Your Ultimate Guide to Understanding Glassware
Take your skills to the next level by learning how glassware shapes the drinks you create
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Glassware
01.
Coupes
A coupe glass is designed for serving cocktails that are shaken or stirred and then strained drinks without ice that benefit from a wide surface area. The shallow bowl lets delicate aromas open up, while the stem keeps the drink cold by preventing your hand from warming it. It’s especially popular for classics like the Daiquiri, Sidecar, and Manhattan, where elegance and temperature control matter
Purpose
Shaken or stirred cocktails served without ice
Example Cocktails
- Clover Club
- Corpse Revivers
- Sidecar
- Daiquiri
02.
Flutes
Flutes are stemmed glasses with a long and narrow body. This design helps keep evanescence alive. Making them the perfect drinking vessel for Champagne, sparkling wine or fizzy cocktails.
Purpose
Keeping the fizz in sparkling beverages
Example cocktail
- French 75
- Champagne
- Prosecco
03.
Highball
Highballs are tall sturdy glasses perfect for holding lots of liquid. Great for long drinks and tropical style cocktails. Highballs are different to Collins glasses in that they are not as narrow but can be used interchangeably in a pinch.
Purpose
Long drinks with ice
Example Cocktails
- Long Island Ice Tea
- Rum Swizzle
04.
Lowball
Lowballs are like highballs but well low. Often referred to as rocks glasses this type of glassware is perfect for a whiskey or a shorter cocktail over ice.
Purpose
Short drinks with ice
Example Cocktails
- Whiskey on the rocks
- Negroni
- Old Fashioned
05.
Martini
A Martini is only a Martini if it’s in a Martini glass. The V shape helps to push up and disperse the aroma of the drink creating a pleasanter drinking experience while amplifying the taste of the drink.
Some drinks like Espresso Martinis are more commonly served in coupes now, but either is acceptable
Purpose
V shaped glasses designed to disperse aromas
Example Cocktails
- Martini
- Espresso Martini
- Pornstar Martini
06.
Wine
We all know what wine glasses are, but did you know there are three types of wine glasses?
Red wine: glasses feature larger, rounder bowls that encourage aeration, softening tannins and amplifying complex aromas.
White wine: glasses are slightly smaller and more tapered, preserving delicate floral or citrus notes while maintaining a cooler temperature.
Dessert wine: glasses are the most petite of the three, designed to concentrate rich, sweet aromas and moderate the intensity of high‑sugar, high‑alcohol styles
Purpose
Aerate and open up aromas
Example Cocktails
- Aperol Spritz
- Hugo Spritz
- Sangria
07.
Snifter
Snifters, usually called Brandy glasses have a distinct bowl shape with a narrow rim. The bowl shape allows the brandy to open up and the narrow rim condenses all the aromas straight into your nose, the opposite of a Martini glass.
Purpose
Concentrating Aromas
Used For
- Brandy
08.
Sling
Sling glasses are a great addition to your glassware collection and add a bit of fun. Specifically for long cocktails served over crushed ice these glasses are just nice to drink out of.
Purpose
Cocktails over Ice
Example Cocktails
- Pina Colada
- Singapore Sling