Glass culture

For a true connoisseur, the glass is as important as the drink. Be it a flute for champagne or a coupette for margarita, the right glass comple ments the flavours and experience of the drink, says Swati Pandya Sood.

For a true connoisseur, the glass is as important as the drink. Be it a flute for champagne or a coupette for margarita, the right glass comple ments the flavours and experience of the drink. Here’s a lowdown on glass culture:

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* Champagne Flute: This is a tulip shaped glass. It’s used because one can see the delicate champagne bubbles rise up. Never serve cham pagne in a hand cut crystal flute with intricate patterns.

* Red Wine glass: For red wine, one typically uses a thin stemmed bowl, round at the top and tapering inward at the rim.

* White Wine glass: White wine is served in a glass similar to the one used for red wine, except that is has an oval-shaped bowl tapering inwards at the rim.

* Shot glass: A small glass, typically 1.5 oz in volume. It comes in a variety of shapes and can even be served in test tubes!

* Cocktail glass: This is a tall stemmed glass with a triangular bowl, used for martinis, metropoli tans, etc.

* Margarita glass: Also called a coupette, this is very similar to the cocktail glass. It is slightly rounded and has a broader rim.

* Cognac glass: It is a very small, straight-line glass.

* Mocktail glass: Any mocktail should be served in an extra tall cylindrical glass so that the tropical fruits can jazz it up perfectly.

* Whisky glass: The Scots never allow you to pour their Scotch in a straight glass with a broad bottom. Instead, they prefer a curved glass tapered towards the top. Still, most bars serve whisky in what is called the ‘rocks’ glass or the old-fashioned straight glass.

* Beer mug: A large heavy mug or can be served in a beer mug or a tall sleek cylindrical glass are the preferred glassware for a pint.

* Cordial glass: To serve a small por tion of liquor as digestif, the cordial glass is used. It is small and stemmed.

The right glassware can not just make your drink more enjoyable, it’ll also make you the toast of the party!