Cocktail Glasses: 21 Types and When to Use Each
For a respectable home bar you don't need dozens of glass styles -- a handful of versatile shapes will see you through nearly every recipe. What matters more than owning every glass on this page is understanding what each one is for: how much it holds, why its shape suits a particular drink, and which glasses can reasonably stand in for another in a pinch. Below is a reference for the glassware you'll see called for throughout our recipes, from everyday tumblers to the odd specialty piece.
Coupe
Holds ~7 oz
Also known as Champagne Coupe or Champagne saucer. Fancy looking glass invented in the mid 17th century in England.
Drinks served in a Coupe: Applejack Rabbit, Blue Riband, Brandy Flip, Brandy Sangaree, Brown Derby, Cafe de Paris +49 more
Copper Mug
Holds ~12 oz
These small copper mugs are used to serve vodka based Moscow Mule cocktails. The cold metal keeps the cocktail fresh and cool.
Drinks served in a Copper Mug: Moscow Mule, Glasgow Mule, Irish Mule, Mexican Mule
Collins
Holds ~12 oz
A collins glass is a glass tumbler which typically is used to serve mixed drinks, especially Tom Collins or John Collins cocktails. It is cylindrical in shape and narrower and taller than a highball glass.
Drinks served in a Collins: Americano, Cuba Libre, Dark’n Stormy, Gin Sling, Gin Swizzle, Harvey Wallbanger +28 more
Flute
Holds ~6 oz
A flute is a tall and elegant glass designed for serving champagne cocktails. The stem allows the drinker to hold the glass without affecting the temperature of the drink.
Drinks served in a Flute: French 75, Kir, Kir Royale, Mimosa, Peach Bellini, Black Velvet +8 more
Highball
Holds ~10 oz
Tall and narrow with straight or slightly flaring sides, the highball glass is used to serve highball cocktails and other mixed drinks. A highball glass is taller than an Old Fashioned glass, and shorter and wider than a Collins glass.
Drinks served in a Highball: Air Mail, Garibaldi, Gin & Tonic, Gin Rickey, Screwdriver, Whisky Highball +12 more
Hurricane
Holds ~20 oz
Taller and much larger than a Poco Grande Glass, the Hurricane resembles a Hurricane lamp, hence his name. It is used to serve mixed drinks, particularly the Hurricane from which it is named originating at Pat O'Brien's Bar in New Orleans.
Drinks served in a Hurricane: Screaming Orgasm
Irish Coffee Mug
Holds ~10 oz
The Irish Coffee mug is, unsurprisingly, primarily used for serving Irish Coffees. Unlike a standard coffee or tea mug, it's made from clear glass and features a squat stem and base that elevate the drink off the bar or table. Some versions feature a handle, while others are more like stout wine glasses.
Drinks served in an Irish Coffee Mug: Bourbon Spice Latte, Gin & Amaretto Coffee, Hot Apple Pie Drink, Hot Not Toddy, Hot Toddy, Merry Mistletoe Hot Chocolate +3 more
Julep Cup
Holds ~12 oz
A short conical shaped cup for serving Juleps usually made of silver or tin. Beyond aesthetics, the metal helps keep a Julep cold on a hot summer day. They should be stored in the freezer.
Drinks served in a Julep Cup: Mint Julep
Martini
Holds ~7 oz
A martini glass is a stemmed glass with an inverted cone bowl, mainly used to serve straight-up cocktails. The term martini glass is often used interchangeably with cocktail glass, despite their differing slightly.
Drinks served in a Martini: Algonquin, Angelo Azzurro, Army & Navy, Californian Martini, Cold Brew Martini, Contemporary Corpse Reviver No. 2 +22 more
Margarita
Holds ~8 oz
The Margarita glass is a variant of the classic coupe glass that is typically used to serve Margaritas. It features a small, secondary bowl in the center that gives it a little extra volume and some aesthetic flair. The wide rim allows you to add extra sugar, salt or garnishes, and the design helps the user to hold it more comfortably.
Drinks served in a Margarita: Cherry Lime Margarita, Cranberry Margarita, Pomegranate Margarita
Old Fashioned
Holds ~11 oz
The old fashioned glass or rocks glass is a short tumbler used for serving spirits, such as whisky, neat or with ice cubes. It is also normally used to serve certain cocktails, such as the Old Fashioned, from which it receives its name.
Drinks served in an Old Fashioned: Black Russian, Brave Bull, Caipirinha, Coffee House, Comte de Sureau, Fitzgerald +46 more
Pina Colada
Holds ~14 oz
Sometimes referred to as Poco Grande, this type of glass is commonly used for frozen drinks. It has a similar fluted bowl shape as hurricane, but is shallower and has a longer stem.
Drinks served in a Pina Colada: Pina Colada
Rocks
Holds ~11 oz
Basically an Old Fashioned glass, but stronger with thicker glass and rim, made from toughened glass to suit drinks that require muddling.
Drinks served in a Rocks: Brandy Smash, Negroni, Paloma, Rusty Nail, Sazerac, Stinger +11 more
Shot
Holds ~2 oz
A shot glass was originally designed to hold or measure spirits. They come in all shapes and sizes. An alcoholic beverage served in such a glass is known as a 'shooter' an d is consumed quickly, in one gulp.
Drinks served in a Shot: Blow Job, Kamikaze Shot, B 52, Baby Guinness, Beam Me Up Scotty Shot
Wine
Holds ~12 oz
A wine glass is a type of glass that is used to drink and taste wine, not often used for cocktails, but worth having. The most common types are the red wine glasses, white wine glasses and sherry glasses.
Drinks served in a Wine: Amaro Spritz, Campari Spritz, Graperol Spritz, Hugo, Limoncello Spritz
Cocktail
A general term for the classic stemmed glass with a V-shaped bowl used to serve drinks straight up -- essentially interchangeable with a martini glass.
Drinks served in a Cocktail: Acacia, Between The Sheets, Blinker, Brandy Alexander, Caruso, Gimlet +7 more
Cognac
A short-stemmed snifter with a wide bowl that narrows toward the rim, designed to concentrate aroma as cognac and other brandies warm in the hand.
Drinks served in a Cognac: Neanderthal
Irish Cream Mug
A small handled mug used for Irish cream-based drinks and creamy dessert cocktails, served warm or over ice.
Drinks served in an Irish Cream Mug: Hot Apple Pie, Hot Peppermint Patty
Mug
A sturdy handled mug for hot cocktails, toddies, and other warm mixed drinks.
Drinks served in a Mug: Gin & Amaretto Hot Chocolate, Hot Buttered Rum, Spiked White Hot Chocolate, Tatratea Spiced Apple Cider, Tatratea Tea Toddy
Nick & Nora
A slightly smaller, rounder cousin of the coupe with a narrower mouth, favored for delicate stirred drinks served up.
Drinks served in a Nick & Nora: Purple People Eater, Subtle Fire
Pint
A tall, straight-sided glass best known for serving beer, also called for in shandies and beer-based cocktails.
Drinks served in a Pint: Bitter Bliss Brew, Black and Tan, Black Cossack, Blackbeard