Martini Glass

The Esplanda martini glass is the classic stemmed cocktail glass, with a wide, shallow bowl on a long stem and a flat foot. The listing doesn't give a capacity, material or dimensions, so check the product specs before buying if you need a particular pour size. Glasses in this style usually hold somewhere between 4 and 10 ounces, and a bowl at the lower end suits a standard stirred cocktail better than a large one. The long stem is there for a practical reason. You hold the glass by the stem, so your hand never warms the drink. That matters most for cocktails served up, meaning chilled and strained with no ice in the glass. Put the glass in the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes before serving, or fill it with ice and water while you mix and tip it out just before pouring. A cold glass keeps a drink at temperature much longer than a room-temperature one. The shape suits gin or vodka martinis, Gibsons, and vesper-style drinks, which are mostly spirit and stay clear. It also works for other cocktails served up: a Manhattan, a Cosmopolitan, a Daiquiri, a Gimlet, or an espresso martini, where the wide surface shows off the crema. A twist of lemon peel or a skewered olive sits across the rim without fuss. The flat foot gives some stability, but the wide bowl spills easily, so pour to a little below the rim and carry it with care. Wash these by hand when you can. Thin stems are the weak point in most stemware, and a dishwasher rack is a common place for them to chip or snap. Dry the glass with a soft cloth, holding the bowl and not twisting the stem.