With the UK's deep affection for gin and tonic, and Spain now topping the charts as the largest gin consumer, it's evident that global fascination with this fragrant beverage is here to stay. It's also swiftly gaining popularity in the United States. Many people enjoy sipping on gin and tonic over ice or in the form of gin cocktails, be it in a bar as a gin aficionado, hosting a home party, or participating in a festive event somewhere.
What most people don’t know is that choosing your favourite gin cocktail is only half the job done. To enjoy the perfect G T, everything from the serving, tonics, garnish, and glassware must be considered.
Unfortunately, people often get the glassware part wrong by serving G T in whisky tumblers, cocktails glass, and martini glass. When it comes to GTs, highball glasses have been the glass of choice almost everywhere in the world. This is because the glass has ample space for gin, tonics, and of course, a generous amount of ice.
As Spain swiftly takes over from the UK in their love for gin, they have also brought a new way to enjoy gin and tonic. The Spanish Copa balloon glass has gained immense popularity for its shape and functionality in not only making the famous cocktail but also how it affects the taste.
From highball to Spanish Copa de Balon, martini glass, and tumblers, we have pulled together some of the best gin and tonic glasses, taking to mind their durability, capacity, comfort, and practicality.
Let’s dive in.
1. LSA International balloon gin glasses
- H6.75 x W4.3in
- 14.25 fl. oz
- Hand wash only
- Capacity: 420.0 milliliters
The LSA International balloon glasses are hands down the best Copa glasses for gin and tonic. First, you can put your trust in the quality that this reliable name provides when it comes to all their glassware.
That aside, the Copa glass is a balloon-like, or let's say bowl-like glass(because it can hold up to 420ml), with a beautiful glass stem that's not too heavy and not too delicate. The glass's spherical shape similar to that of a wine glass allows a generous serving of ice before you pour your gin and tonic to keep your drink refreshingly cool. You have the liberty to go crazy here and fill that balloon glass with ice cubes to keep them from melting.
The large rounded bowl with its narrow mouth helps collect all the botanical aromas of the gin and tonic and push them up to your nose as you take a sip, flooding your brain with the most amazing feeling. What's more, there is enough space inside that glass to add garnishes like citrus fruits, rosemary, and herbs to add some flavor and color.
What about the tall stem? Well, it keeps your warm hands from warming the drink and melting the ice while you are holding it.
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2. Godinger Highball Glasses
- Shannon Crystal by Godinger beautifully crafted highball glasses...
- Brilliant and timeless design will impress for years to come.
- Lead free crystal. Set of 4 - Capacity: 12oz
- Since 1973 Godinger has specialized in handcrafted silver,...
Speaking of capacity and adding garnishes to your G&T, this Hayman’s true English G&T glass is the best highball gin glass. The glass design allows you to have a balanced serve with one part gin and two parts tonic, and it holds 350ml. You can do a 100 ml tonic, 50ml gin, and fill the rest with ice.
This gin glass has made it to the number two spot for a reason. The glass is tall and slim with a thick tulip-style lip. This makes it perfect for drinking carbonated drinks because the slim shape and narrow opening minimizes carbonation loss and keeps the cocktail cool for long.
The glass is also very versatile, and you can use it to serve whiskey and soda, cocktails, bloody Marys, and island ice teas.
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3. Crystal-look acrylic tumblers
- BREAK RESISTANT DRINK WARE - Worry-free entertaining!...
- LOOK OF FINE CRYSTAL - Heavy plastic tumblers have the look of...
- MULTIPLE USES - Perfect for elegant serving of everything from...
- DETAILS - Each about 4½" tall with 16-oz. capacity.Top rack...
- Home-X is a registered trademark of Simply Home Solutions.
What if you want to go for a picnic, hold a barbeque outside, or transport your glasses to a boat ride? These crystal-look acrylic tumblers are the best gin glasses for portability. Going outside your home or the bar doesn’t mean you stop drinking your favourite gin.
These crystal-like tumblers are made of shatterproof acrylic that looks like real glass. They are so incredibly deceptive that no one will know they are not the real thing, especially when filled with some ice, gin, and tonic.
The best part is, since they are shutter-proof, your friends won't leave you with a heap of broken glass after they get all drunk and start dropping glasses all over. This glass can hold up to 350ml comfortably, which is a good amount for outdoor purposes, and they have plenty of room for crushed ice or rocks.
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4. Waterford Gin Journey Aras highball glass
- Capturing Waterfords rich Irish heritage and the trend in craft...
- Waterford's Gin Journeys collection features shapes designed for...
- The set of 2 Gin Balloon Aras glasses are rounded with a short...
- Approximate capacity: 550ml. Approximate size: 19.2cm (H) x...
Once in a while, you get to entertain a group of distinguished guests who you want to impress. Besides bringing in the best gin in town, you also have to bring the best gin glasses in terms of high-end glasses.
These Waterford Gin Journey Aras hi-ball glasses are not your everyday glasses, and you may want to save them for special occasions, considering they don't come cheap.
One thing you will notice with this gin glass is how heavy it is at 460g each, thanks to the quality of the cut-lead crystal used. The glass's shape and design are exactly the same as any other highball gin glass, except you can feel the difference in quality while holding it.
They are weighty, and the wide rim allows the aroma of gins botanicals to fill your nostrils as you take a sip. Drinking from these glasses is simply an experience as every good gin and tonic drink should be.
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5. Stemless g t glasses
- Six stemless lead free crystal Copa glasses
- Ideal for everyday use
- Dishwasher safe
Stemless gin and tonic glasses are a unique infusion of the Copa de Balon glass, tumblers, and highball glasses. These are modern gin and cocktail glasses with the same wide, rounded cups as Copa de Balons but without the stem. They are available in unique colors and designs that make drinking from them all so beautiful.
Because of their balloon-like shape, the glasses make it easier to taste and smell the gin's botanical notes as you sip your drink, and it has plenty of space for ice and garnishes. Unfortunately, you have to be careful not to warm your cocktail with your hands as the glass doesn't have a stem to hold with. You can avoid this by using ice mold or cooling gin stones instead of crushed ice.
Which Gin Glasses Should a gin lover Buy?
As with choosing your favourite gin, selecting the best gin glasses is all a matter of preference and taste. Gin lovers looking for something classy and distinguished, we recommend the Waterford Gin Journey Aras Hi Ball glassware and speckle glasses. For versatility, any tumbler variety and high ball glasses will do the trick. For martini fans, it's best to stick to a martini glass or cocktail glass as it wouldn't taste right any other way.
The glass's quality, whether it can be hand washed or machine washed, and of course the capacity matters as well.
