Our glassware recommendations are based on guidelines from industry sources, including the International Bartenders Association (IBA), which sets glassware standards for official cocktails, major manufacturers like Libbey and Riedel, and Dale DeGroff’s The Craft of the Cocktail. While minor variations exist, these sources largely agree on the main types of cocktail glasses and their uses. Drawing on our professional bartending expertise, we’ve created a comprehensive guide to help you choose the right type of glass for every cocktail.
This article covers 13 types of cocktail glasses, their names, and uses:
- Martini Glass
- Highball Glass
- Collins Glass
- Old Fashioned (Lowball, Rocks) Glass
- Coupe Glass
- Margarita Glass
- Hurricane Glass
- Nick and Nora Glass
- Flute Glass
- Copper Mug
- Poco Grande Glass
- Balloon Glass (Copa)
- Shot Glass
Martini Glass
A Martini Glass, also known as a cocktail glass, is an iconic piece of barware with a cone-shaped bowl and long stem. It holds a volume of 6 to 8 oz (approx. 180 to 240 ml). The main purpose is to serve chilled cocktails without ice.
Its wide rim makes the design ideal for cocktails mixed and strained. It allows the drinker to appreciate the cocktail’s aroma and flavor fully.
The martini glass made its debut at the 1925 Paris Exhibition. Its unique shape was designed for aesthetic appeal and functionality – its long stem prevents heat transfer from your hand to keep drinks colder longer. At the same time, its wide brim enhances aromas and flavors. That’s why knowing how to hold the martini glass properly is key to keeping it cold and enjoying its full flavor.
In some cases, a Martini Glass can be used interchangeably with a Coupe Glass, which has a similar volume but features a rounded bowl instead of a conical.
Use a martini glass to serve these stirred or shaken cocktails:
Highball Glass
This tall, straight-sided tumbler can hold 8 to 12 ounces (approximately 240 to 250 ml). The purpose of this glass is to serve mixed drinks, often with a high ratio of non-alcoholic mixer to spirit.
The design suits cocktails served “on the rocks” (over ice) and topped up with soda or juice. Its tall shape allows plenty of room for ice and mixers, making it ideal for long drinks to be sipped slowly.
The origin dates back to the late 19th century. The term ‘highball’ originally referred to a particular type of cocktail (see our article about highball cocktails) served in this glass style, but over time, it has come to refer more generally to any mixed drink served in such a glass.
A Highball Glass can be replaced with a Collins Glass, which is slightly taller and narrower. This variation in shape subtly alters the cocktail’s presentation, as a Collins glass more prominently showcases the fizz and color of carbonated mixers.
A highball glass can serve these cocktails:
Collins Glass
This tall, cylindrical glass holds 10 to 14 ounces (approximately 300 to 420 ml). It is intended for serving mixed drinks, especially those that consist predominantly of non-alcoholic mixers in relation to the spirit content.
The origin of this barware dates back to the mid-19th century and is named after the Tom Collins cocktail. This classic drink was traditionally served in this glass style, leading to its name.
A Collins Glass can be used interchangeably with a Highball Glass, which is slightly shorter and wider.
Collins glass cocktails examples:
- Tom Collins
- John Collins
- Vodka Collins
- Tequila Collins
- Rum Collins
More drinks? Check our Collins Cocktails page.
Old Fashioned Glass
An Old Fashioned Glass, also known as a rocks or lowball glass, is a short tumbler with a volume of 6 to 10 oz (approximately 180 to 300 ml). Its main purpose is to serve cocktails and spirits “on the rocks”.
This type of glass is ideally suited for serving strong, spirit-based drinks that require little to no mixer. It’s perfect for cocktails where the spirit is the star of the show and isn’t heavily diluted with other ingredients.
The origin can be traced back to the early 19th century. The name ‘Old Fashioned’ comes from a classic cocktail traditionally served in this glass style.
An Old Fashioned Glass can be swapped with a Double Old Fashioned Glass, a larger variant holding 12 to 16 ounces (approx. 360 to 480 ml).
Use a rocks glass to serve the following drinks:
Coupe Glass
This is an elegant, stemmed glass with a broad, shallow bowl that holds 6 oz (approx. 180 ml). The main purpose of this barware is to serve straight-up cocktails, meaning those that are shaken or stirred with ice and then strained into the glass.
The design makes it particularly suited for cocktails that are served without ice and have been pre-chilled. Its wide rim allows the drinker to experience the aroma and flavor profile of the cocktail fully.
The origin dates back to the early 17th century in England but gained popularity during Prohibition in America when cocktails became increasingly popular. It was originally designed as a champagne glass but fell out of favor due to its shape not being ideal for preserving carbonation.
Coupe Glass cocktails:
Margarita Glass
This one has a broad, double-bowl shape (one inverted over the other) and a long stem. It holds between 8 and 13 oz (approximately 240 to 390 ml). This glass is primarily designed for serving margaritas, though it can also accommodate a variety of other cocktails.
The design suits particularly for frozen or blended cocktails served without ice. Its wide rim allows for garnishes such as salt or sugar, enhancing the flavor profile and presentation of the cocktail.
Margarita Cocktail variations:
- Margarita
- Frozen Margarita
- Blue Margarita
- Strawberry Margarita
- Mango Margarita
More variations? Check our page Types of Margaritas page.
Hurricane Glass
A Hurricane Glass has a curved, tulip-like shape. It holds between 15 to 20 ounces (approx. 450-600 ml) of liquid. The main purpose of this glass is to serve tropical or exotic cocktails.
The design suits it particularly for colorful cocktails often garnished with fruit or umbrellas. Its large capacity also makes it ideal for blended drinks.
The origin can be traced back to New Orleans in the United States. It was named after it resembled a hurricane lamp and became popular at Pat O’Brien’s bar, where the eponymous “Hurricane” cocktail was served.
While a Hurricane Glass can sometimes be substituted with a Poco Grande Glass due to their similar large volume and tropical aesthetic, there are notable differences between the two. The Hurricane Glass is characterized by its curved, tulip-like shape that tapers towards the top, while the Poco Grande has a more rounded and bulbous shape.
Stock up on some Hurricane Glasses for the following mixes:
Nick and Nora Glass
This vintage-style, stemmed glass typically holds between 4.5 to 6 ounces (approx. 135-180 ml) of liquid. The main purpose of this one is to serve straight-up cocktails, meaning those that are shaken or stirred with ice and then strained into the glass.
The design makes it particularly suited for spirit-forward cocktails where the spirit is not heavily diluted with other ingredients. Its smaller size encourages slower sipping.
The origin of the Nick and Nora can be traced back to the 1930s in America. It was named after characters from Dashiell Hammett’s novel “The Thin Man,” who were known for their love of cocktails.
A Nick and Nora Glass can be used interchangeably with a Coupe or Martini Glass due to their similar volume capacity.
Present these cocktails in the stylish Nick and Nora Glass for a touch of refinement:
Flute Glass
A tall, slender, stemmed glass that holds between 6 to 10 ounces (approx. 180-300 ml) is primarily used for serving sparkling wines and specific varieties of cocktails. The origin of the Flute Glass can be traced back to France in the late 17th century when champagne was first created.
The design suits it for drinks that are topped with champagne. Its narrow shape helps preserve the bubbles in the drink longer, enhancing flavor and presentation.
Serving these cocktails:
- Kir Royale
- Bellini
- Rossini
- French 75
- Elderflower Fizz
Copper Mug
This signature mug, made from copper, is excellent for maintaining the cool temperature of drinks on a warm day due to its conductive properties. It holds between 16 to 20 ounces (approx. 480-600 ml).
Traditionally, the Copper Mug has been associated with serving the Moscow Mule cocktail – a mix of vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice. The copper material is believed to amplify the flavors of ginger beer and citrus while also enhancing carbonation. Nowadays, most Copper Mugs are lined with another material, such as stainless steel, to prevent any potential leaching of copper into beverages.
Use Copper Mug when serving these types of drinks:
- Moscow Mule
- Kentucky Mule
- Gin Mule
- Mexican Mule
- Irish Mule
More drinks? Check our Mule Cocktails page.
Poco Grande Glass
Also known as a Piña Colada Glass and is perfect for refreshing cocktails on a warm day. Its tall, curved design holds between 10 and 15 ounces (approximately 300-450 ml).
Traditionally, the Poco Grande Glass has been used to serve tropical-themed cocktails, often layered with vibrant colors and garnished with fruit or umbrellas for that extra touch of exotic flair. The shape enhances the visual appeal of these drinks, while its large capacity makes it ideal for blended beverages served over ice.
It can be used interchangeably with Hurricane Glasses, which have a similar shape and capacity.
Serve these tropical cocktails:
- Piña Colada
- Blue Hawaiian
- Chi Chi
- Planter’s Punch
- Painkiller
Coupe Balloon Glass (Copa Glass)
Also known as Copa Glass, it is a sizable, spherical glass with a stem holding between 17 to 20 ounces (approx. 510-600 ml). This type is primarily designed for serving gin and tonic cocktails.
The design suits it for cocktails served over ice and garnished with fresh fruits or herbs. Its wide bowl allows for plenty of room for these garnishes, while its long stem prevents the heat from your hand from warming the drink.
The origin can be traced back to Spain, in the Basque region, where it was traditionally used to serve wine. The shape was designed for aesthetic appeal and functionality – its wide rim enhances aromas and flavors. At the same time, its large capacity allows plenty of room for ice to keep drinks colder longer. Given their comparable volume capacities, a Large Wine Glass can be an alternative.
Shot Glass
Shot glasses are designed to hold or measure spirits. They usually hold 1.5 ounces (approx. 45 ml) of liquid.
While often associated with strong spirits, such as tequila, consumed in one gulp, they’re also commonly used for shooters. Shooters are slightly more complex than a standard shot and involve one or more spirits and liqueurs mixed, sometimes with other ingredients like cream or syrups. These mini cocktails can be layered artistically for visual appeal before being consumed in one swift drink, much like a traditional shot.
Popular shooters:
FAQs
Why is a Zombie glass not on the list?
Because it should be considered a subcategory: a Zombie glass is a higher volume Collins glass.
What do I do if my cocktail glasses get cloudy?
If your glasses become cloudy, it may be due to hard water build-up. Try soaking them in white vinegar or washing them with baking soda and warm water. Always be sure to rinse thoroughly to remove any cleaning residue.
Can I chill cocktail glasses before serving?
Chilling before serving enhances the experience, especially for cocktails served “up” like martinis. Place them in the freezer for a couple of hours or fill them with ice cubes before you start to prepare your cocktails. More details? Check our page How To Chill a Glass.
