There are countless types of cocktail glasses. Between the different shapes, designs, colors, and textures, there is a beautiful cocktail glass for every bar or restaurant. But how do you choose which glasses to use for your cocktails? Below, we’ve outlined the glassware that works best for each creation.

Martini Glasses

The martini glass, also known as the "cocktail glass", is great for any type of martini or short strong drink. Why? Its wide mouth enhances the flavors of your drink and encourages you to sip slowly. The long stem allows you to keep body heat away from the martini, keeping your drink nice and cold. This is why the martini glass is great for other ice-less drinks such as cosmopolitans and sidecars. 

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Coupe Glasses

Similar to the martini glass, the coupe glass also has a stem intended for temperature control. Its round shape emphasizes the color of your cocktail while also helping to balance flavors. We highly recommend these glasses for drinks that don't need ice, such as the Manhattan or Gimlet. For the reasons above coupe glasses will often replace Martini glasses.

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Highball Glasses

Highball glasses are tall glasses that are often used for mixed drinks with an abundance of ice. Unlike the coupe glass, the tall shape will maintain the drink's carbonation. Therefore the rum and coke, or anything with soda, work very well. Therefore, they also make excellent glasses for non-alcoholic beverages.

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Old Fashioned Glasses

Also known as the lowball glass or rocks glass, the old fashioned glass is short and sturdy. Unlike the highball glasses which are meant to hold a lot of ice, the short cylindrical shape is perfect for mixing spirit-heavy drinks with a block of ice in the center. Or simply use the old fashioned glass for plain liquor over ice!

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Margarita Glasses

You guessed it! Perfect for margaritas! Why? They have a wide rim, which makes it easy to add salt or sugar. The rim allows your patrons to enjoy the flavors with each sip while catching whatever garnish is used. The tall stem makes the glass easy to hold and the double bowl shape is great for frozen margaritas where there are small chunks of ice.

 

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Nick & Nora Glasses

Named after the husband and wife detective team in the 1930s, this glass is a combination of a martini glass and a coupe glass. Like the martini glass, this one has a long stem used for temperature control. At the same time, the coupe-like mouth allows for easy sipping. Replace the martini or coupe glass with the Nick & Nora for a fun twist on your signature cocktails.

 

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Level Up Your Cocktail Game!

No matter what your bartenders are serving, pairing your cocktails with the appropriate glassware shows your patrons you care about the guest experience. Contact us today for a consultation!