Glassware Essentials for the Ultimate Tier 3 Home Bar

We can’t deny we don’t enjoy a festive tipple during the Christmas holidays. Outdoor drinks and cocktails may be off the cards for areas in Tier 3, but that doesn’t mean you can’t shake up a storm together inside. 

You’d be wise to upgrade your at-home bar game. An easy way to improve your drinking experience is to make sure you’re using the perfect glassware for your beverage of choice, the same way your favourite bar does. 

Technically any glass will do, but there are specific shapes designed for specific drinks, intended to take your drinking experience to the next-level.

Emily Dunstan, Home Accessories Buyer at Heal’s in collaboration with Holly Tudor, Cocktail Development at The Alchemist brings you cocktail recipes and glass pairings for the ultimate home bar experience. 

Classic Cosmopolitan: A Simple, Elegant Pairing

For a simple yet elegant home bar evening, pair a beautiful martini glass with a classic cocktail. The long stems of martini glasses will also help to keep your drink colder for longer – resulting in a classy but practical glass for your evening tipple.

Holly says: A delicate Martini glass is the perfect vessel for something simple yet elegant like Carrie Bradshaw’s favourite, the Cosmopolitan.  

How to shake up the Classic Cosmo at home: 

Ingredients: 

• Citrus Vodka – 35ml
• Lime Juice – 20ml
• Triple Sec – 20ml
• Cranberry Juice – 40ml
• Orange Zest or Lime Wheel

Equipment

• Plenty of ice
• Chilled Martini Glass
• Boston cocktail shaker 
• Fine mesh cocktail strainer

How to shake: 

Pour 35ml of citrus vodka, 20ml of lime juice, 20ml of triple sec and 40ml of cranberry juice into a shaker with cubed ice. Shake for 15 seconds or until condensation forms on the outside of the shaker. Fine strain into your saucer and garnish with a flamed orange zest. 

How to serve:

Emily says: A stunning martini saucer will add a touch of delicate, Art Deco style to your evening drink. Martini glassware is sure to upgrade your home bar experience.  

Best Cocktail Glass For Fizzes and Gins

The aptly named highball glass is a classic standby that’s used for all sorts of cocktails, and fizzes particularly tall, cold drinks (often filled with ice) that are popular in the summer months when wanting to stay cool. 

Holly says: Sophisticated highball glasses call for a sophisticated gin classic – the Tom Collins.

How to make the perfect Tom Collins at home: 

Ingredients: 

• 60ml Gin 
• 25ml lemon juice
• 10ml sugar syrup 
• Soda 

Equipment:

• Ice
• Highball glass 

How to make: Pour 60ml of gin, (we like to use an Old Tom style gin for a sweeter and more citrusy drink) over cubed ice, add 25ml of lemon juice, 10ml of sugar syrup and top with soda. Adjust the amount of syrup in the drink to your tastes. To finish, garnish with a squeeze of lemon. 

How to serve:
Emily says: We suggest keeping the style simple with a highball glass. Highball glasses will enhance the aroma of gin’s botanicals due to their subtly flared shape, perfect for any gin lover. 

Best Cocktail Glass For Wine Spritzers

Choosing a wine glass for spritzers doesn’t need to take a lot of thought, you can use the same wine glass you usually use for wine. However, you’ll want to make sure there’s enough room in there for ample wine and soda. 

Holly says: Wine glasses give a classy edge to everyone’s favourite summer beverage – the aperol spritz. 

How to make a refreshing Aperol Spritz at home: 

Ingredients: 

• 50ml Aperol 
• 125ml Prosecco
• Soda water 
• Orange 

Equipment:

• Ice 

• Wine glass 

How to make at home: Pour 50ml aperol, 125ml Prosecco over ice and top with a dash of soda water to lengthen. Give it a quick stir and finish with a squeeze of orange.

How to serve: 

Emily says: Choose wine glasses that add a level of refinement to special occasions and to really up your home bar setting. 

Best Cocktail Glass For Spirits on the Rocks

An old fashioned or double old fashioned glass is usually your best bet when it comes to sipping whiskey, vodka or any other spirits on the rocks. 

Holly says: Whiskey glasses are perfect for impressing your friends with one of the oldest cocktails going, the Old Fashioned.

How to make the classic Old Fashioned cocktail at home: 

Ingredients: 

• 2tsp demerara sugar 
• Bitters 
• Orange zest
• 15ml woodford 

Equipment: 

• Ice 
• Whiskey glass 
• Stirrer/spoon 

How to make at home: Add 2 tsp of demerara sugar and 1 dash of bitters to the bottom of your glass and stir to combine. Add an orange zest, 15ml of woodford and 2 cubes of ice. Stir to dilute and add another 15ml of woodford and 2 more ice cubes. Repeat this another 2 times until your Old fashioned is diluted to your taste. Top with more cubed ice and garnish with an orange zest.

How to serve: 

Emily says: Designed for the connoisseur, tumblers will bring a suave and debonair feel to your home bar. Ideal for a single malt whiskey or a short cocktail.