Metal straws?

[Hassouni]

Anyone use them for their highballs, swizzles, etc? Plastic straws look really tacky with a well-made drink. I'm just wondering if they contribute a metallic flavor as they're being used.....

Edited May 11, 2012 by Hassouni (log)

[sbumgarner]

I use them and love them, I have never tasted any metallic flavors as a result.

[slkinsey]

I use them and like them. But not everyone likes the tactile sensation. Mrs. slkinsey prefers plastic straws because they have a little "give."

[EvergreenDan]

I have a set of metal spoon/straws. They are stainless steel, and I don't think they contribute flavor any more than flatwaredoes. I use them for drinks where the spoon is helpful (e.g. I have a drink that uses a cube of frozen aperol/citrus, and you break up the cube with the spoon and sip.) I have thought that a bit of careless sipping could chip your front tooth, though.

[Panaderia Canadiense]

I'm quite fond of them for Juleps and other drinks that I'd normally serve in chilled steel cups - for those I use simple steel straws. Also, like KC, I've got a set of spoon/straws which I love for things like Caipirinhas and other muddled citrus drinks, which allow me to a) muddle as I'm drinking to modulate the amount of lime/orange/whatever in each sip, and b) receive that sip biting cold, since I can pre-chill the straws the same way I'd prechill a Julep cup. (Although not too chilled, or you end up with your lips stuck to them, like licking a lamppost in the wintertime.... )

If you're worried about chipping a tooth or whatever on steel, have you ever considered glass straws (ie large-bore pipettes, hollow stirring rods, or similar)? These also look very classy, but are less likely to cause physical damage.

[FrogPrincesse]

I first saw them at a bar I frequent and I love their look and the fact that they are reusable. They don't impart a metallic taste to drinks. I am a little bothered by them though (like Mrs. slkinsey apparently) because they are cold and hard, but most likely it's just a question of habit/adjustment. Most people don't seem mind. I think I will end up buying a bunch of them just because I don't like plastic straws.

[Hassouni]

Yeah I just saw glass straws - those seem nice too, though I wouldn't want them shattering in my mouth or in the glass...

[Vieux Carré]

I do have a set of traditional silver spoon straws for my silver mint julep cups. Just had them out and polished for last weekend. Silver straws have no metallic taste.

[CaliPoutine]

I dont drink alcohol, but I love those stainless straws for my iced coffee. Love them so much, I take them with me on vacation.