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Glasses and how to use them

Everyone loves a cheeky tipple at Christmas, so discover the perfect glass to accompany your drink of choice using our drinking glass guide.

There’s no better feeling than relaxing after a long day with a glass of your favourite tipple in hand. But while we often put a lot of thought into our drink of choice, how often do we think about the glass we pour it into?

There are so many factors to consider when choosing a drinking glass, and some of these – such as the effect the glass will have on the temperature - might not have even crossed your mind!! As Christmas draws near, you might be planning on entertaining with some drinks - and whether you’re hosting for a large group or just enjoying a drink on a quiet night in, make sure that your glassware compliments what you’re drinking!

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Which glasses should you use for wine?

Did you know that the size of the bowl, stem and base of your glass can all have an effect on the taste, smell and aroma of your drink? Wine glasses come in all different shapes and sizes, and each shape offers various functions so you can enjoy your wine to its full potential.

White wine glasses

White wine tends to offer a subtle and crisp flavour, so it is best served in a small, narrow glass to preserve its delicate flavours. The bowl tends to be shorter than a red wine glass to get you up close and personal with those sublime aromas, while the longer stem helps to keep the heat of your hand away from the wine - since white wine is commonly served chilled.

Red wine glasses

The favourite choice of tipple for many, red wine is a full body drink which is usually served at room temperature. The larger bowl and wider rim of a red wine glass allows the air to interact with the wine, intensifying its deep, rich flavours.

Champagne flutes and saucers

Just like with wine glasses, the shape of a champagne flute has quite an impact on your champagne-drinking experience. The small rim allows enough room to smell the delicious champagne’s aromas, while encouraging small and delicate sips. Alternatively, you may opt for a champagne saucer which offers a wider bowl to allow more room for aeration, helping the flavours and aromas to develop more.

The bowl under the rim then widens to allow the aromas to collect, before getting smaller towards the base to develop a single stream of bubbles. This allows you to taste your drink to its full, delicious potential. While champagne glasses are (naturally) most likely to be paired with champagne, they also make the ideal glass choice for sipping on a Bellini or a Mimosa-- the perfect drink to enjoy on Christmas morning. Our Christmas champagne glasses will guarantee that you feel merry and bright whilst enjoying your tipple.

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Using the correct cocktail glass

Highball and Collins

While they look very similar, the one noticeable difference between the Highball glass and the Collins glass is that a Collins glass is taller. Both are perfect for tall cocktails as they allow plenty of room for ice and non-alcoholic mixer, while the large and consistent width of the glass gives you full appreciation for the scent and taste of the drink. Some delicious cocktails that can be served in a highball and Collins glass include a Mojito, a Bloody Mary, or a classic Gin and Tonic.

Martini glasses

As one of the true icons of glassware, a martini glass was made famous by its namesake cocktail—so unsurprisingly, it’s the perfect glass for serving that very drink. The wide rim of a martini glass allows plenty of room to enjoy the aroma of the cocktail, while its tall stem helps to keep the drink crisp and cool. Since a martini is typically served with no ice, the tall stem comes in handy! Other delicious cocktails to serve in a Martini glass include a Cosmopolitan and a Manhattan.

Tumbler and rock glasses

Tumbler glasses are short and stout, and you can often find them containing drinks that are served neat. Straight alcohol such as whisky makes for a great tumbler glass tipple, while cocktails such as an Old Fashioned or Sazerac also go down a treat—particularly around the festive season

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Margarita glasses

Fun and practical, the Margarita glass is typically used to serve its namesake drink, the Margarita—though daiquiris are also a popular choice. The wide rim is designed to hold salt while the two-tiered design helps the salt rim to stay dry. Interestingly, the Margarita glass is also used for non-drinks purposes, making a fabulous dessert pot, or enticing appetiser holder.

Shot glasses

There’s a reason why shot glasses are so thick at the bottom—and it’s all to do with how people take their shots! The thickness helps protect the glass from shattering when it’s inevitably slammed down after someone takes their shot. These glasses are short and stout and hold a small amount of alcohol, and while they’re most commonly used for shots, they’re also handy for measuring out alcohol for your drinks. If you’re entertaining with your shot glasses, why not start with a classic shot of tequila? Not forgetting the wedge of lime and a pinch of salt, of course! Alternatively, get creative with your shots by creating a Baby Guinness or a Zombie Brain this festive season.

Specialty cocktail glasses

There are countless speciality cocktail glasses which have been intricately crafted to serve specific cocktails. Famously, the balloon-style glass is used to serve gin and tonics, while you can also find specific glasses for cocktails such as the Manhattan and Sours. Our Christmas glassware selection will guarantee your Christmas cocktails are festive and fun, while keep spirits high this winter.

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The different types of beer glasses

The shape, length and width of a beer glass all have an effect on your beer’s taste—and are naturally very important factors when considering leaving a beer out for Santa alongside his mince pies.

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Snifter glasses

Snifter glasses are famously used for serving brandy, cognac, and whiskey, however they can also be used to serve strong ales. The wide bowl gives the aroma the chance to circulate, while the short stem allows your hand to gently warm the base of the bowl, further activating the aromas.

Pilsner glasses

A pilsner glass is tall and skinny with a slight curve which creates a larger tip and a narrow base. This interesting shape helps to accentuate the taste and aromas of the beer, while keeping the foam head intact throughout the drinking experience.

Tulip glasses

Similar to the snifter glass, a Tulip glass features a round bowl to encourage the aromas to swirl and circulate-- however the defining feature of a tulip glass is the slightly flared rim. This glass is best used to serve ales as well as other malty aromatic beers.

Goblet glasses

Featuring a fish-bowl style and a short stem, the Goblet glass is typically used to serve heavy, malty beer. Its wide rim allows the aromas to intensify and retains the head of the beer while allowing you to take big, satisfying sips.

Beer mugs and jugs

Beer mugs and jugs prioritise quantity over anything else, and are built to be thick, strong, and feature a handle to assist in lifting the heavy quantity of beer. You might recognise this style from the German holiday Oktoberfest where the glass originates from-- but it’s now become a popular drinking glass all around the world. Even better, the beer jug’s sole purpose is to retain as much beer as possible, meaning it is the perfect glass to suit any (large quantity) of beer that you please. Bottoms up!

When hosting and entertaining this Christmas, give your guests an evening to remember by making sure you’re using the right glasses for the job. Explore our full selection of glassware to find the perfect glasses for your event.