Hello and Happy Tuesday, readers!

For today’s tools and tricks we thought we would focus on debunking some myths and misconceptions about some very popular glassware used in some very popular drinks today.

Because the reality is, sometimes the things that look the coolest are not actually the best…

First things first, it is important to note that almost all of the glassware in use today is far too large for drinks properly made to pre-prohibition standards.

Those drinks ranged from about 4 1/2 oz to 10 oz in size, necessitating glasses that ranged from about 5-12 oz. But today? We challenge you to find glassware for purchase that is under 8 oz. Nearly impossible.

But even more egregious are some of the more modern stemware styles which have become commonplace.

Take the martini glass, for example.

Firstly, this is not a traditional martini glass. This glass became popular long after the martini was already a drink. Classically, it was served in a small goblet that most closely resembles a glass you would see a dessert wine served in today.

This modern wide-cone glass came around much later, and was essentially a ploy by the manufacturer to popularize a new product in order to make more sales.

There is absolutely no logical reason for a martini, or any other drink for that matter, to be served in any glass like this–the reason we use them is simply because of a successful marketing campaign.

And worse still, these glasses actually pose a rather significant problem for drinks themselves, because their wide surface area mean that more of the liquid is exposed to the air causing it to warm up very quickly. Again, not great.

Similarly, these popular stemless champagne flutes are also problematic.

Again, there is no logical reason to use these glasses, they are just the product of another successful strategy to target groups of people who wanted a new, fashion-forward glass and secondarily, people who were prone to knocking over their traditional champagne flutes.

Like the modern martini glass, these stemless flutes are not just superfluous, but actually can be bad for the product they are meant to serve.

If your champagne flute has no stem, you are forced to hold it around the body of the glass, which allows the body heat coming from your hand to heat up the liquid very, very quickly. And I’m sure we all love drinking warm, flat champagne, right?

There it is, a little harsh truth for your Tuesday morning.

So the next time you are at a cocktail party and someone brags about their fancy new glassware, you can just give a little knowing smile, shake your head, and laugh on the inside.

Until tomorrow, everyone!