Inspiration & Tips/Care advice & Guides/Glass Guide - Cocktail glasses

There are many types of cocktail glasses like the martini glass and the tumbler you see here on a mirrored tray from Spiegelau.

Glass Guide part 3 – Types of cocktail glasses and how to choose the right one

A well-crafted cocktail isn’t complete without the right glassware. The shape and size of a glass influence aroma, taste, and, of course, presentation. In part 3 of our glass guide, we explore the different types of cocktail glasses and help you find the perfect one for your drink. After all, the right glass can elevate your cocktail hour!

Updated 3rd April 2025

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Different types of cocktail glasses work for different drinks, here you see a champagne coupe Ripple from Ferm Living.

The Ripple champagne coupe from Ferm Living makes an ideal Martini glass!

Cocktail glasses – Which types of cocktail glasses are best for your favorite drinks?

Did you know that the first cocktail was mixed in the 19th century in the USA? These days, cocktails are enjoyed in bars and homes alike, whether simple or elaborate, with or without alcohol. But to serve them at their best, you need to know about the various types of cocktail glasses. Discover the ideal glass for your favorite drink below:

1. Martini & coupe glasses
2. Highball glass
3. Rocks glass
4. A Champagne flute for bubbly cocktails
5. Margarita glass

1. Martini & coupe glasses

Perhaps the most iconic among the different types of cocktail glasses, the martini and coupe glasses are instantly recognisable. Martini glasses feature a wide, conical bowl with a long stem, while coupe glasses have a rounder, shallower shape. Both are designed to hold around 10-20cl of liquid and are ideal for shaken or stirred cocktails served without ice. The stem prevents heat transfer from your hand, while the wide bowl enhances aromas.

Best for: Martini, Manhattan, Cosmopolitan

Different types of cocktail glass and used for different types of cocktails. Here you see a hand holding the Ripple coupe glass from ferm LIVING.

Ferm LivingRipple champagne glass 2-pack

£25.64£39

Here you see the right type of cocktail glass for a Martini and olives.

SpiegelauPerfect Serve Cocktail glass 17cl . 4-pack

£41.60£67.70

2. Highball glass

A highball glass is a tall and cylindrical option, perfect for mixed drinks with a larger volume of soda or juice. This type of cocktail glass is usually straight and narrow but can also be slightly rounded. The key feature is its ability to accommodate more liquid, making it ideal for refreshing, long drinks.

Best for: Gin and Tonic, Mojito, Dark and Stormy

A gin and tonic type of cocktail glass with a cocktail and lime.

OrreforsMore Gin & Tonic glass 4-pack

£54£60

Here you can see the Ripple long drink glasses from ferm LIVING, perfect for refreshing mojitos.

Ferm LivingRipple long drink glass 4-pack

£38.46£55

3. Rocks glass

Short and sturdy, the rocks glass is designed for strong, spirit-based drinks served over ice, with enough room for stirring and muddling. Among the various types of cocktail glasses, this one is essential for whiskey lovers. Classic tumblers have a thick base for durability and are designed for drinks that are built directly in the glass, eliminating the need for a shaker or mixing glass.

Best for: Old Fashioned, Negroni, Whiskey Sour

Different types of cocktail glasses for different types of drinks. Here you see the rocks glass from Orrefros with an old fashioned.

OrreforsCarat old fashioned glass 21 cl 2-pack

£45.20£50.25

Types of cocktail glasses - here you see a Christmas themed cocktail in the Holmegaard Forma tumbler.

HolmegaardForma drinking glass 30 cl 2-pack

£31.50£35

4. A champagne flute for bubbly cocktails

Champagne or Prosecco is a treat on its own, but for bubbly cocktails, the champagne flute is the best choice. This type of cocktail glass features a tall, narrow shape that preserves carbonation and enhances visual appeal with its rising bubbles. If you're crafting a champagne-based cocktail, this is the glass for you.

Best for: Champagne, Bellini, Mimosa

Here you see a champagne cocktail in the Karlevi champagne flute.

Scandi LivingKarlevi champagne glass 4-pack

£39.20£49

5. Margarita Glass

A variation of the coupe glass, the margarita glass has a wide rim, a double-bowl design, and a long stem. The broad rim is perfect for adding a salt or sugar coating to enhance the drink’s balance and flavor. When it comes to tropical or frozen cocktails, this type of cocktail glass is a must-have.

Best for: Margarita (classic or frozen), Daiquiri, Piña Colada

Different types of cocktail glasses for different types of drinks - like the margarita glass from Villeroy & Boch perfect for frozen cocktails or margaritas.

Villeroy & BochPurismo margarita glass 2-pack

£20.70£23

A hand dips the rim of a margarita cocktail glass in the salt mixture to add extra flavour to the drink.

IittalaEssence cocktail glass 4-pack

£49£80

Shaken or stirred? Choosing the right method for your cocktail

Did you know that cocktails can be built, stirred, or shaken? Building a drink means adding all the ingredients to a chilled glass before stirring, if needed. Stirred cocktails are prepared in a mixing glass to ensure minimal dilution while maintaining a smooth texture. Shaken drinks, on the other hand, are vigorously mixed in a shaker to create a frothy surface, ideal for cocktails with fruit juice, cream, or eggs. No matter the method, choosing the right type of cocktail glass ensures the best experience.

Here you see a coupe glass, one type of glass that can be used for cocktails or champagne.

Building a drink means adding all the ingredients without mixing them!

Essence cocktail glass 4-pack

31 cl

£49

To make the best cocktails you need the right bar accessories. Here you see the accessories from Design Letters.

Design Letters ice bucket

19.5 cm

£58.50

Design Letters shaker black

23 cm

£43.20

To make great cocktails you need the right type of accessories. Here you see the stainless steel cocktail shaker from Nordwik.

NordwikNordwik shaker stainless steel

£20.30£22.90

The right drink accessories for a complete home bar

A great bartender needs the right tools. Elevate your home bar with essential accessories like a drink mixer, ice bucket, muddler for crushing fruit or herbs, a stylish bottle opener, and a cocktail shaker. With these tools and a selection of the best types of cocktail glasses, you'll be ready to impress your guests with expertly crafted drinks.

Now that you have the perfect type of cocktail glass, it's time to fill it! Check out our popular cocktail recipes here!

Read the other parts of our glass guide here:

Glass Guide part 1 - Wine Glasses

Glass Guide part 2 - Beer Glasses

Photography: Elof Martinsson Angeliqa Daldorph, Design Letters, Catrine Åberg, Ardijan Mahmutaj

Arijana Rosso

Writer

Glass Guide part 3 – Types of cocktail glasses and how to choose the right one

Cocktail glasses – Which types of cocktail glasses are best for your favorite drinks?

1. Martini & coupe glasses

2. Highball glass

3. Rocks glass

4. A champagne flute for bubbly cocktails

5. Margarita Glass

Shaken or stirred? Choosing the right method for your cocktail

The right drink accessories for a complete home bar

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