Types of Cocktail Glasses: A Simple Guide to 10 Classic Glasses

The right glass keeps a drink at the right temperature, shows off its color and carries its smell to your nose. There are many shapes, but 10 classic glasses cover almost every cocktail. And for a home bar, you only need three of them to start.

Quick Guide

Glass	Shape	Typical drinks
Coupe	Stemmed, wide shallow bowl	Daiquiri, Sidecar, Clover Club
Martini	Stemmed, V-shaped bowl	Martini, Cosmopolitan
Nick and Nora	Stemmed, small rounded bowl	Martini, Martinez, small stirred drinks
Rocks / Old Fashioned	Short, heavy, wide	Old Fashioned, Negroni, Whiskey Sour on ice
Highball	Tall, straight	Cuba Libre, Paloma, Gin and Tonic
Collins	Taller and narrower than a highball	Tom Collins, Mojito
Flute	Tall, thin, stemmed	French 75, Bellini, Mimosa
Wine glass	Large rounded bowl	Aperol Spritz, Sangria
Copper mug	Metal mug with a handle	Moscow Mule
Tiki mug / hurricane	Tall, curved or decorative	Mai Tai, Zombie, Piña Colada

Stemmed Glasses (for Drinks Without Ice)

Why a stem? When there's no ice in the glass, your hand would warm the drink. A stem keeps your fingers away from it.

Coupe

A wide, shallow bowl on a stem. It's the most useful stemmed glass at home. Almost any shaken or stirred drink served "up" looks great in it, and it's harder to spill than a martini glass. Try a Daiquiri or Sidecar.

Martini Glass

The famous V shape. It looks iconic, but the wide top makes it easy to spill. Classic for the Martini and Cosmopolitan.

Nick and Nora

A small, rounded, bell-like glass. Named after the cocktail-loving couple from The Thin Man films. Many modern bars use it for martinis because it holds a smaller, colder serving.

Flute

Tall and narrow, made to keep bubbles alive. Use it for sparkling drinks like the French 75, Bellini and Mimosa.

Short Glasses (for Drinks on Ice)

Rocks Glass (Old Fashioned Glass)

Short, wide and heavy. Fits a big ice cube. Used for spirit-forward drinks on ice like the Old Fashioned and Negroni. A "double rocks" glass is a larger version.

Tall Glasses (for Mixed Drinks)

Highball

A tall, straight glass, usually 240 to 350 ml. Made for a spirit plus a mixer over ice: Cuba Libre, Paloma, gin and tonic.

Collins

Like a highball, but taller and narrower. Named after the Tom Collins. Great for the Mojito and other fizzy drinks.

Honestly, most home bars use one tall glass for both. That's fine.

Special Glasses

Wine Glass

Not just for wine. The big bowl is perfect for a spritz with lots of ice. See our Aperol Spritz recipe.

Copper Mug

The classic serve for the Moscow Mule. The metal feels very cold in your hand. Choose mugs lined with stainless steel or tin on the inside.

Tiki Mug and Hurricane Glass

Big, fun glasses for tropical drinks with lots of crushed ice, like the Mai Tai, Zombie and Piña Colada.

Which 3 Glasses to Buy First

Coupe: for every drink served without ice
Rocks glass: for spirit-forward drinks on ice
Highball: for every tall, fizzy drink

With these three, you can serve nearly any cocktail. Add others later only if you love a certain style. See home bar essentials for tools and bottles.

Glassware Tips

Chill glasses before serving. Put them in the freezer for 10 minutes, or fill with ice water while you mix.
Match the size to the drink. A small drink in a huge glass looks sad and warms fast.
Wash by hand when you can. Dishwashers can leave a film that kills bubbles and dulls aromas.

Cocktail Glasses FAQ

What's the difference between a coupe and a martini glass? A coupe has a rounded, shallow bowl. A martini glass has a V-shaped bowl. They hold similar drinks, but a coupe spills less.

What's the difference between a highball and a Collins glass? A Collins is a bit taller and narrower. In practice, most people use them the same way.

Does the glass really change the taste? It changes temperature, aroma and how the drink feels. Those all affect how much you enjoy it.