The art of mixing drinks requires the presence of everything necessary, from the very beginning of the process to the final result: this includes not only the ingredients of the drink, but also various devices. Shakers and glasses play an important role in the world of bartending. One of the integral elements of this process is the Highball glass. In this article, we will consider what a Highball glass is, what it looks like and how it is used in the process of bartending.
History
A highball glass is a must-have item in any bartender’s arsenal. You can pour alcoholic, non-alcoholic, cold and even hot drinks into it. It is a great choice for serving the table for any holiday or event.
The history of the origin of the Highball glass begins in the 19th century. Its “great-grandfather” is considered to be the modern model of semaphores. Americans who lived near railroads invented a prototype of these devices, which they hung on poles in the form of special balls. The 20th century was the era of the birth of many cocktails, for which there was a need for special dishes. A bartender from New York named Patrick Duffy, who felt a passion for the romance of travel, began to serve ready-made mixed drinks in tall glasses with thickened walls – they got the name “highball”.
The term “Highball” began to denote cocktails that included soda or mineral water. Until now, these soft drinks are often served in such glasses in cafes and restaurants.
Interesting facts about the glass
Not every drink is meant to be poured into a Highball glass. It is often used to serve long cocktails that require slow drinking to fully reveal all the ingredients and weave them together into a wonderful bouquet of flavors.
It was in America during the Prohibition period that this type of glass became especially popular. They were used to mix alcoholic drinks with juice, sparkling water or just water. The bartender’s task was not only to be able to reveal new aspects of the taste of each liquid ingredient, but also to skillfully mask the alcohol content of these drinks.
Here are some additional interesting facts about the Highball glass:
- The highball glass got its name from the English word “highball”, which means “shot” or “hunting”. The name comes from the traditional golf game where the ball rises up, symbolizing the high shot that occurs after a successful shot.
- A highball glass is often used to serve the classic “Screwdriver” cocktail, which consists of orange juice and vodka. This drink became especially popular in the 1950s and is one of the symbols of cocktail culture.
- Highball glasses are also widely used for serving non-alcoholic drinks such as soda water with lemon or mineral water with ice. Their tall shape and large capacity make them ideal for refreshing sparkling drinks.
- Highball glasses usually have a straight shape and a high wall, which helps to keep drinks chilled for a long time. This is especially useful for drinks that are diluted with ice or sparkling water, keeping them cool for a long time.
- Highball glasses can also be used to serve other cocktails such as mojitos, gin and tonics, tom collins and other drinks that require more liquid.
What material is it made of?
The first cocktail glasses were the same size. Their volume was measured in ounces, which, translated into the modern metric system, equates to 270 ml. In height, they are slightly higher than classic containers. However, their base diameter is smaller. The capacity of the glasses ranges from 230 to 340 milliliters.
The shape of the classical container is a tuba with a thick base. However, the modern way of producing glasses is not limited to classic forms and offers a wide selection of different contours suitable for any theme:
- Cone-shaped;
- Dooty;
- In the shape of a tulip;
- Similar to granchaks;
- With walls inclined in different directions.
These are only the most common forms. In fact, there are many more of them. Also a diverse world of materials for making highball glasses. There are both tempered and non-tempered, heat-resistant glass, crystal, double-layer glass and much more.
There are no special requirements for glass decoration (smoothness, degree of transparency). Therefore, everything depends on the personal preferences of the buyer.
What drinks are traditionally poured into a highball
Noble frames, cocktail glasses are filled with all kinds of drinks. They traditionally serve juice, mineral water, bitters, and soda. This is possible thanks to the versatility of the glass. However, at first, they were filled with whiskey with soda and ice, in proportions of one to two.
One of the popular cocktails served in such a device is the Highball cocktail of the same name. Then they are filled with other types of drinks, which require a gradual disclosure of taste:
- “Mojito” (alcoholic and non-alcoholic). The alcoholic cocktail consists of the classic ingredients of white rum, lime juice, mint and soda. Non-alcoholic includes lime (lemon), highly carbonated mineral water, sugar and mint;
- “Screwdriver” based on vodka and orange juice;
- “Bloody Mary”, consisting of vodka and tomato juice;
- “Cuba Libre” – a cocktail of Coca-Cola, golden rum, lime and ice cubes;
- “Long Island” – it includes vodka, golden rum, silver tequila, orange liqueur, lemon juice and ice cubes;
- “Cosmopolitan” – vodka, Cointro orange-flavored liqueur, lime juice, cranberries.
Any cocktail that requires mixing can be poured into a standard glass: Tequila Sunrise, May Thai and many others. Containers made of tempered and double glass can be filled with a hot drink a la Irish coffee. In addition, some mixes require the presence of crushed ice, as well as “ice snow”. When serving most drinks, cocktail straws or umbrellas are required.
Advantages of highball glasses over others
The main argument in favor of a highball glass is the density of its walls. It allows you to maintain the initial temperature of the drink. The recipe of some cocktails does not involve mixing the components. The layers of ingredients should be clearly visible in them, and the taste should be revealed gradually, as the drink is drawn through the tube, which is slowly raised in the process.
A wide variety of configurations, namely, when the bottom of the container should be narrowed, and the glass itself slightly expands to the edge, allows you to use alcoholic beverages of any density. In addition, unlike many types of glass products, highball glasses can and often need to be cooled.
For most cocktails that require tasting chilled, the glasses are chilled directly, rather than brought to the desired temperature with ice.
Previously, sailors poured a mixture of strong tea and strong alcohol into such containers, thereby warming themselves. This drink is better known as grog, to which other components can be added. But already with new elements, the drink will be called differently.
The advantage of this bar attribute is its versatility. It can equally be used both in the conditions of a cafe, bar or restaurant, and in everyday life. At the same time, it should be taken into account that there is a certain regulation of serving this or that cocktail. Many people need their own dishes, but this tall glass is truly universal.
In addition, Highball glasses can be purchased both individually and in a complete copy, in which there are 24 varieties of this device.
Popular manufacturers
A correctly chosen glass is the last and important stage of the culture of enjoying a drink.
Trying the same drink from different glasses reveals its taste in completely different ways.
Despite the large number of manufacturers of tableware, including tableware made of glass and crystal, only a few of them stand out for their quality and optimal, interesting design.
- Bormioli Rocco is an Italian brand specializing in the production of tableware for public institutions, including bars and restaurants. The products of this oldest company in Italy are of high quality. Interesting design, constant updating of products and a wide assortment are distinctive features of the brand. The material of manufacture, Italian glass, which is beyond the competition, deserves special attention.
- The transnational corporation with the world name Libbey is the second largest producer of professional glass for bars and restaurants. Its factories are located in America, Mexico, Europe and China. The products of this brand have a natural shade of glass that is completely transparent. There is also a rich assortment of products of any shape and design.
- Beer ware, glass products for bars and restaurants – Turkish company Pasabache. The range includes tableware of both budget and exclusive class.
- If we talk about Belgian glass, then it is Durobor. It is one of the largest suppliers of tableware for drinking establishments worldwide.
There is also a large selection of products from Chinese manufacturers from well-known and not so well-known brands.
In such a variety of highball glasses, a number of recommendations will help you decide on the choice. For example, crystal products look more attractive, but they do not tolerate hot water. Narrow glasses keep the temperature of the drink well. For a drink with a large amount of ice, you should choose voluminous glasses, but for informal events, glasses made of colored glass or with an ornament are suitable.