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The Best Shot Glasses

The origin of shot glasses can be traced to the mid-19th century, when they were used for toasts. After the toast, the glasses were slammed on the table, which made a gun-like noise. This is the derivation of the name "shot glass." Consequently, shot glasses have thick bottoms to withstand the slam on hard surfaces. A variety of shot glasses have been created over the years, such as the flute shot glass and barrel shot glass.

Cheater
- Cheater shot glasses are designed with a thick bottom, which deceives people into thinking the glass has more alcohol than it actually does. Shot glasses of this type are typically taller than most, ranging up to three inches. This enhances the illusion that the glass contains an extra amount of alcohol, but this is deceiving as the bottom of the glass is not as wide as the top.
Tonic
- The tall, narrow shape of a tonic shot glass has earned it the nickname, "megaphone shooters." A tonic shot glasses is 3¼ to 3½ inches tall and has a width of 7/8 inch at the base. At the top of the glass, though, the width increases to 1½ inches. The name of the tonic shot glass derives from the larger tonic glass, which is used in bars for mixed long drinks.
Cylinder
- The cylinder shot glass gets its name from its cylindrical shape. These shot glasses are typically 2½ inches tall and have a width of 1¾ inches at the bottom. The top of the glass is wider at 1 7/8 inches. The height of the cylinder shot glass makes it taller than other shot glasses, such as molded or paneled shot glasses.
Fluted
- Fluted shot glasses are noted for the grooves near the bottom of the glasses. These grooves are called "flutes" and most flute shot glasses have eight to 12 of these grooves encircling them. The flutes also cause it to make a ringing sound when someone rests the glass on a hard surface. Sometimes the flutes are embedded into the glass' interior.
Barrel
- A barrel shot glass has the dimensions of a barrel, where the mid-section of the glass is wider than the top or bottom sections. In order to support this dimension, a barrel shot glass is usually made from a thicker glass than other shot glasses. Most barrel shot glasses have a height of 2 to 2½ inches and a width of 1 7/8 inches in the widest part of the mid-section.

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