Royal Leerdam Intermezzo

The choice comes down to shape and to the fill line. The old Dutch rummer of 5 cl has a rounded bowl on a short foot and is the classic jenever glass: you can fill it to the rim without it becoming top-heavy. The tuba of 3.5 cl is narrower and straighter, and suits a short, strong drink or a liqueur after the meal. A fill line is compulsory if you run a bar and pour to measure, but it is handy at home too if you would rather not guess. Without a line the glass looks calmer on the table. Compare the shapes among the shot and liqueur glasses and the shot glasses.

Jenever is poured cold and right up to the rim, after which you leave the glass on the table and take the first sip leaning over. That sounds like folklore, but it prevents spills with a full glass of 5 cl. Liqueur is served at room temperature in the tuba, to about half a centimetre below the rim, so the aroma stays hanging above the glass. If you want to try the classic pairing of beer and jenever, the kopstoot page explains how to set them side by side.

These glasses are machine-pressed soda-lime glass and therefore a good deal sturdier than handmade bowls. They can go in the dishwasher without reservation and cope with the temperature swings of a commercial machine. Just watch the transition from bowl to foot: do not wedge them against each other in the rack, because that is where the hairline cracks start. Store them upright and the rim stays smooth, which keeps the glass pleasant to drink from.

The rest of this brand can be found at Royal Leerdam. If you want to taste and compare systematically, the tasting glasses are made for that. If you are after something roomier for a sweet liqueur after dinner, have a look at the liqueur glasses. If you pour to measure and want to do it without a fill line, the jiggers and bar measures will help. And for inspiration for a round at the bar there are recipes among the shots.