How to Stock a Home Bar With Glassware

Nearly every cocktail has its glass, and the savvy bartender will be prepared to serve any drink requested.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Beer Glasses
• Cocktail Glasses
• Collins Glass
• Highball Glasses
• Old-fashioned Glass
• Pilsner Glasses
• Shot Glasses
• Wine Glasses

1. Select quality glassware that makes a clear "ping" when you tap the glass.
2. Keep plenty of beer mugs, pint glasses or pilsner glasses on hand.
3. Use 14- to 16-oz. collins glasses - also known as tumblers - for soft drinks, Bloody Marys, sours and juice-based cocktails.
4. Mix almost any drink in the tall, 8- to 10-oz. highball glasses. They can also be used as a substitute for collins glasses in a pinch.
5. Use 8- to 1-oz., squat, old-fashioned glasses - also called lowball or rocks glasses - primarily for shots on the rocks.
6. Stock white-wine glasses for serving frozen and tropical drinks, daiquiris and margaritas - or for red wine if you do not have red-wine glasses.
7. Buy good, heavy shot glasses, and make sure you know what type you have: A regular shot glass holds 1½ oz.; a short shot or pony glass holds 1 oz.

Tips & Warnings

• Always use an ice scoop or tongs to fill glasses with ice to keep glass clear.
• Beer glasses should always be chilled before using.
• Cocktail glasses are sometimes known as martini glasses.
• Hurricane glasses are tall hourglass-shaped glasses used for daiquiris.
• Irish coffee glasses are simply tall, clear coffee mugs.
• Parfait glasses are like Irish coffee glasses without the handle.
• Be sure to have a great set of cocktail tools to do your mixing, like a shaker, strainer, and mixing whisk.
• Drink alcohol only in moderation.
• Never drink and drive.