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

Hiball 8.5oz (24cl), set of 48

Hurricane cocktail glasses, pair, 420ml

Image Old Fashioned 13.75oz (39cl), set of 6

Imperial Plus Martini 7.75oz (22cl), set of 12

Invino Hiball Tumbler 48cl (16 8/9oz), set of 12

Istanbul Old Fashioned 6.66oz (19cl), set of 24

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

Joy Coupe 8.75oz (25cl), set of 8

Joy Double Old Fashioned 12.5oz (36cl), set of 24

Joy Hiball 10.5oz (29.5cl), set of 24

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

Joy Hiball 16.5oz (47cl), set of 24

Joy Martini 7.75oz (22cl), set of 8

Joy Nick and Nora 5.75oz (16cl), set of 24

Joy Single Old Fashioned 10.25oz (29cl), set of 24

Kalita Rocks Tumbler 34cl/12oz

Kate Optic Coupe 10.5oz (30cl), set of 6

Kendo Double Old Fashioned 20oz (57cl), set of 12

Kendo Hiball 22oz (63cl), set of 12

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

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

Leafy Old Fashioned 11.25oz (32cl), set of 24

Legacy Polycarbonate HiBall Tumbler 41cl/14.4oz

Libbey Inverness Hi-Ball 29cl/10oz