The Spirit World

When setting up your bar there are a few basic glass types that are great to have. You don’t have to break the bank when purchasing; there are many fun and stylish options available for as little as a couple dollars per glass.

I would venture to say that you can really make nearly any drink in one of three glass types: something short and squat for basic drinks like rum and coke or Old Fashioneds; something tall and thin for coolers and Margaritas (yes, Margaritas do have their own special glass but it’s not necessary for a beginning bar); and cocktail or Martini glasses.

There are tons of styles of Martini glasses available. A traditional glass is tall-stemmed and has about a 7 oz capacity. These glasses are meant to be filled nearly to the rim with the cocktail. Lately, a glass that has been gaining popularity is a squat glass - no stem but still the traditional v-shaped glass at the top. These glasses have the advantage of being a bit less likely of being knocked or tipped over. And we are now seeing lots of over-sized glasses - these look like the traditional glass but hold 10 oz instead of 7 oz. Unless you are visiting Tini Biggs or some other specialty lounge, these glasses are still meant to hold a normal size drink. Their advantage is that you (or your guests) are less likely to spill since there’s a bit more slosh-room between the drink and the lip of the glass.

One of my favorite manufacturers of these over-sized glasses is Mikasa. They have a line of glasses called Cheers. They come is sets of four and each glass has a different etched pattern. You can find these glasses at many locations and often on sale for about $40 for a set of 4. However, Costco usually carries them around the holidays and their price is $40 for a set of 8, which makes these a very reasonably priced glass. The nice thing is that with the different patterns guests can keep better track of their drink. So far Mikasa has released two different sets of patterns so it’s possible to expand your options.

Two good sources for inexpensive but interesting glasses are Crate and Barrel and it’s new sibling, CB2. I’ve always been a big Crate and Barrel fan as they offer lots of great options. I’ve been amazed to see the offerings at CB2 are even more fun, fresh and really a great value! Many of their glasses are in the $2 - $3 range. Read the descriptions carefully, though, as they also carry several acrylic options. Those may be what you want but you don’t want to be surprised when they arrive at your home.

Setting up a bar doesn’t have to be expensive. The key is to start with a few basics and then add on over time as you are able.