What is a Cocktail Glass?
A cocktail glass has a cone shape, forming a cone bowl-like structure. The best cocktail glasses have almost the same features but are slightly different in the natural design. Unlike in the old days, a modern cocktail glass set can serve more than one type of cocktail due to some special features.
After conducting our review, the Nude Glass Hepburn Set of Low Ball Glasses was the best choice for home, bar, or anywhere.
Nine Types of Cocktail Glasses to Own
On most occasions, cocktail glasses can hold about 3 to 6 liquid ounces (88 to177 milliliters) of a drink. There are several cocktail glassware brands in the market. The brand you choose determines the appearance and feel of your drink.
When thinking about setting up a party or small bar at home, you should be aware of the cocktail glassware set that you must have. Below are the top nine cocktail glasses to keep in mind:
- Single rocks glass
- Double rocks glass
- Coupe glass
- Zombie glass
- Collins and Highball glass
- Martini glass
- Margarita glass
- Hurricane glass
- The Copper mug
The Single Rocks Glasses
A single rock glass works mainly with spirits, but it still works for chilly cocktails. The most appropriate single rock cocktail glasses do not have a stem. The weight of a rock glass falls between 8 and 10 liquid ounces (236 and 295 milliliters).
The physical shape of this glass makes it ideal for stirring and mudding ingredients. You may also add cubes of ice. The single rocks home and bar glassware are ideal for serving the following forms of cocktails: Negroni, Sazerac, and old-fashioned cocktails.
Double Rocks Glasses
This type of glass is not that different from single rock glass. The significant difference usually lies in their weight. In other words, double rock glasses carry about 2 liquid ounces (59 milliliters) more than the single rock variation.
The double rock cocktail glasses have a larger size that makes them more versatile, unlike the single rock glass. The double rock glass is ideal for serving margaritas.
It is always wise to go for a double rock glass due to its versatility. The Double Rock glass is ideal for serving Negroni and old-fashioned cocktails.
The Coupe Glass
If you are the kind of person who loves getting more creative with drinks in the house, a coupe glass is the best way to go. The production of most of the traditional V shape glasses has ended and paved the way for the best coupe cocktail glasses. Many cocktail bars have been in the lead in making this replacement.
The coupe cocktail glasses have several unique features. They only hold 6 liquid ounces (177 milliliters) of a drink. This aspect enables one not to over-indulge, meaning you will only take in the right quantity.
You may also choose to go for a coupe glass that can hold from 7 to 8 liquid ounces (207 to 236 milliliters). Such a glass prevents frequent spills.
The initial primary purpose of the coupe glass was to serve champagne. However, its broad and round shape was a drawback in serving carbonated drinks. Its large surface area forced out the bubbles more quickly than usual.
When searching for a home or bar glass set that holds well-shaken cocktails, a coupe glass is the best choice. Also, most chilled drinks with ice work well with the coupe glass. When it comes to serving cocktails, this glass shows off the color of the cocktail so naturally due to its shape.
The long stem of the glass also plays an essential role. It prevents you from knocking it with your hands. Best Coupe cocktail glasses are also exceptionally delicate. You need to be extra careful when handling them to avoid washing up with your drink. The Coup glass is best when serving the following cocktails: boulevardier, manhattan, and gimlet.
The Zombie Glass
The primary purpose of this glass is to hold a mixture of liquor, rum, and juice. These mixtures make up the zombie cocktail. Of all the cocktail glasses, this glass is the tallest. The zombie glass is also relatively narrow, unlike most cocktail glasses.
The narrow and tall nature of this glass makes it possible to bring out a clear look of the cocktail color.
The Zombie cocktail glass has several other advantages. For instance, it enables you to make a cocktail with several drinks because of its large capacity. With a zombie cocktail glasses set, you may serve the fuzzy navel, zombie, and tequila sunrise.
The Collins and Highball glass
When it comes to fun cocktail glasses, Collins and Highball always come first. This aspect comes by because the glass has a narrow shape and is taller than most of the other cocktail glasses. This glass is the best for cocktails with ice.
This type of glass is also suitable for carbonated drinks. When looking for a glass that maintains your drink’s cold temperature, the Collins and Highball glass is the best choice. Also, this glass works well for the Tom Collins cocktail variation.
However, you can also use this glass to serve Paloma, Mojito, rum and coke; dark and stormy; gin and tonic are the other cocktail forms to enjoy with this glass.
Martini Glass
Martini glasses are some of the most popular cocktail glasses because many people widely use them. When holding a Martini glass, it looks very stylish. It has a V-like shape with a medium height.
The V shape feature of a Martini glass only allows a small amount of drink at a time. The small capacity cannot accommodate a cocktail with a lot of drinks. A Martini glass is even better if you use it for a single drink. You may use a Martini glass to serve the following cocktails: cosmopolitan, martini, and Sidecar.
The Margarita Glass
A large round bowl and a broad rim are the main features of a margarita glass. It can hold several garnishes due to the large capacity of the round bowl shape. With every sip you take from this glass, you enjoy all the aromatics and tastes of every drink in your cocktail.
Even after filling up this glass, its long stem provides a perfect grip, making it easy to hold. With margarita cocktail glasses, you may enjoy the following drinks: margarita on the rocks, Daiquiri, and frozen margarita.
The Hurricane Glass
This glass has unique features that make it different from most of the other cocktail glasses. A slightly short stem with a tulip-like shape and flared rim are the main features of a hurricane glass. This glass is the best choice for serving cocktails with several mixers and ingredients. In other words, the glass is ideal for tropical cocktails.
The glass can hold a maximum of 20 liquid ounces (591 milliliters) of a drink. This capacity, together with the flared lip can accommodate drinks with several fruity colors. The Hurricane glasses are suitable for the following types of cocktails, Singapore Sling, hurricane, and Pina Colada.
The Copper Mug
You can experiment even further beyond the use of regular glasses on cocktails. The copper mug proves to be more effective in keeping cocktails chilled on hot and cool days. Unlike the traditional cocktail glasses, this mug intensifies carbonation.
In most cases, the copper mug works well in serving a blend of ginger beer; vodka and lime juice that makes the Moscow Mule Cocktail. Nowadays, copper mugs have gone through a lot of improvement. For instance, stainless steel, together with other materials, forms a lining on the modern copper mugs. This aspect prevents copper from leaching into the drink.
You can best enjoy several cocktail types with the copper mug, including the Greyhound, mint Julep, and the Moscow Mule.
The Best Cocktail Glasses at a Glance
| Product | Best For | Rating |
| Nude Glass Hepburn set of 4 Low Ball Glasses | Bourbon Cognac and vodka | 5 |
| Bormioli Rocco Bodega Collection Glassware | Cocktails and water | 4.5 |
| 24 Stemless Plastic Champagne Loops | Champagne | 4.5 |
| KANARS Whisky Glasses Set of 4 Old fashioned glasses in Gift Box | Scotch, cocktail, whisky | 4.5 |
| Riedel 6417/05 Drink Specific Glassware, Nick and Nora Cocktail Glass | Cocktails | 5 |
| Riedel Drink Specific Glassware Highball Glass | Classic cocktails | 5 |
| Sempli Mont Shot- Clear Shot Glasses | Scotch, liquor, and cocktails with less or zero mixers | 4.5 |
| Libbey Blue Ribbon Stemless Margarita glasses | Cocktails | 4.5 |
| Nude Glass Big Top Coupe Glass | Cocktails with fewer mixers | 5 |
What to Look for in Cocktail Glasses
Before buying cocktail glasses, it is best you consider the following factors to ensure that you get the best glasses in the market:
- Capacity
- Material
- Versatility
Capacity
The capacity of cocktail glasses is essential. You need to be aware of the quantity of the drink that you are making. The glass you choose needs to hold the cocktail and leave a space to prevent splashes and spillage.
Material
Over the years, there has been an increase in the materials that make cocktail glasses. The materials range from regular breakable glasses to unbreakable plastics and crystals. Also, you need to check whether the material is durable and has a high quality.
Versatility
Different cocktail glasses have several uses. Some glasses may not be suitable for serving some cocktails, while others are ideal for serving all cocktails. For this reason, check if you need a cocktail glass set that may serve several cocktail variants or just a single cocktail type.
Our Reviews for the Best Cocktail Glasses
Nude Glass Hepburn Set of 4 Low Ball Glasses
Best for Bourbon Cognac and Vodka
About
With a striking balance and concept, these lowball cocktail glasses bring out a perfect balance of a design. Each piece of these glasses brings out a sense of authority and stability due to their bottoms that have gone through a unique shaping process. Also, the weight of the base compliments the balance of this glass.
With the Nude Glass Hepburn, you achieve a perfect sense of authority on the table due to its elegant crafting and an icy crystal appearance. This glass also adds a classy touch to your collection of glasses.
Size: 32 liquid ounces (946 milliliters), 3.7 inches (9.3 centimeters) height
Glass type: Low ball
Recommended use: Scotch cocktail
Number of glasses in package: 4
Color: Clear
Material: Glass
Suggested occasion: Everyday events and home uses
Pros
- It has more table stability.
- It is crystal
Cons
- The glass cannot hold cocktails with multiple drinks.
Bormioli Rocco Bodega Collection Glassware
Best for cocktails and water
About
This type of cocktail glassware can hold many different kinds of drinks. From non-alcoholics, such as water and juice, to alcoholic drinks, such as cocktails, the Bormioli Rocco Bodega glassware has got you covered. This glass is also stable due to its thick bottom and a round base.
The primary material that makes this glass is tempered glass. For this reason, be sure that buying a set of this glass makes you own a long-lasting set of glasses that cannot break whenever in use or in storage.
When it comes to cleaning this glass, you can never have a hard time. You can easily hand wash it or use a dishwasher. This clear glass never gets cloudy when you clean it more often. Also, you can use this glass anywhere, from bars and parties to everyday home occasions.
Size: 12 liquid ounces (354 milliliters)
Glass type: Lowball
Recommended use: Water and cocktails
Number of glasses in the package: 12
Color: Crystal clear
Material: Glass
Suggested occasions: Home, parties, bar
Pros
- The glass can serve different kinds of drinks.
- Highly durable.
- It is crystal in nature
- The glass can serve on several events
Cons
- It is old school in nature.
24 Stemless Plastic Champagne Flutes
Best for champagne and cocktails
Amazon’s Choice Award for Best in Champagne Glasses by Prestee
About
The crystal transparent material of this glass brings out a sparkling look and feel of your drink. This aspect ranks it among the best crystal cocktail glasses. Also its stemless body and the thick bottom makes it quite stable. For this reason, whether you are carrying these glasses on a tray or placing them on a table, you never have to worry about them tripping.
This glass is plastic, making it more durable than any other glass on the market. You may also recycle or re-use it for other purposes.
With its smooth round tips, you can be confident that you will enjoy your drink because of its easy-sipping nature. It also gives you a perfect grip because of its tapered sides.
- Size: 9 liquid ounces (266.13 milliliters)
- Glass type: Highball
- Recommended use: Champagne
- Number of glasses in the package: 24
- Color: Crystal clear
- Material: Plastic
- Suggested occasions: Weddings and parties
Pros
- The glass is highly durable.
- It has an elegant appearance.
Cons
- The glass can only be hand washed since the plastic material is not dishwasher friendly.
KANARS Whiskey Glasses
Best for scotch, cocktail, and whiskey
Amazon’s Choice Award for Best in Old-Fashioned Glasses by KANARS
About
This fine-textured glass comes with a super classy appearance from the diamond-like detail on the lower section of the glass. This feature allows this cocktail glassware to sparkle mostly when a little bit of light strikes it. This glass also stands as a magnificent piece of art due to its stylish molded style. It makes you look stylish when drinking out of it.
The solid base enables this glass to firmly grip the table or tray, thus improving its stability. Your drink will also remain at your desired temperature because of the thick sides.
You can also be sure about the durability of this glass due to its thickness. In case it falls, it does not break easily. When it comes to cleaning, this glass is relatively easy to handle. You may clean it by hand washing or using a dishwasher.
- Size: 10 liquid ounces (295 milliliters)
- Glass type: Lowball
- Recommended use: Scotch, cocktail, rum, cognac, vodka
- The number of glasses in the package: 4
- Color: Clear
- Material: Glass
- Suggested occasions: Christmas, weddings, and birthdays.
Pros
- You can clean the glass with a dishwasher.
- It has a crystal appearance.
- The glass serves several occasions.
Cons
- It has an old-school appearance.
Riedel 6417/05 Drink Specific Glassware Nick and Nora Cocktail Glass
Best for cocktails
Amazon’s Choice Award for Best in Highball Glasses by Riedel
About
The Riedel bar glassware collection has a perfect design to give you an out-of-this-world feeling every moment you take your drink from it. With a capacity of 4 liquid ounces (118 milliliters), you can be sure of enjoying a responsible amount of drink every time you indulge.
The holding stem of this glass is a little longer than usual. This feature prevents you from tipping off your drink. You can clean Riedel cocktail glasses with a dishwasher in case you need to. The type of material used in making this glass is quite strong, allowing you to boil it at high temperatures if you need to sanitize it once in a while.
- Size: 4 liquid ounces (118 milliliters) capacity, 6 inches (15 centimeters) height
- Glass type: Nick and Nora
- Recommended use: Cocktail
- The number of glasses per package: 2
- Color: Clear
- Material: Glass
- Suggested occasions: Home
Pros
- You may clean the glass with a dishwasher.
- It has a classy appearance.
Cons
- It is mostly suitable for only one-time occasion.
Riedel Drink Specific Glassware Highball Glass
Best for classic cocktails
Amazon’s Best Choice Award for Highball Glasses by Riedel
About
This highball cocktail glasses set has the unique capability of holding several pieces of ice cubes in every cocktail. The glass can also hold more giant cubes thanks to its large capacity and shape.
Most restaurants and bars are currently moving to this glass due to its capability to hold cocktails that contain several mixers. Such a move comes since many customers enjoy cocktails with more than one mixer.
- Size: 10 liquid ounces (310 milliliters)
- Glass type: Highball
- Recommended use: classic cocktails
- Number of glasses per package: 2
- Color: Clear
- Material: Glass
- Suggested occasions: Bars, Weddings, Home
Pros
- The glass serves several occasions.
- It has a large capacity.
- You may clean it using a dishwasher.
Cons
- The appearance is not that classy.
Sempli Monti-Short, Clear Shot Glasses
Best for Scotch, liquor, and cocktails with less or zero mixers
About
The Sempli Monti glasses enable you to swirl your drink. These cocktail glasses are less than medium in size, letting you have a comfortable grip and fit. With the capability of holding drinks up to 2 liquid ounces (59 milliliters), the glass is appropriate for home use and parties.
The crystal nature of the glass brings out an attractive look when held in hand. Once a drink is in the glass, the crystal nature of this glass brings out a sparkling appearance.
- Size: 2 liquid ounces (59 milliliters), 2.2 inches height
- Glass type: Rocks
- Recommended use: Liquor, cocktail
- Number of glasses in the package: 4
- Color: Clear
- Material: Glass
- Suggested occasion: Weddings, Home, Parties
Pros
- It has a crystal appearance.
- The glass serves several occasions.
Cons
- You cannot clean it with a dishwasher.
Libbey Blue Ribbon Stemless Margarita Glasses
Best for Cocktails
About
The Libbey Blue Ribbon cocktail glassware gives out the perfect shape that changes a party’s appearance because of its unique look. The glass is stemless but with a stem-like structure that is hollow, thus holding more cocktail.
- Size: 10 liquid ounces (295 milliliters)
- Glass type: Highball
- Recommended use: Cocktail
- Number of glasses per package: 6
- Color: Blue/Clear
- Material: Glass
- Suggested occasions: Home, parties
Pros
- It has a distinctive look.
- The glass serves several occasions.
- A dishwasher can wash it.
Cons
- It is not so stable when placed on a surface.
NUDE Glass Big Top Coupe Glass
Best for cocktails with fewer mixers
About
This elegant-looking cocktail glass gives you that modern theme and feel on your dinner table at home. It gives a perfect combination of the bowl and crystal touch. The thicker than usual stem gives you that firm grip, while the extended base brings more stability while on the table.
- Glass type: Coupe
- Recommended use: Cocktails
- Number of glasses in the package: 2
- Color: Clear
- Material: Glass
- Suggested occasions: Dinner
Pros
- It has a crystal look.
- It is durable.
Cons
- It is not suitable for many occasions.
Cheers!
Several best cocktail glasses give you a top-of-the-world feeling every time you take your drink from them. Different cocktail glasses are ideal for different occasions. So, you can’t miss a match for any type of event you hold.
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