One of the comments that has been levelled at the Middle Class Reviewer is the choice of glassware. Some folks have questioned whether a half-pint tulip is really an appropriate vessel for a gin & tonic, and others have been outright aghast at my selection of a tumbler.
A few of my more pretentious chums have suggested that I use one of those absurd goldfish bowl type things.
Generally speaking, the higher the surface area of liquid exposed to the air, the more aromatics you’ll be able to pull from the gin. Glencairn whisky glasses and snifter glasses operate on this principle – a bulbed base will open out a big air:liquid ratio, allowing the volatile, scented molecules to release while the tapering top will concentrate the mix when moved to the nose and mouth. The tapering top will also prevent the mix from straying too far too quickly!
This is the argument for the fishbowl type gin glass. However – the downside of a high surface ratio of liquid:air is that often what is served in these glasses is gin & tonic. Tonic is carbonated, and the high surface area is a Bad Thing when it comes to carbonation. Garnishes and (to a lesser extent) ice in your G&T provide nucleation points for the carbon dioxide. This is actually quite a good thing in a highball, because it gives the tonic a pleasant fizz and brings a bit of life and vitality to your drink. The relatively small contact area with the air means that the carbonation lasts longer. In a fishbowl glass, the nucleation from the garnish acts to the detriment of the drink; the tonic will become flat much faster.
A properly served G&T really is best in a highball glass. Failing that, a lowball (Old Fashioned) will work. A Collins (like a highball, but generally taller and narrower) would be OK, but I personaly don’t think these leave enough room for ice and they always remind me somewhat of flower vases.
Realistically though, the vessel you select for your G&T is unimportant, providing one thing – that you enjoy your drink. Drink it from a tin mug or a paper cup if you like. As long as you’re happy, that’s the thing that matters.
On that happy note of self-affirmation, why not let’s go and pour ourself a drink? Cheers!