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The cocktail bowl
the elegant cocktail glass, for a nostalgic vintage atmosphere
From Marie Antoinette to the cocktail renaissance - the history of the cocktail bowl
The cocktail bowl, also known as a coupette or coupe, French for bowl, originated from the round glass with a long stem, the so-called coupe, which was used to drink champagne in 1650. The shape of this glass is said to have been modeled on the left breast of the French monarch Marie Antoinette, who was not born until 1755. Champagne glasses were particularly popular at the beginning of the 20th century up until the time of American Prohibition for drinking not only champagne but also short drinks.
Due to the fact that the champagne in the coupe glasses very quickly lost all of its carbon dioxide, the drink was served in champagne flutes in future. As a result, champagne flutes disappeared from the shelves and only returned with the cocktail renaissance as cocktail flutes in the new millennium. In the 1960s and 1970s, cocktails were served in cocktail bowls with a long stem that ended at the top in a wide bowl with rounded or sloping walls.
If you drink a suitable cocktail from such a cocktail bowl, you will quickly feel the nostalgic vintage atmosphere of that time even today. Further information about cocktail bowls, which belong to the category of cocktail glasses, can be found in the following text.
Cocktail bowls - shape, size and properties
Although the cocktail bowls are very similar to champagne bowls in their proportions, domed bowl with stem, they usually only have a capacity of 100 milliliters and a maximum volume up to the rim of 200 milliliters. There are even smaller versions, which were particularly popular in the 1950s. As a rule, short drinks are usually served as classic cocktails in cocktail bowls without ice and straws, i.e. “straight up”. The best-known cocktail glasses are: the coupette glass, the martini glass, the margarita glass and the Nick and Nora glass.
The Coupette glass - the elegant, stylish cocktail glass
The coupette has the classic shape of a cocktail bowl, but can be found in both plain and engraved versions with intricate details. A coupette is characterized by a base on which there is a stem that ends in a bulbous bowl with a large opening. Thanks to the wide opening at the top, the individual aromas are released open-heartedly, reaching all the taste zones of the tongue rather than just a few when drinking the cocktail. This makes it possible to enjoy the interplay of all the flavors and aromas. The long stem prevents the drink from heating up in the hand and ensures that it stays cool for longer.
Due to the fact that the coupette usually has a small filling volume of 100 milliliters or 200 milliliters up to the rim, short drinks are mainly served in these cocktail bowls without ice cubes. The coupette should therefore always be chilled before pouring. Otherwise, bartenders recommend drinking the cocktail served in a coupette quickly. But for which short drinks is a coupette used? For example:
Manhattan Cocktail – A Classic Aperitif
For the Manhattan Cocktail, you need the following ingredients:
• 5 cl rye whisky
• 2 cl red vermouth
• a dash of Angostura bitters
• ice cubes
• a cocktail cherry for garnish.
Preparation:
To prepare a Manhattan Cocktail, add all the ingredients to a mixing glass filled with ice cubes and stir well. Then strain the drink into a chilled coupe glass. Finally, add the cherry, and it's ready to serve.
The Martini glass - the elegant, timeless cocktail glass
The Martini glass, also known as the V-shape or pointed glass, could be described as an icon among cocktail glasses. The glass, with its straight, sloping sides, owes its fame not least to the film character James Bond. Like the coupette, this glass has a base and stem, but instead of a bowl, it has a V-shaped goblet. This goblet, which is reminiscent of an inverted pyramid and has a total volume of between 150 and 200 milliliters, gives the Martini glass its special character. The finish of the fragile, delicate glass with stem and its fine cut promise an elegant, light drinking experience. This glass is usually used to serve not only the classic Dry Martini cocktail, but also many other popular gin cocktails.
The Dry Martini Cocktail – The Classic with Gin and Dry Vermouth
Dry Martini is one of the most popular Martini cocktails. For it, you need the following ingredients:
• 5 cl gin
• 7-10 cl Martini Extra Dry
• a handful of crushed ice
• a dash of lemon for refinement
• 1-3 olives for decoration.
Preparation:
The preparation is very simple. Add all ingredients to a shaker, shake, and strain into a chilled martini glass. The final touch is the decoration with olives arranged on a cocktail stick.
The margarita glass - the teasing, curved cocktail glass
The margarita glass is a cocktail glass that takes its name from the famous cocktail served in it, namely the margarita cocktail. Although its shape is similar to that of the cocktail bowl, the glass for the margarita has two levels in the goblet. This means that there is a deeper level at the bottom of the goblet and another level towards the drinking opening, which is wider and more protruding. Visually, these cocktail bowls look very elegant and turn the enjoyment of a margarita into an incomparable experience. The capacity of the curved glass is between six and ten centiliters. Large enough to enjoy a margarita with a stylish salt rim as well as cocktails such as the White Dragon.
The White Dragon – The Margarita-like Cocktail with a Unique Flavor
Like the Margarita, the White Dragon is a tequila cocktail and shares many similarities with the classic Margarita in terms of ingredients. However, the White Dragon includes an egg white, which provides a unique flavor and a certain foaminess to the tequila cocktail.
Ingredients:
• 3 1/2 cl tequila, such as El Jimador Tequila Blanco
• 2 cl Cointreau
• 3 cl lemon juice
• an orange zest
• an egg white (organic).
First, add all ingredients except the orange zest to a shaker, then fill it with ice cubes. After shaking vigorously, strain the drink into a pre-chilled Margarita glass. Decorate with the orange zest, and the White Dragon is ready to serve and enjoy.
The Nick and Nora cocktail bowl - an elegant classic with a history
The “Nick and Nora” cocktail glass owes its name to the two screen detectives Nick and Nora Charles, who not only solved criminal cases in famous films in the 1930s, such as the thriller “The Thin Man”, but also drank many martinis from a cocktail glass with a small goblet. This glass gained enormous popularity, which led to cocktails being served in this glass with a small goblet, which was called the Nick and Nora. Today, the Nick and Nora cocktail glass can still be found in bars as a retro accessory. Thanks to the shape of this glass, you don't even have to tilt your head back to take a sip. The drink is perfectly directed to the mouth. The Nick and Nora has a volume of 160 to 170 milliliters and is ideal for classic cocktails, such as the Bronx cocktail from the film mentioned above.
The Bronx Martini Cocktail – The Mild Aperitif
The Bronx Martini is named after the New York City borough of the Bronx. This cocktail is a dry yet mild short drink, particularly popular as an aperitif. For those who find the classic Martini too dry or bitter, the Bronx, which uses both red and white vermouth as well as orange juice, offers a unique alternative. For the Bronx Martini, you need:
• 4 cl gin
• 2 cl red vermouth
• 2 cl dry white vermouth (Martini)
• 2 cl orange juice
• an orange zest
• ice cubes.
Like any other Martini cocktail, the Bronx Martine is stirred. The ingredients gin, red and white vermouth and orange juice are added to the mixing glass and filled with ice cubes. Now stir vigorously with a mixing spoon. The Bronx Martini cocktail is then poured through a strainer into the chilled glass and decorated with the orange zest or a slice of orange.
Cocktail bowls - the materials
Clear pressed glass or crystal glass is usually used for the production of cocktail bowls. However, cocktail bowls made from SAN plastic are also available. Each of these materials has both advantages and disadvantages and is more or less suitable for the individual application.
Normal Glass – Pressed Glass
Normal glass (also known as pressed or clear glass) is the most commonly used material. Cocktail glasses made from this glass are usually industrially produced, which affects the price. Otherwise, they are quite robustly made, with a pore-free surface that can be decorated with engravings and fine cuts. Clear glass cocktail glasses can even be cleaned in the dishwasher at a maximum temperature of 55 degrees Celsius.
Advantages:
• Durable and elastic
• Easy to maintain
• Affordable
Disadvantages:
• Less shiny
• Less transparent than crystal glass
Crystal Glass
Cocktail glasses made from crystal glass are much harder than those made from clear glass, thanks to the addition of metal oxides. The colorless crystal glass is highly pure and has a very beautiful shine. Due to its increased light refraction, crystal glass cocktail glasses have an exclusive appearance. They are often decorated with a cut or engraving, which looks particularly elegant. Especially the mouth-blown and masterfully cut cocktail glasses have an unsurpassed sparkle and are eye-catchers on any table and at special occasions. However, crystal glass cocktail glasses should be cleaned by hand and never in the dishwasher, as they are much more delicate than their clear glass counterparts.
Advantages:
• Higher quality and glass density than clear glass
• Superior aesthetics
• Enhances the color of the beverage
Disadvantages:
• More maintenance required compared to clear glass
SAN Plastic
Styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN) plastic is an exceptionally durable and chemically resistant material. Plastic cocktail glasses are not only crystal clear but also lightweight, food-safe, robust, and reusable. Being dishwasher-safe, they are very easy to clean. Visually, plastic cocktail glasses are almost indistinguishable from glass models. Because they are unbreakable, these glasses are ideal for street food bars, spa areas, open-air festivals, tent events, and garden parties.
Advantages:
• Unbreakable
• Lightweight
Disadvantages:
• Not as high-quality as clear or crystal glass
Short conclusion
Regardless of whether you want to treat your guests to a Dry Martini, a Margarita or a Manhattan at a party or celebration, you can only enjoy a cocktail in style if you serve it in the right cocktail glasses. However, the choice of glasses should not only match the cocktail, but also the style of your home. For example, playful cocktail bowls with fine engravings in a cosy country house style with warm colors and natural materials are just right. In a classic living style with a timeless design and elegance, opulent-looking, cut crystal or lead crystal cocktail bowls are particularly effective. Cocktail bowls with a simple design and clear lines suit a modern living style. Ultimately, however, personal taste plays just as important a role when buying cocktail bowls as the drink you want to enjoy from them.
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