor. For lighter red wines, you can go for smaller, narrower glasses that enhance the aroma towards the top of the glass. On the other hand, white wines are best served in shorter glasses with smaller bowls. Here, you’ll have to select your wine glasses carefully depending on what kind of wine you prefer.
Summing Up
Choosing the right bar glasses can seem overwhelming, but with the right planning, you’ll come out of the store only with what you need. Be sure about the functions, chalk out your budget, and look for the best materials when selecting bar glasses. Choosing the right glasses will not only enhance your drinking experience but also help you leave a lasting impression on your guests. So take your time, pick what suits your preferences, and let your home bar be a perfect blend of function, flair, and fun!
FAQs
How Many Bar Glasses Do You Need In A House?
Usually, the rule of thumb is to have 8 glasses of each type in a home bar. However, you must decide on this number based on the available space, budget, and usage. If you don’t host people often and/or have limited space, you can reduce this number, too.
What Glass To Drink Scotch Out Of?
The ideal glass to drink scotch out of is a rocks glass. Alternatively, you can also use a tumbler glass for the same.
What Are Martini Glasses?
Martini glasses, also called cocktail glasses, can be identified by their distinct v-shape and long stem. The long stem prevents hand contact with the surface where the drink has been poured. This helps maintain the temperature and the integrity of the drink.
