Types of Cocktail Glasses Explained
Quick Answer
Cocktail glasses come in many shapes, but a home bar really only needs a few. The essentials are a rocks glass (for an Old Fashioned or whiskey neat), a coupe or martini glass (for “up” cocktails served without ice), and a highball or Collins glass (for tall mixed drinks) — add a champagne flute and a wine glass and you can serve almost anything. The shape is not just for looks: a wide coupe releases aromatics, a tall highball keeps a mixed drink cold and fizzy, and a heavy rocks glass suits a stirred, spirit-forward drink over a big cube. Below are all 15 glass types and what each one is best for.
Cocktail Glass Guide: Which Glass for Which Drink
| Glass | Best for | Typical size |
|---|---|---|
| Martini glass | Martinis, cosmopolitans, and other “up” cocktails served without ice | 5–10 oz |
| Rocks glass (lowball / old fashioned) | An Old Fashioned, Negroni, or whiskey neat or on the rocks | 6–10 oz (12–14 oz for a double) |
| Highball glass | Tall mixed drinks like a gin and tonic or whiskey highball | 8–12 oz |
| Champagne flute | Champagne, mimosas, and sparkling cocktails | 6–10 oz |
| Wine glass | Wine, spritzes, and wine-based cocktails | Varies widely |
| Collins glass | Tall, ice-filled drinks like a Tom Collins or mojito | 10–14 oz |
| Margarita glass | Margaritas and frozen daiquiris | 8–12 oz |
| Shot glass | Shots and measuring spirits | 1.5–2 oz (US) |
| Hurricane glass | Tropical drinks like a Hurricane or piña colada | 15–20 oz |
| Pint glass | Beer and beer cocktails | 16 oz (US) |
| Coupe glass | Champagne and classic “up” cocktails like a daiquiri or sidecar | 5–8 oz |
| Irish coffee glass | Hot cocktails like Irish coffee (footed and heatproof) | 6–10 oz |
| Brandy snifter | Brandy, cognac, and aged spirits served neat | 6–12 oz (poured 1–2 oz) |
| Moscow Mule mug | A Moscow Mule (the copper keeps it icy cold) | About 16 oz |
| Tiki glass or mug | Tropical and tiki drinks like a Mai Tai | 12–16 oz |
| Nick & Nora glass | Stirred cocktails served up, like a Manhattan or martini | 5–6 oz |
Our chart of the 16 glasses below. Sizes are typical ranges; individual glasses vary by maker.
Cocktail glasses come in all shapes and sizes, each designed for specific types of drinks. The right glass can enhance the flavor, aroma, and overall drinking experience of a cocktail, making it an essential element of any well-crafted drink.
Whether it's a martini glass, a highball glass, or a champagne flute, each type of glass serves a unique purpose and can add an extra touch of elegance to any occasion.
In this article, we'll explore the various types of cocktail glasses and their uses, as well as provide tips on how to choose the right glass for your favorite cocktail. So, whether you're a seasoned bartender or a cocktail enthusiast, read on to learn about the different types of cocktail glasses and how to use them to create the perfect drink.
15 Popular Cocktail Glass Types Everyone Should Know
Here are 15 popular types of cocktail glasses and their descriptions along with their best uses:
1. Martini Glass
A classic V-shaped glass with a long stem, used for serving martinis and other cocktails that are typically served "up," without ice.
2. Rocks Glass (also known as a lowball or old fashioned glass)
A short, wide glass used for serving cocktails on the rocks, like an Old Fashioned or a whiskey sour.
See Our List of the Best Whiskey Glasses
3. Highball Glass
A tall, narrow glass used for serving highball cocktails like a gin and tonic, Bloody Mary, or a Tom Collins. Like the rocks glass, the high ball is a great glass to use when smoking a cocktail using a smoke lid.
4. Champagne Flute
A long, thin glass with a narrow bowl and a tall, thin stem, used for serving champagne and other sparkling wines.
5. Wine Glass
A stemmed glass with a round bowl and a tapered top, used for serving wine. There are many different types of wine glasses, including red wine glasses, white wine glasses, and port glasses.
6. Collins Glass
A tall, narrow glass used for serving cocktails like a gin fizz, a Tom Collins, or a mojito.
7. Margarita Glass
A large, wide glass with a long stem and a salt-rimmed edge, used for serving margaritas and other tequila-based cocktails.
8. Shot Glass
A small, thick-walled glass used for serving small amounts of liquor or other spirits. It is commonly used for serving shots of tequila, whiskey, or vodka.
9. Hurricane Glass
A tall, curvy glass used for serving tropical drinks like a Hurricane or a Mai Tai.
10. Pint Glass
A large, heavy glass with a wide mouth, used for serving beer and other beverages. It is commonly used for serving ales, lagers, and stouts.
11. Coupe Glass
A wide, shallow glass with a stem, used for serving cocktails like a daiquiri or a sidecar.
12. Irish Coffee Glass
A tall, footed glass used for serving Irish coffee, which is a coffee cocktail made with whiskey and whipped cream.
13. Brandy Snifter
A short, wide glass with a narrow top and a stem, used for serving brandy and other fine spirits. The shape of the glass allows for the aroma of the brandy to be captured and concentrated.
14. Moscow Mule Mug
A copper mug with a handle, used for serving Moscow Mules, which are cocktails made with vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice.
15. Tiki Glass
A decorative glass often used for serving tropical, fruity cocktails like a Mai Tai or a Zombie. Tiki glasses are typically shaped like tikis, tropical plants, or other island-themed objects.
Bonus: Nick & Nora Glass
A small, bell-shaped stemmed glass, usually 5 to 6 oz, named after the detective couple in The Thin Man. It does the same job as a coupe for stirred drinks served up, like a Manhattan or martini, but its taller, narrower bowl is less likely to spill. It is a great glass for a smoked Manhattan.
Pairing Cocktails With The Right Glasses
Pairing cocktails with the right glassware is not only aesthetically pleasing but also serves a functional purpose. Different cocktails require different types of glasses to enhance their flavor, aroma, and overall drinking experience.
For example, a martini glass is perfect for serving cocktails that are typically served "up" without ice, such as a classic martini or a cosmopolitan. The wide, shallow bowl of a coupe glass is ideal for serving cocktails that are shaken with ice and strained, like a daiquiri or a sidecar.
A highball glass is ideal for serving tall, refreshing cocktails like a gin and tonic or a Bloody Mary, while a rocks glass is perfect for serving cocktails on the rocks, like an Old Fashioned or a whiskey sour. Both are also great for smoking a cocktail. Using the right glassware not only improves the taste and presentation of the cocktail, but also adds an extra touch of sophistication and elegance to any occasion.
Which Cocktail Glasses Work With a Cocktail Smoker?
If you like to smoke your drinks, the glass matters for a practical reason: the smoke needs a rim to settle under. Our Smoke Lid is 4.5 inches wide and 2.25 inches tall, with a tapered base designed to fit rocks, coupe and Glencairn glasses. Here is how that plays out with the glasses above:
| Glass | With the Smoke Lid | A smoked drink to try |
|---|---|---|
| Rocks glass | The tapered base fits snug inside the rim | Smoked Old Fashioned |
| Coupe glass | Fits snug inside the rim | Smoked Manhattan |
| Glencairn glass | Sits on top of the smaller rim | Bourbon or scotch neat (see how to smoke whiskey) |
| Highball glass | Works well for tall drinks, as noted above | Smoked Bloody Mary |
Full disclosure: we make our own rocks glasses too. Our Roaring Twenties Vintage Cocktail Glasses (3 inches wide) and Signature Series Glasses (3.25 inches wide) both have a thick, sturdy base with room for a large ice cube or sphere. See the full whiskey glasses collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common cocktail glasses?
The most common are the rocks glass, the coupe or martini glass, the highball and Collins glasses, the champagne flute, the wine glass, and the margarita glass. Between them they cover the large majority of cocktails you will actually make at home.
What glass do you use for an Old Fashioned?
An Old Fashioned is served in a rocks glass, also called a lowball or old fashioned glass. It is short and wide with a heavy base, which suits a spirit-forward drink built over a single large ice cube. The International Bartenders Association's official recipe builds the drink directly in an old fashioned glass.
What is the difference between a coupe and a martini glass?
Both serve “up” cocktails without ice. The coupe is rounded and shallow, which is less prone to spilling and shows off a drink’s aromatics, while the martini glass has the iconic V shape. Many bartenders now prefer the coupe for classic cocktails.
How many cocktail glasses do you need for a home bar?
Three or four cover most drinks: a rocks glass, a coupe or martini glass, and a highball. Add a champagne flute and a wine glass and you can serve almost anything a guest might ask for.
What glass is best for a smoked cocktail?
A rocks glass or a coupe. Our Smoke Lid has a tapered base that fits snug inside both, which traps the smoke over the drink, and it also sits on top of smaller glasses like a Glencairn. Tall highball drinks work too.
What glass is a martini served in?
A martini glass, the classic V-shaped stemmed glass. The International Bartenders Association's official Dry Martini is stirred with ice and strained into a chilled martini cocktail glass. Many bartenders also use a coupe for the same up-style drinks.
What are the names of the different cocktail glasses?
The most common cocktail glasses are the martini glass, rocks glass (also called a lowball or old fashioned glass), highball, Collins, coupe, Nick & Nora, champagne flute, wine glass, margarita glass, hurricane glass, brandy snifter, Irish coffee glass, Moscow Mule mug, tiki mug, pint glass and shot glass. The chart above shows each shape with the drinks it is made for.
What is a Nick & Nora glass used for?
A Nick & Nora glass is used for stirred cocktails served up without ice, such as a Manhattan, martini or Vieux Carré. It usually holds 5 to 6 oz, and its taller, narrower bowl makes it less likely to spill than a coupe or martini glass.
