Question 1

What are the main types of cocktail glass?

Accepted Answer

The common shapes are the coupe, Nick & Nora and V-shaped martini glass for drinks served up; the rocks or whisky glass for spirits over ice; the highball and collins for long drinks; and speciality shapes including the margarita glass, hurricane, shot glass and tiki mug. Most cocktails you meet at home use one of the first four.

Question 2

How many cocktail glasses do I need at home?

Accepted Answer

Two shapes cover most of it: a stemmed glass for anything strained with no ice, and a rocks glass for spirits and stirred drinks over ice. A set of highballs makes a sensible third purchase once you make gin and tonics or Mojitos often. Four of each is enough for most gatherings without filling a cupboard.

Question 3

Coupe or martini glass: which is better?

Accepted Answer

They hold the same drinks, so it comes down to handling. A martini glass has the classic V-shaped silhouette and the widest rim, which spills readily when carried. A coupe curves inwards near the rim, so moving liquid runs back towards the middle. Bars mostly use coupes or Nick & Noras now, for exactly that reason.

Question 4

What size should a cocktail glass be?

Accepted Answer

A shaken or stirred drink served up is usually 90 to 120ml once strained, so a coupe or Nick & Nora of 175 to 250ml leaves headroom for a garnish. Rocks glasses run around 250 to 300ml to fit a large cube, and highballs 300 to 400ml to take ice plus a full mixer top.

Question 5

Are cocktail glasses dishwasher safe?

Accepted Answer

Thicker tumblers and shot glasses generally are. Fine stems and thin rims on coupes, Nick & Noras and martini glasses are the parts that chip and cloud over repeated cycles, and tall glasses can rock in the basket. Hand-washing in warm water and drying with a soft cloth keeps them clear for far longer.

Cocktail glasses

Raffles Martini 6.5oz (19cl), set of 6

Raffles Vintage Coupe 5.5oz (16cl), set of 6

Raffles Vintage Martini 6.5oz (19cl), set of 6

Raffles Vintage Nick and Nora 6oz (17cl), set of 6

Rain Hiball 9oz (25cl), set of 24

Refine Nick & Nora Gold Rim 6oz (17cl) *Handwash, set of 12

Reserva Martini 8.25oz (23.5cl), set of 12

Rhine Double Old Fashioned 12.25oz (35cl), set of 6

Rhine Hiball 14.5oz (41cl), set of 6

Riedel Manhattan Hiball Tumblers 350ml

Rock Bar ICE Rocks 27cl (9 1/4oz), set of 24

Rocks B Whisky Old Fashioned 11.5oz (33cl), set of 6

Rocks S Double Old Fashioned 13.5oz (38cl), set of 24

Rocks S Long Drink 12.25oz (35cl), set of 24

Rocks S Shot 2oz (5.75cl), set of 24

Rockstar Double Old Fashioned 12.25oz (35cl), set of 6

Rockstar Hiball 16.75oz (48cl), set of 6

Rossetti Double Old Fashioned 10.25oz (29cl), set of 24

Rossetti Hiball 12.5oz (36cl), set of 24

San Marco Hiball 14oz (40cl), set of 6

Savage Coupe 7.5oz (22cl), set of 6

Savage Coupetini 6oz (17cl), set of 6

Savage Highball 11oz (33cl), set of 6

Side Double Old Fashioned 13oz (38cl), set of 12