Have you ever wondered if the glass you’re using for your drink really matters? When you step up to a bar or browse your own glassware cabinet, you’ll see a variety of shapes and sizes. Two of the most common are the tall, slender highball glass and the short, stout Old Fashioned glass. While you could technically drink anything out of either, using the right one can genuinely enhance your beverage experience. This guide will dive deep into the highball vs old fashioned glass debate, so you’ll always know which one to reach for.
We’ll explore their distinct designs, the types of drinks they are made for, and why their shapes are so important. By the end, you’ll understand the key differences and be able to choose your glassware like a pro.
Key Takeaways
- Design Difference: Highball glasses are tall and slim, designed for drinks with a large volume of a non-alcoholic mixer. Old Fashioned glasses are short and wide with a heavy base, ideal for muddled drinks or spirits served neat or on the rocks.
- Capacity: Highball glasses typically hold 8 to 12 ounces, accommodating ice and a generous amount of mixer. Old Fashioned glasses hold 6 to 10 ounces, perfect for concentrated cocktails.
- Primary Use: Highballs are for mixed drinks like a Gin and Tonic or Scotch and Soda. Old Fashioned glasses are for spirit-forward cocktails like the Old Fashioned, Negroni, or a simple glass of whiskey.
- Functionality: The tall shape of a highball preserves carbonation, while the wide mouth of an Old Fashioned glass allows you to enjoy the aroma of the spirit.
Decoding the Highball Glass
The highball glass is the tall, chimney-shaped glass you see used for many popular mixed drinks. Its simple, elegant design is not just for looks; it serves a very specific purpose. The primary function of a highball glass is to hold a significant amount of a non-alcoholic mixer, like soda water, tonic, or juice, in addition to a shot of spirit and plenty of ice.
Its tall and narrow shape is key to its functionality. This design minimizes the surface area of the liquid exposed to the air, which helps preserve the carbonation in fizzy mixers for longer. Think about a classic Scotch and Soda or a refreshing Vodka Soda. The bubbles are a crucial part of the experience, and the highball glass ensures your drink stays lively from the first sip to the last. The generous height also allows for plenty of ice, keeping the drink chilled without diluting it too quickly.
Common Drinks Served in a Highball Glass
The highball glass is the go-to vessel for a wide range of refreshing, long drinks. Its name is even derived from a category of cocktails called “highballs,” which are simply a base spirit mixed with a larger proportion of a carbonated beverage.
Here are some classic drinks you’ll almost always see served in a highball glass:
- Scotch and Soda: A timeless combination where the glass keeps the soda water bubbly.
- Gin and Tonic: The tall shape allows for plenty of ice and tonic, making for a perfectly chilled G&T.
- Rum and Coke: Also known as a Cuba Libre when lime juice is added, this popular drink fits perfectly.
- Screwdriver: A simple mix of vodka and orange juice, the highball glass provides ample room for both.
- Dark ‘n’ Stormy: A zesty mix of dark rum and ginger beer that benefits from the glass’s ability to preserve fizz.
Understanding the Old Fashioned Glass
The Old Fashioned glass, also known as a rocks glass or lowball, is the counterpart to the highball. It is short, wide, and features a thick, heavy base. This sturdy design gives it a substantial feel in your hand and makes it incredibly stable on any surface, which is important for the types of drinks it’s designed to hold. The wide brim is one of its most important features, as it allows the drinker to appreciate the complex aromas of the spirit inside.
Unlike the highball, the Old Fashioned glass is made for spirit-forward cocktails that contain little to no mixer. Its short stature is perfect for drinks served “on the rocks” (with ice) or “neat” (without ice). The thick base is also practical for “muddling” ingredients directly in the glass—a technique where herbs, fruit, and sugar are crushed to release their flavors, which is essential for making the classic Old Fashioned cocktail.
Common Drinks Served in an Old Fashioned Glass
This glass is the champion of spirit-centric cocktails. Its design is perfect for drinks that are meant to be sipped and savored slowly. The wide mouth funnels the aromatic compounds of whiskeys, gins, and other spirits directly to your nose, enhancing the tasting experience.
Here are some iconic cocktails served in an Old Fashioned glass:
- Old Fashioned: The namesake drink, where sugar and bitters are muddled before whiskey and a large ice cube are added.
- Negroni: A perfectly balanced mix of gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth, often served with a large ice cube.
- Sazerac: An aromatic classic made with rye whiskey or cognac, traditionally served neat in a chilled Old Fashioned glass.
- Whiskey on the Rocks: The simple, timeless way to enjoy a quality whiskey, where the glass easily accommodates large ice spheres or cubes.
- White Russian: A creamy combination of vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream, built directly in the glass over ice.
Highball vs Old Fashioned Glass: A Side-by-Side Comparison
To truly understand the highball vs old fashioned glass showdown, it helps to see their characteristics laid out next to each other. While both are essential pieces of barware, their uses could not be more different. One is built for volume and refreshment, while the other is designed for concentration and aroma.
|
Feature |
Highball Glass |
Old Fashioned Glass |
|---|---|---|
|
Shape |
Tall, narrow, and straight-sided. |
Short, wide, with a thick base. |
|
Capacity |
8-12 ounces (240-350 ml) |
6-10 ounces (180-300 ml) |
|
Primary Use |
Mixed drinks with lots of non-alcoholic mixer. |
Spirit-forward cocktails, neat spirits, or drinks on the rocks. |
|
Best For |
Gin & Tonic, Scotch & Soda, Screwdriver. |
Old Fashioned, Negroni, Whiskey on the Rocks. |
|
Key Feature |
Preserves carbonation and keeps drinks cold. |
Enhances aroma and is ideal for muddling. |
|
Nickname |
Sometimes called a Collins glass (though they can differ). |
Rocks glass, lowball. |
This table makes the core differences clear. When you need to mix a spirit with a fizzy soda or a flavorful juice, the highball glass is your best friend. Its design ensures your drink is refreshing and stays carbonated. When you want to sip a finely crafted cocktail or a quality spirit, the Old Fashioned glass provides the perfect vessel to appreciate its nuanced flavors and aromas.
Does the Glass Really Change the Drink?
Yes, it absolutely does. While it might seem like a minor detail, the shape and size of a glass have a direct impact on the taste, aroma, and overall experience of a drink. The debate over highball vs old fashioned glass is rooted in the science and art of beverage enjoyment.
The Role of Shape in Aroma
For spirit-forward drinks like those served in an Old Fashioned glass, aroma is a huge component of flavor. Much of what we perceive as taste actually comes from our sense of smell. The wide mouth of a rocks glass allows volatile compounds from the spirit—the things that create its unique scent—to evaporate and reach your nose as you sip. This enhances the complexity of a good whiskey or gin, letting you appreciate all its subtle notes.
How Glassware Affects Temperature and Dilution
The amount and shape of ice a glass can hold also play a crucial role. A tall highball glass is designed for lots of smaller ice cubes, which rapidly chill a mixed drink. An Old Fashioned glass, on the other hand, is perfect for a single, large ice cube or sphere. A larger piece of ice has less surface area relative to its volume, so it melts more slowly. This cools the drink effectively with minimal dilution, preserving the intended strength and flavor of a spirit-forward cocktail.
The Impact on Carbonation
As mentioned earlier, the tall, narrow shape of a highball glass is specifically designed to preserve the fizz in carbonated mixers. With less surface area exposed to the air, the carbon dioxide bubbles escape more slowly. This means your Gin and Tonic or Rum and Coke will remain crisp and bubbly for a longer period, making for a much more refreshing experience.
Building Your Home Bar: Which Glass Do You Need?
If you’re starting to build a collection of glassware for your home bar, you might wonder which to get first. The answer really depends on what you like to drink. In an ideal world, you would have both. They serve very different purposes and are two of the most versatile and essential glasses you can own.
For a well-rounded home bar, having a set of four to six of each type is a great starting point. This prepares you for almost any drink request, whether it’s a refreshing highball on a warm day or a contemplative Old Fashioned in the evening. As you explore the world of cocktails, you’ll find yourself reaching for both on a regular basis. You can even find interesting tech and gadget news, like the latest in smart home bar technology, at sites like Silicon Valley Time.
If You Can Only Choose One
If budget or space is a concern and you must choose just one, think about your drinking habits.
- Choose the Highball Glass if: You primarily drink simple mixed drinks like Vodka Sodas, Gin and Tonics, or Rum and Cokes.
- Choose the Old Fashioned Glass if: You are a fan of sipping whiskey (neat or on the rocks) or enjoy classic cocktails like the Negroni or, of course, the Old Fashioned.
Ultimately, both are foundational pieces of any good bar setup.
Conclusion
The distinction in the highball vs old fashioned glass discussion is a perfect example of how form follows function in the world of drinkware. The tall, slender highball glass is engineered for refreshment, preserving carbonation and keeping mixed drinks cold. In contrast, the short, wide Old Fashioned glass is crafted for savoring, enhancing the aroma of spirits and accommodating cocktails that are meant to be sipped slowly.
Understanding the purpose behind each glass not only makes you a more knowledgeable host but also elevates your own drinking experience. By choosing the correct vessel, you ensure that every drink is presented and enjoyed exactly as it was intended. So next time you’re mixing a cocktail, take a moment to consider the glass. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the difference between a highball and a Collins glass?
A Collins glass is often considered a sub-type of the highball glass. It is typically taller and narrower than a standard highball and may hold slightly more liquid (10 to 14 ounces). It’s specifically named for the Tom Collins cocktail, but for most purposes, a highball and Collins glass are interchangeable.
Q2: Can I serve a highball drink in an Old Fashioned glass?
You can, but it’s not ideal. A highball drink has a large volume of mixer, which would fill an Old Fashioned glass to the brim with little room for ice. The drink would also lose its carbonation much faster due to the wide surface area.
Q3: Why is an Old Fashioned glass also called a rocks glass?
It’s called a rocks glass because it is the perfect size and shape for serving spirits “on the rocks,” which means over ice. Its wide body can easily accommodate large ice cubes or spheres.
Q4: Is it okay to chill my glassware before use?
Yes, chilling your glassware is a great professional touch! Storing glasses in a freezer or filling them with ice and water for a few minutes before you build the drink helps keep your cocktail colder for longer without extra dilution. This is especially beneficial for drinks served “up” (without ice) in an Old Fashioned glass.
Q5: What is the best way to clean highball and Old Fashioned glasses?
Most glassware is dishwasher safe, but hand-washing is often recommended to prevent cloudiness and etching over time. Use warm, soapy water and a soft sponge, and be sure to rinse thoroughly to remove any soap residue that could affect the taste of your next drink. Air-drying or drying with a lint-free microfiber cloth is best.
