One of the ways to get the best drink of gin is to pour it into the right type of glass. By doing so, you can not only have a better presentation but also perceive your gin to be more aromatic and flavorful depending on the shape and size of its glass.
If you want to treat you or your loved ones to the best gin ever, it’s important to consider the following spirit glass shapes.
A Spanish style of glass known as Copa de Balon or simply “balloon” is one of the trendiest types of Gin Glasses. In fact, they are currently more popular than many other types of glassware including champagne flutes, tumblers, and wine glasses.
The rounded, bulbous shape of the Copa de Balon glass helps trap in the aromatics of gin and tonic, so as you sip your beverage, you’ll get a stronger flavor. After all, scent plays a big role in how we taste. Likewise, the bowl shape of this Spanish style glassware helps keep ice frozen for longer, making them great for summer.
1. Copa de Balon / Spanish style
2. Martini
If you’re a martini type of person, the martini glass is not only quite feminine and elegant in appearance but is specifically shaped that way for a reason.
The long, narrow stem of the martini glass ensures that your frosty cold gin-based martini doesn’t heat up too quickly as you hold it. Additionally, the wider, triangular rim of this glass gives greater air exposure to your beverage to open up the complex botanicals of your drink.
The Highball, Collins glass, or Delmonico glass is a straight, narrow glass with little to no flare. The latter types of highball glasses are best for different types of beverages. A traditional Highball, however, is especially great for gin and tonic. The narrow shape of these glasses will help keep your gin cool and carbonated thanks to the little surface area.
3. Highball
4. Lowball
Although it’s said a Highball glass is best for gin and tonic, Lowball or “old fashioned” glasses can be great for mixed drinks containing gin.
Those wanting to add flavor to their drink with bitters, sugar, and/or liqueurs might find a Lowball glass most convenient considering the wide brim and thick base allow non-liquid ingredients to be properly mashed with a muddler directly in the cup prior to serving. The simple appearance of the Lowball is also quite masculine.
A petite, narrow, stemmed glass with a wide mouth is known as a cordial. These elegant, decorative glasses are generally used for expensive liqueurs. For your dessert-y gin and liqueur cocktails, serve in cordial glasses to your guests after dinner to add a fancy touch. Consider adding fresh fruit and/or a long sprig of rosemary.
Conclusion
There are many shapes of sizes of glasses you can pour your beloved gin into to ensure you get a drink with the best presentation. However, what makes picking out a type of glass ever more valuable is learning that certain glass shapes can impact the way you smell and thus taste your alcoholic beverage.
As you select the right glass, consider not just aesthetics but the tasting experience itself you can obtain from each glassware for your specific gin-based beverage.
