Hot Shot Glasses

Hot Shot Glasses from Esplanda are small barware made for serving spirits in single, short pours. The listing doesn't give a capacity, glass thickness or finish, so check the product photos and specifications for those. Shot glasses of this type usually hold about 1 to 1.5 ounces (30 to 45 ml). They often have a thick, weighted base, which keeps them steady on a bar top and makes them hard to tip. These glasses suit drinks that are poured and finished in one go: a chilled vodka, a blanco tequila, a rye or bourbon taken neat, or layered shooters where the density of each liqueur determines the order. For layering, pour the heaviest, sweetest component first, then lay the lighter ones over the back of a bar spoon. A straight-sided glass gives the cleanest bands. Shot glasses are also useful for measuring. A 1-ounce pour makes it easy to scale a cocktail recipe up or down without a jigger. For serving, keep the glasses in the freezer for a short time before use if you're pouring a spirit neat. A frosted glass keeps a vodka or a clear agave spirit cold through the pour. Sipping spirits such as aged whiskey or mezcal are better served at room temperature, and a stemmed tasting glass suits those better than a shot glass. Pair tequila shots with lime and salt, or with orange slices dusted with cinnamon. Pair whiskey shots with a beer chaser or a small pickle brine back, which is a common pairing at bars. To clean them, wash by hand or in the top rack of a dishwasher. Check the product details to see whether the manufacturer rates them as dishwasher-safe.