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

Twisted Hayworth Hiball 12.25 (35cl), set of 6

Twisted Hayworth Martini 10.5oz (30cl), set of 6

Urban Bar Retro Gold Rim Fizz Cocktail Glasses 7oz / 200ml

V Line Martini 8.75oz (25cl), set of 12

Vertis Hiball 12.5oz (36cl), set of 6

Vintage Dots Martini/Champagne 14.61cm H 23.6cl, set of 24

Vintage Dots Nick & Nora 14.92cm H 17.75cl, set of 24

Vintage Lace Martini/Champagne 14.61cm H 23.6cl, set of 24

Vintage Lace Nick & Nora 14.92cm H 17.75cl, set of 24

Vintage Martini 10.25oz (29cl), set of 24

Vivaldi Clear Double Old Fashioned 35.5cl (12.5oz), set of 12

Vivaldi Clear Hiball 41.5cl (14.5oz), set of 12

Vivaldi Clear Rocks 24.5cl (8.5oz), set of 12

Vivaldi Clear Rocks 29.5cl (10.5oz), set of 12

Wayne Hiball 12.75oz (36cl), set of 24

Wayne Hiball 8.75oz (25cl), set of 24

Wayne Old Fashioned 8.75oz (25cl), set of 24

Whisky tasting glasses, pair

Whitley Hiball 13oz (39cl), set of 6

Whitley Old Fashioned 12.5oz (37cl), set of 6

Xtra Coupe 10.5oz (30cl), set of 6

Ypsilon Margarita 17.46cm H 33cl (6 7/8″ 11 1/4oz), set of 12

Ypsilon Martini 18.42cm H 24cl (7 1/4″ 8oz), set of 12