A snifter is a type of stemware, a short-stemmed glass whose vessel has a wide bottom and a relatively narrow top. It is mostly used to serve aged brown liquors such as bourbon, brandy, and whisky.

What do you use a snifter glass for?

The snifter (aka the balloon, the brandy bowl, the cognac glass) A glass firmly rooted in the gentlemen's club, this one oozes class – think whisky and cigars in the smoking room after dinner. Commonly used for brandy, it's now very much a glass for the consumption of dark, aged spirits in general.

What drink goes in a snifter?

A snifter can be used for any spirit, really (and a number of cocktails), but it's most commonly associated with cognac, other brandies, whiskey, and port or other fortified wines. The brandy snifter is designed with two purposes in mind: evaporation and concentration of aromas.

Why is it called snifter?

snifter (n.)

1844, "a drink of liquor," earlier "a sniff," from a Scottish and northern English survival of an obsolete verb snift meaning "to sniff, snivel" (mid-14c.), of imitative origin (compare sniff (v.)). Meaning "large bulbous stemmed glass for drinking brandy" is from 1937.

How do you hold a snifter glass?

Warming the glass helps release the aromas from dark spirits like brandy and bourbon, and the round glass allows you to get a noseful of them with every sip―hence the name “snifter.” Slip the stem between your fingers, tilt the snifter toward you with every sip and let science do the rest.

Bartending Tips : What Is a Snifter

27 related questions found

What are margarita glasses?

What is a Margarita Glass? The Margarita glass is a variant of the classic coupe glass that, in case the name didn't tip you off, is typically used to serve Margaritas. It features a small, secondary bowl in the center that gives it a little extra volume and some aesthetic flair.

How many ounces are in a snifter glass?

Most snifters will hold 180–240 ml (6–8 US fl oz), but are almost always filled to only a small part of their capacity. Most snifters are designed so that when placed sideways on a level surface, they will hold just the proper amount before spilling.

Why do people shake brandy in a glass?

The rounded shape of the glass is engineered to allow drinkers to inhale the brandy's aroma with each sip, letting the liquor's "bouquet" and its various notes unfold to tickle the nostrils.

Can you drink brandy from a whiskey glass?

1 Brandy should always be served in a brandy snifter (also known as a cognac glass or balloon glass). The large surface area of the glass helps evaporate the liquid. The narrow top traps the aroma inside the glass, while the rounded bottom allows it to be cupped in the hand to warm the liquor.

What is goblet glass?

A goblet is a fancy, stemmed drinking glass. ... The most common type of goblet is the one you'll see on a holiday table, a glass vessel with a stem that sits on a wide foot. There are goblets meant to hold wine, simple glass goblets, and intricately carved crystal goblets.

What glass do you use for Hennessy?

The best way to drink Cognac is no longer from the traditional "balloon" glass. According to a Cognac expert and tour guide at the Hennessy distillery in France, the best glass is actually a "tulip" glass because it allows the aroma to get to your nose.

Can you drink scotch from a snifter?

Whiskey connoisseurs will prefer a tulip or snifter that enhances the flavor, while those who are more concerned with effect over flavor should go with a shot glass. Tumblers and low balls are more flexible, and ideal for serving a variety of different whiskey drinks.

Does a Glencairn make a difference?

But if your senses are properly honed and you are seeking to experience a whisky rather than simply drink it, reach for the Glencairn. Aside from having your whisky intravenously infused, it's about as close to becoming one with any given edition as you'll ever get. It really does make a difference.

Does whiskey taste better in crystal?

Just to be clear, it doesn't change anything in the drink.

What glass should a stout be served in?

Pint Glasses

A traditional 16-ounce pint glass is perfectly suitable for many stout beers. Popular American brews, such as Rogue Ales Chocolate Stout, and oatmeal stouts like New Holland The Poet, taste excellent when poured into a traditional pint.

What do you serve with a snifter?

Snifter Glasses vs.

The Snifter was designed for enjoying brandy, cognac, & whiskey, though they are also used to serve strong ales. Beer tasting glass are for tasting all sorts of beer.

What beer goes in a snifter?

Snifter. Best For: Higher-gravity, or higher-alcohol content beers, such as Belgian ales, India pale ales, and wheat wines. Although snifter glasses are usually used for cognac or brandy, they're also perfect for big, aromatic beers.

How do you hold a brandy snifter?

Though most glasses go by the motto “stem always, bowl never,” the brandy snifter is an exception to the rule. This glass is best cupped under the bowl with the steam passing through your middle and ring fingers. Brandy will actually benefit from your hand's warmth which will help release those iconic aromas.

How big is a brandy snifter?

Snifters come in all sizes, from ridiculously tiny to gargantuan; the standard size, if there is one, is 8 to 12 ounces (of course, only 2 ounces or so of spirit is actually be poured into it).

What is highball glass?

A highball glass is a glass tumbler used to serve 'tall' cocktails and other mixed drinks that contain a large proportion of a non-alcoholic mixer, and are poured over ice. It is often used interchangeably with the Collins Glass, although the highball glass is shorter and wider in shape.

Why are margarita glasses shaped like that?

Allegedly, this glass got its shape from Marie Antoinette's left breast – she wanted her court to toast to her health by drinking out of bosom-shaped glassware. ... During the prohibition, the drink was remade with tequila instead of brandy, which became common as people drifted over the border for alcohol.

What are red wine glasses?

Red wine glasses are typically taller and have a larger bowl than white wine glasses. As reds are generally bigger and bolder wines, they require a larger glass to allow all those aromas and flavors to emerge. Here, we'll get into the various nuances between red and white glass types.