If you are planning to have a more elaborate dinner and receive your guests very well, a detail that helps to give elegance to your event is choosing the ideal type of glasses and glasses for each drink that is served.
Although they all consist of a container capable of holding the liquid we are going to drink, each model has characteristics that make it more suitable for a certain type of drink.
Thus, depending on their shape, bowls and glasses may be able to keep the drink cold, conserve gas or favor oxygenation, for example. Discover the main models:
water cup
As the water does not change in flavor over the course of a dinner, your glass only needs to keep it cold or at room temperature, giving the taster elegance. The water bowl is always large.
glass for red wine
The red wine glass has a wide body (both) to allow the drink to come into contact with oxygen, enhancing its aromas and flavors. For the oxygenation process to happen properly, only a third of the glass should be filled with each serving.
white wine glass
As white wine is consumed chilled, the glass is smaller and shorter than that of red wine, so there is less heat exchange between the drink and the environment, preventing it from getting hot. The mouth of this glass should be narrow, so that the drink reaches the tongue at the right point of acidity and sweetness. This glass can also be used for rosé wine.
Port wine glass
Port wine is stronger and has a more pronounced sweet taste than red wines in general due to the characteristics of its incomplete fermentation. As it needs to go through the oxygenation process, it is served in a glass similar in shape to red wine. However, this glass has a much smaller size, as the drink should be served in small doses.
glass for liquor
As it is a sweet and consistent drink, the liqueur is consumed in small sips, as is port wine. Consumed right after meals because of its digestive properties, the liqueur should be served in a small to medium-sized glass.
Glass for sparkling wine and champagne
Sparkling wines and champagnes need to be protected from the heat of your hands, so they should be served in long-stemmed glasses. Also called a flute, this glass must have a long body and a narrow mouth, characteristics that allow the taster to visualize the bubbles and that maintain the balance between the acidity, flavor, aromas and effervescence of the drink.
Glass for Martini or Cocktail
It is a Y-shaped cup, with a long stem and a triangular body (wide mouth and narrow bottom). This model prevents the drink from heating up with the heat of the hands and allows it to be tasted in small sips. A classic touch is the addition of an olive or cherry inside the glass.
glass for cognac
Also called a balloon snifter, this cup has a wide bowl and a narrow mouth, allowing the drink to come into contact with oxygen to release its fruity and woody aromas. Unlike what happens with other drinks, the contact with the heat of the hands keeps the cognac at the ideal temperature and favors its aroma, which is why the glass has a short stem.
margarita cup
Although the official name is “coupette cup”, this model is better known as “margarita cup”. It is divided into two regions: the top one is quite wide, while the bottom one is suddenly narrow. This bowl can also be used to serve frozens. In the case of the margarita, the rim is decorated with salt.
pilsner cup
Also called a tulip glass, this glass is used for tasting pilsen beers. Its high, conical shape and good wide mouth favors the formation of the collar and takes the aroma to the nose.
lager glass
Widely used in Brazilian bars to serve draft beer, this glass is sometimes erroneously called a tulip. It has a mouth slightly curved inwards and its base is wider. It is also used to serve lager-type beers, as the name implies.
Weizen Cup
It is the ideal glass for serving wheat beers, known as Weiss. Being able to hold 500 ml of liquid, it allows the entire contents of the bottle to be served at once, valuing the yeast sediment at the bottom and the formation of foam. Quite tall, this glass allows for an appreciation of the beer’s body and color.
caldereta cup
It is a very versatile glass, with a base that is narrower than the mouth and a capacity of 300 ml. Very common in beer halls, it can also be used to serve American and English Ale type beers, dark lagers and IPAs. It’s a good wildcard cup to have at home.
glass for juice
The juice glass is wide and has a medium to high height, with a capacity of about 300 ml of drink. Its characteristics allow it to carry some ice stones if necessary.
long drink glass
This glass is taller and thinner than the juice glass, with a capacity of about 250ml. It is ideal for serving cocktails that contain juice or soda, and can contain some ice cubes.
glass for cachaça
As cachaça must be consumed in just one sip, this small glass has a capacity of 45 to 60 ml. It looks like a miniature American glass and differs from the shot glass only by the notches on the body.
shot glass
This glass is used for drinks that must be consumed in one sip, such as tequila, vodka and rum. Therefore, its format is very small, with a capacity of 35 to 60 ml. Unlike the glass for cachaça, its body is smooth.
cup on the rocks
This model is used to serve whiskey, caipirinhas and cocktails with ice, as its wide mouth and body allow the addition of several stones.
old-fashioned cup
Like the glass on the rocks, it is used to serve whiskey, caipirinhas and cocktails with or without ice, like the old-fashioned cocktail itself. Unlike the previous model, this one has a slightly wider mouth than the lower circumference.
Tips for washing glasses and glasses
The washing of glasses and cups must follow some care to prevent detergent residues from compromising the taste of the drink in the next use. The ideal would be to wash them only with water or with as little soap as possible, rinsing very well afterwards.
If it is not possible to wash these pieces right after use, always add a little water to prevent the drink from staining the bottom of the container – something very common with red wine. If this has already happened, soak the bowl in water and baking soda overnight.
You can dry your glasses and bowl on the outside, preferably with a lint-free cloth. However, the inside must dry naturally on an appropriate support and with the mouth down. If you don’t have this support, you can let your pieces dry on a clean dish towel.