1. The tall and short of it? Use rocks glasses for musky, dark aromatics like bourbons and whiskeys. Citrus-based drinks taste better in taller collins-style glasses that control the acidic scent and show off the color.
2. Why is the top of a snifter so small, when the bottom is so big? Brandies and cordials can be very heady, and the narrow top reins in the experience perfectly. The round bulb helps your hands warm the drink to perfection.
3. Shot glasses are the standard for measuring, but watch out: they come in a dozen sizes. A real shot shot is 1.5 ounces. For perfect cocktails every time, measure with a jigger, and save shot glasses for enjoying quick, punchy cocktails with friends.
4. Bloody Mary, anyone? It's properly served in a highball glass. The highball is bigger than a rocks glass, wider than a collins, making it perfect for less alcoholic fruit drinks, cocktails heavy on the mixers, and sodas.
5. What's the difference between a rocks glass and an Old-Fashioned? Nothing. This squat little classic is home to stronger mixed drinks like black Russians, anything "on the rocks," and of course the classic Old-Fashioned.
6. Showoff! The legendary (and ironic) Hurricane cocktail made famous in New Orleans spawned the hurricane glass, a sexy, curvaceous container for the dramatic fruity marvels like piña coladas, daiquiris and mai tais. Basically, anything with an umbrella.
7. Liquor glasses show off your sense of style. Go Mad-Men classy or cut-crystal dramatic. We offer liquor & spirit glasses from the most stylish designers, including Schott Zwiesel, Spiegelau and Alessi.
8. Nothing is sexier than a good scotch in a crystal rocks glass. Crystal liquor glasses add a diamond blue sparkle and feel rich in your hand. But for day-to-day happy hours, glass is easier, more forgiving and far easier to replace when you trip over the cat.
9. The dishwasher is tempting after a relaxed evening with friends, but it can dull your glassware. Your finer liquor glasses will sparkle forever if you wash them by hand with just a drop of mild detergent. It just takes a minute, and it's safer for the fragile crystal.
10. On what rocks? Smaller ice cubes chill your drink faster and colder, but they also dilute it more. They're best for cold fruit drinks in collins or highball glasses. Fat cubes melt slower, better for that expensive scotch or bourbon. Besides, they look great in the short, wide rocks glass.
