by Margarita Glass: The Perfect Serve for Your Favorite Cocktail
History of the Margarita Glass
The history of the margarita glass dates back to the origin of the margarita cocktail itself in the early 20th century. There are various accounts of who invented the margarita, but it is known to have originated along the US-Mexico border in places like Tijuana and San Diego. In the early days, the margarita was served in basic rocks glasses or other general purpose barware. It wasn’t until the 1950s-60s that the margarita began gaining wider popularity outside of Mexico and the American Southwest. Around this time, special stemmed glasses started being used that flared out widely at the top, perfect for catching the salt rim. This stylistic approach to the margarita glass stuck and is still predominant today.
Common Margarita Glass Shapes
While various shapes and styles of margarita glasses exist, a few key designs have endured as classics. The most iconic is a stemmed glass that widens significantly from the stem up towards the rim. The bulbous shape provides ample room for the cocktail ingredients and shows off the signature salted rim. Another common design has gently sloping sides that gradually taper inward towards the base. This creates more of an elliptical profile versus the flared styles. Both shapes effectively package the essence of the margarita in an aesthetically pleasing package. Other occasionally seen shapes include teardrop silhouettes and cylindrical tubes that telescope outward at the top.
Key Features of Quality Margarita Glasses
Whether the glass has a wide flare, gentle slope or fun teardrop shape, quality margarita ware has a few important attributes. The rim should be thick, sturdy and provide a well-defined surface to easily apply salt or sugar. Cheaply made glasses may have delicate rims prone to chipping. The stem needs to be long and narrow to comfortably hold the glass without smudging or obscuring views of the drink. Look for crystal clear glass that won’t impart any off-flavors to the beverage. Stainless, ceramic or plastic alternatives won’t have the same visual presentation as fine glassware. Top quality margarita glasses elevate not diminish the enjoyment of the cocktail they hold.
Proper Serving Guidelines and Glass Care
For an authentic margarita experience, it’s best to use the specially designed glasses at about 10-12 ounce capacity. Overfilling leads to spillage issues. Be sure to thoroughly chill the glass before adding ice and drink ingredients for optimum presentation and drinking pleasure. Consider applying a uniform coating of salt or sugar to the entire outside rim right before serving for maximum effect and freshness.
Hand washing margarita glasses is preferable to prevent etching or clouding from harsh dishwasher detergents. Air dry glasses upside down on a rack versus wiping with a towel, which can leave lint. Store glasses wrapped or in their original packaging to protect the rims from damage when nestled together. With proper care, quality margarita glasses can withstand heavy use for parties and celebrations.
What Makes a Great Margarita Glass Set?
Beyond individual glassware, sets of margarita glasses make perfect gifts or barware accents. Look for sets offering different sizes suited to various beverage and serving needs. A popular combination is an 8-10 ounce glass for single drinks paired with a 20+ ounce pitcher ideal for batch mixes. Glass sets with coordinating elements like wood boards displaying theware are nice touches. Opaque glass or frosted styles add festive flair for celebrations without detracting from color and clarity. Well-designed sets transport and grip glasses securely for transporting and storing. Top choices balance functionality, presentation qualities and showcase the essence of the margarita experience.
In summary, the margarita glass endures as an iconic stemware design complementing the flavors of the signature cocktail. Quality margarita glassware provides an excellent surface for rims, a comfortable silhouette for drinking and visual appeal to complement presentations. With proper care, these special glasses will stand the test of time for serving margaritas at parties, celebrations and casual get-togethers for many years to come.
