An Occasional Drinker’s Guide To Making The Most Of Their Cocktail Glasses
In a world full of possibilities, cocktail glasses are the centrepiece of a host’s ability to make drinks appear aesthetically appealing while also reimagining them as mediums to showcase creativity that stretches beyond their original purpose. Innovating uses for attractive glassware can be a bit of a grey area for most home hosts since collections tend to be expensive as well as fragile. However, bringing them out for special dinners or even for an intimate evening with family or friends can elevate the setting significantly – making it feel elegant as well as understated.
Candle Holders
Upcycling old rocks glasses or even regular rocks glasses by pouring wax into them to use as candles is a lovely way to make a room feel welcoming and aromatic without an overpowering sensory experience. Adding a few drops of lavender or rosemary oils to melted wax makes the setting ambient and eliminates the need for artificial lighting – especially when decorating a space for a smaller group of individuals. Alternatively, use tiny wax candles and float them in wine glasses filled with water to soften their appearance and make a room appear illuminated with a warm glow.
Flower Vases
Highball glasses and mason jars, when not being used to construct drinks, have a tall structure which balances long stalks of flowers beautifully in the form of makeshift vases. Delicate blooms or single-stemmed flowers placed in glasses half-filled with water make for petite decorative elements that provide scope to be spread across a setting without overcrowding a single spot. One could also consider creating a floral centrepiece by placing multiple glasses or jars together – giving the illusion of abundance while being a visually captivating backdrop for a meal or even date night.
Also Read: Which Cocktail Glassware Are You? – Take This Quiz To Find Out
Dessert Bowls
As important as it is to present entrees and mains in an aesthetic way during dinner, an instant sprucing up of layered desserts like tiramisu or even scoops of pina colada ice cream is possible when served in martini cocktail or coupe glasses. Their wide mouths provide a broader foundation for portions to rest within them, as well as enable guests to experience the layers in all their glory. Think individual portions of an English trifle or even crème brulee that are portable due to the stems enabling easy carriage and holding while guests savour each bite at their own pace.
Snacks/Garnishes
Whether it is a shrimp cocktail or grilled corn salad that needs a little aesthetic upgrade, martini cocktail glasses are ideal to divide portions equally and also nestle food in a way which makes it easier to handle in a buffet-style setting. Additionally, these glasses are fantastic for serving up garnishes for a Burmese-style khao suey since they display each element in an ‘all-round’ manner, where it isn’t masked by a bowl. Fruit garnishes for dessert are also easily accessible – sliced strawberries, cherries, chopped melon – you name it. Hosting game day at home? Pile up some popcorn, chips or bar nuts before arranging them on a platter and serve up snacks for enthusiastic sports watchers in style.
Desk Organisers
While a bit far from their original purpose, cocktail glasses do make for great stationery or craft supply organisers. Spending quality time painting with friends? Use dainty champagne flutes as holders. Pour paint into little containers and stack them up in hurricane glasses. Use coupe glasses as containers to rinse brushes in from time to time. For a bar-themed office desk, repurpose old wine glasses into a case for post-its or use a wide-rimmed glass to stack tea lights in for illumination; the options are endless!
*Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
