Home Decor
Types of Cocktail Glasses
The main types of cocktail glasses: martini, coupe, Nick and Nora, rocks, highball, Collins, copa, margarita, hurricane and shot glass, with what each suits.
At a glance
- A martini glass or coupe suits drinks served straight up.
- A rocks glass suits spirits and short drinks over ice.
- A highball or copa suits long drinks such as a gin and tonic.
- A stemless glass has no stem to snap in storage.
Diamond Pattern Cocktail Glass, 265ml, Single Glass £18.99 · Free UK delivery Shop The main types of cocktail glasses are the martini glass, the coupe, the Nick and Nora, the margarita glass, the rocks glass, the highball, the Collins, the copa, the hurricane and the shot glass. Pick the glass by how the drink is served: straight up, over ice or long with a mixer.
What are the main types of cocktail glasses?
The main types of cocktail glasses are stemmed glasses for drinks served straight up, short tumblers for drinks over ice and tall glasses for long drinks. The table sets out ten common shapes.
| Glass | Shape | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Martini or cocktail glass | Stemmed, inverted cone bowl | Drinks served straight up |
| Coupe | Stemmed, rounder shallow bowl | Drinks served straight up |
| Nick and Nora | Stemmed, small deep bowl | Drinks served straight up |
| Margarita glass | Stemmed, wide stepped bowl | Margaritas |
| Rocks glass | Short, wide, thick base | Spirits and short drinks over ice |
| Highball | Tall and narrow | A spirit with a mixer |
| Collins | Taller and narrower than a highball | Long drinks such as a Tom Collins |
| Copa | Large round bowl on a stem | Gin and tonic |
| Hurricane | Tall curved bowl on a short stem | Tropical drinks |
| Shot glass | Small and straight-sided | A single measure |
Wikipedia defines a cocktail glass as a stemmed glass with an inverted cone bowl. It is mainly used for drinks served straight up.
What is the difference between a martini glass and a coupe?
A martini glass has steep conical sides and a coupe has a rounder, shallower bowl. Wikipedia says the steep sides stop the ingredients separating and hold a garnish such as a toothpick or olives. It also notes the martini glass spills easily. The coupe is sometimes used instead.
Both glasses are stemmed. LuxuryTrex does not stock either one at present.
What is a rocks glass?
A rocks glass is a short tumbler with a thick base for spirits or short drinks over ice. It is also called an old fashioned or lowball glass.
The whisky tumblers in the range work as rocks glasses. The types of whisky glasses guide compares their sizes.
What is a highball glass?
A highball glass is a tall, narrow glass for a spirit topped up with a mixer. A Collins glass is a taller and narrower version.
The Crystal Highball Cocktail Glass is 16cm tall and 7cm across. The supplier says it fits 50ml of spirit with 200ml of mixer and ice. The supplier names a gin and tonic, a mojito, a Negroni Sbagliato, an Aperol Spritz and a whisky highball. It has a fluted bowl and a weighted base. The supplier says the base keeps it from tipping when full. It is listed as lead-free crystal. It costs £12.99 and is currently out of stock.
What is a copa glass for gin?
A copa glass is a stemmed glass with a large balloon bowl used for gin and tonic. The wide bowl holds ice and a mixer.
Two copa products are in the range. The Crystal Gin Copa Balloon Glasses come as a set of four at £49.99. The supplier lists them as lead-free crystal with a wide bowl for gin and tonics. The Crystal Gin Glasses Copa also cost £49.99. The supplier gives no capacity or height for either. Both are currently out of stock.
What does the diamond pattern glass suit?
The diamond pattern glass suits cocktails, spirits and long drinks. It is a short stemless glass with a diamond pattern and a small flat base.
It holds 265ml and costs £18.99 for one glass. The supplier gives no height or width. It is closer to a tumbler than to a coupe.
How big should a cocktail glass be?
A cocktail glass is sized to the serve: a small stemmed bowl for straight-up drinks and a tall glass of about 350ml for long drinks.
The table lists the stated sizes of the cocktail glasses in the range.
| Glass | Capacity | Height | Stock |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diamond pattern glass | 265ml | Not stated | In stock |
| Crystal highball glass | 350ml | 16cm | Out of stock |
| Copa balloon glasses, set of 4 | Not stated | Not stated | Out of stock |
| Crystal gin copa glasses | Not stated | Not stated | Out of stock |
How do you care for cocktail glasses?
Wash cocktail glasses by hand in warm water unless the supplier says otherwise. The diamond pattern glass has no dishwasher guidance. The highball glass is listed as dishwasher safe on the top rack.
Dry each glass with a soft cloth. Dry the grooves of a patterned glass as well as the rim.
Which one to choose
Match the glass to the pour.
- Straight-up drinks: a coupe or a martini glass.
- Short drinks over ice: a whisky tumbler from the range.
- Cocktails and spirits without a stem: the diamond pattern glass.
- Long drinks: the highball or a copa once back in stock.
Every cocktail and bar glass is in Home Decor.
Cocktail and gin glasses compared in this guide
| Product | Price | Why it is here |
|---|---|---|
| Diamond Pattern Cocktail Glass, 265ml, Single Glass | £18.99 | A single stemless glass with a diamond pattern, for cocktails, spirits and long drinks. |
 Crystal Gin Glasses Copa | £49.99Out of stock | Copa-style gin glasses with no stated size or glass count, currently out of stock. |
 Crystal Gin Copa Balloon Glasses (Set of 4) | £49.99Out of stock | Four lead-free crystal copa glasses with a wide balloon bowl for gin and tonics, currently out of stock. |
 Crystal Highball Cocktail Glass. Vintage Profile | £12.99Out of stock | A tall lead-free crystal highball glass with a weighted base, currently out of stock. |
Questions answered
Which cocktail glasses should a home bar have first? +
A rocks glass and a highball cover most drinks. They take spirits over ice and long drinks with a mixer. Add a coupe for drinks served straight up.
What glass do you use for a margarita? +
A margarita glass is the classic choice. A coupe or a rocks glass also works.
What is a Nick and Nora glass? +
A Nick and Nora glass is a small stemmed glass with a deep rounded bowl. It is used for drinks served straight up.
Is a stemless glass a cocktail glass? +
Yes, it can be. A short stemless glass suits cocktails and spirits served over ice.
What is a hurricane glass for? +
A hurricane glass is for tropical drinks such as the Hurricane and the Piña Colada. It is tall with a curved bowl on a short stem.
