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Not all cocktail glasses are created equal! From sturdy highball glasses (for delicious mixers and layered hues) to dainty, cone-shaped martini glasses (to control temperatures and keep ingredients contained), a good glass combines both function and beauty and is the ultimate cocktail accessory.
With so many options to choose from, stocking your bar cart with the perfect cocktail glasses can seem like a daunting task. But fear not! We collaborated with Meggan to pick the best cocktail glasses (and hear why she loves them!) while also scouring the internet for the highest rated and reviewed ones money can buy.
“I’ve purchased these glasses over the course of the last 10 years, the bulk in the fall of 2021 when we were shooting a lot of cocktails for the site,” Meggan says. “At the time, I researched the glasses a lot and was primarily interested in the style, weight, and overall look.”
Now all you need is a cocktail shaker to become an at-home mixologist.
Table of Contents
Our Top Picks:
- What’s in Meggan’s Kitchen: Marquis by Waterford Markham Double Old Fashion Glasses – $59.89 at Amazon
- Meggan’s Favorite Coupe Glasses: Barconic Coupe Glass – $29.97 at Amazon
- Meggan’s Favorite Crystal Glasses: Glassique Cadeau Crystal Retro Nick and Nora Coupe Glasses – $19.99 at Amazon
- Best For Martinis: Amazon Basics Chelsea Martini Glass Set – $32.85 at Amazon
- Best for Margaritas: Emporion Hand-Blown Margarita Glasses – $43.95 at Amazon
Reviews of The Best Cocktail Glasses
1. What’s in Meggan’s Kitchen: Marquis by Waterford Markham Double Old Fashion Glasses
For a Brandy Old Fashioned that looks as good as it tastes, opt for Meggan’s all-time favorite set of four crystal cocktail glasses. They offer a solid 11-ounce capacity and are wide enough for large ice cubes. We love the elegant vintage carvings at the base that have a classic mid-century modern look and make it easier to hold. They’re made of lead-free crystalline that’s safe for everyday use. Chic enough to be displayed out on your bar cart when not in use, note that these glasses are hand wash only.
The Specs:
- Material: Crystalline
- Number of glasses: 4
- Capacity: 11oz
- Usage: Single-liquor drinks
The Pros:
- Elegant design
- Wide mouth
- Good quality material
- Easy to hold
The Cons:
- Visible seam on the sides
- Too lightweight for some people
- Hand-wash only
What Others are Saying:
The Marquis by Waterford glasses have 5,500 Amazon reviews and a 4.7-star rating. They were also named the best crystal glasses by Food & Wine, the best old fashioned glass by Liquor.com, and the best classic whiskey glasses by Esquire.
Buy the Marquis by Waterford Markham Double Old Fashion Glasses:
2. Meggan’s Favorite Coup Glasses: Barconic Coupe Glasses
Nothing’s cuter than a pair of Gatsby-esque coupe glasses to keep the drinks flowing and good times rolling. Meggan loves this set of four that’s ideal for keeping a Manhattan or Gimlet at an ideal temperature. It features a wide mouth for easy sipping, a long stem to keep hands away from your chilled drink, and it features a solid 7-ounce capacity. Not only do they have enough room for heavy pours, but they’re safe for the dishwasher.
The Specs:
- Material: Glass
- Number of glasses: 4
- Capacity: 7oz
- Usage: Shaken and stirred drinks
The Pros:
- Thick and durable material
- Good for a range of cocktails
- Dishwasher-safe
The Cons:
- Too wide and shallow to keep drinks ice-cold
What Others are Saying:
These coupe glasses have a 4.7-star average Amazon rating from more than 1,200 reviews. They are also Delish’s and Robb Report’s top picks for coupe glasses.
Buy the Barconic Coupe Glasses:
3. Meggan’s Favorite Crystal: Glassique Cadeau Crystal Retro Nick and Nora Coupe Glasses
Nothing oozes more of quiet luxury than sipping an ice-cold drink from a vintage-style crystal-glass cocktail glass. Meggan’s favorite Nick and Nora coupe glass (named after fictional detectives) is the perfect vessel for any craft cocktail with its semi-narrow bell-shaped bowl. The narrower opening also limits the amount of air around the Sidecar or the Pisco Sour you’re sipping, keeping it chilled for longer. Its 5-ounce capacity is great for a 4-ounce pour, and it’s safe for use in the dishwasher. It comes in a satin-lined gift box with included recipes, making it perfect for those newlyweds, new homeowners, or yourself.
The Specs:
- Material: Crystal glass
- Number of glasses: 2
- Capacity: 5oz
- Usage: Shaken and stirred drinks
The Pros:
- Keeps drinks cold
- Dishwasher-safe
- Comes in gift box
The Cons:
- Small drink capacity
- Not 100% crystal
What Others are Saying:
These Nick and Nora glasses have a 4.5 star rating at Amazon from nearly 100 reviews.
Buy the Glassique Cadeau Crystal Retro Nick and Nora Coupe Glasses:
4. Best for Martinis: Amazon Basics Chelsea Martini Glass Set
Let your homemade Espresso Martini take center stage and opt for this basic AmazonBasics martini glass set. It doesn’t have too much flair but features a wide conical bowl to prevent the ingredients in your shaken or stirred Martini from separating, a long V-shaped stem for holding elegantly t, and a sturdy wide base to keep it secure.
It comes in a pack of 6, and the wide 4.8-inch mouth makes it easy to sip from and gives enough room for ever-necessary add-ons like stuffed olives or a twist of lemon. When not in use for cocktails, they work beautifully as mini snack holders for everything from mixed nuts to shrimp cocktails.
The Specs:
- Material: Glass and crystal
- Number of glasses: 6
- Capacity: 10oz
- Usage: Martinis
The Pros:
- Great value
- Easy to wash
- Large capacity
- Dishwasher safe
The Cons:
- Some might come with slight bubbles or imperfections
- Basic design
What Others are Saying:
These martini glasses have a 4.6-star Amazon rating and more than 1,100 reviews. They were also ranked as one of the best martini glasses by Bob Vila.
Buy the Amazon Basics Chelsea Martini Glass Set:
5. Best for Margaritas: Emporion Hand-Blown Margarita Glasses
You can always count on a refreshing Margarita to raise your, ahem, spirits after a long week. Meggan loves these traditional margarita glasses that each look a little different from one another thanks to the decorative hand blown design created by master glass blowers. They have a 4.5-inch diameter for satisfying gulps, feature a sturdy build created entirely by recycled glass, and come with an eye-catching cobalt blue rim for an authentic look.
Your Strawberry Margarita would look great in it! While they’re technically safe for use in the dishwasher on the top rack, it’s recommended you hand wash them.
The Specs:
- Material: Recycled glass
- Number of glasses: 4
- Capacity: 14oz
- Usage: Margaritas
The Pros:
- Authentic looking
- Sustainable
- Large capacity
The Cons:
- Should be hand washed
- Too large to store on a wine glass rack
What Others are Saying:
These hand blown margarita glasses have a 4.7-star Amazon rating from 180 Amazon reviews.
Buy the Emporion Hand-Blown Margarita Glasses:
Other Cocktail Glasses Meggan Likes
Estilo Glass Mason Jars
These no-fuss mason jars with an included straw and leak-proof lid for easy on-the-go drinking and are perfect for an outdoor barbecue. Because the included reusable straw is difficult to clean, they are better served for non-alcoholic drinks. The Estilo Glass Mason Jars, Set of 6 is available at Amazon for $23.99.
Paksh Novelty Italian Highball Glasses
These clear highball glasses have a large 13-ounce capacity and are available in a budget-friendly 6 pack. are a great pick for a range of mixed drinks, but some reviewers say they can break with little to no effort and the mouth diameter is too narrow for comfortable sipping. The Paksh Novelty Italian Highball Glasses, Set of 6 are available at Amazon for $27.88.
Schott Zwiesel Tritan Crystal Cocktail Tumbler
A crystal cocktail tumbler is undoubtedly a collector’s item ideal for the drinker who takes their mixologist presentation seriously. They have a crystal-clear design and can withstand the dishwasher, but because they don’t have a stem, you run the risk of your hands getting cold from the glass, so they’re better served for red wine. Or, try it with Strawberry Peach Frosé (shown above). The Schott Zwiesel Tritan Crystal Cocktail Tumbler, Set of 6 is available at Amazon for $59.45.
Riedel Drink Specific Glassware Rocks Glass
If you like to reach for a stiff drink at the end of a long day from an Old Fashioned to a Manhattan, this set of 2 cocktail glasses are for you. They have a wide mouth that holds ice cubes up to 3.2 inches wide and hold up well in the dishwasher. Their thick glass material can contribute to an uncomfortable mouthfeel for some. The Riedel Drink Specific Glassware Rocks Glass, Set of 2 is available at Amazon for $28.99.
Libbey 13-Ounce Poco Grande Glass
If you’re craving an ice-cold blended drink like a Piña Colada, Blue Hawiian, or Pirate Punch (shown above), let this 4-pack of Poco Grande glasses lead the way. They each have a generous 13-ounce capacity for heavy pours, wide enough rims to accommodate delightful add-ons from pineapple wedges to colorful umbrellas, and fluted bowls with a sizable stem to keep drinks chilled. They might not be used terribly often, but they’re a treat when they are. The Libbey 13-Ounce Poco Grande Glass is available at Amazon for $39.99.
Why You Can Trust Us
I’m Marissa, a writer and editor whose writing has featured a strong focus on cooking and nutrition since the beginning of my journalism career a dozen years ago. I have a certificate in plant-based nutrition from Cornell University, and I’ve written about food and nutrition for The New York Times, Women’s Health, MindBodyGreen, Well+Good, Cosmopolitan, Teen Vogue and more. While I’m currently on my family planning journey, I have been known among friends and family to whip up the perfect strong cocktail and I love nothing more than entertaining large groups of friends with even larger pitchers of spicy margaritas and bottomless mimosas.
I worked with cocktail connoisseur Meggan, who has garnered quite a collection of cocktail glasses over the years for her food styling photos, to pick the best ones. All these picks come from her personal (and professional!) inventory. We also looked into what mixology experts, food bloggers and top publications were saying about these glasses and vetted those options to determine how they would fit in the average mixologist’s household.
Everything to Know Before Buying Cocktail Glasses
What to Consider Before Buying Cocktail Glasses
When choosing the right cocktail glass, first determine what you’ll be using them for — a.k.a. the cocktail you plan on making. If ice-cold temperatures are a priority, look for long stems to keep warm hands at bay. If you’re into loading your cocktails with accoutrements, be sure to grab highballs with large capacities or martini glasses with wide mouths.
While glass and crystal both serve similar functions — to regulate your drink’s temperature without compromising its taste — crystal will have a lighter and thinner mouthfeel that may be more conducive to a refreshing sip.
“High-quality, delicate glassware is best hand-washed, although you can check the instructions on the package,” Meggan says. “Usually higher-quality glassware has a thinner rim, but that can make it more prone to breakage. It all comes down to personal preference.”
What Are the Types of Cocktail Glasses?
Meggan believes that using the correct glass for a specific cocktail will elevate your overall enjoyment and experience of a cocktail. “Of course, you can make any cocktail in any glass, but most cocktails were created with a certain type of glassware in mind,” she says. “It might showcase the appearance of cocktail ingredients or enhance the flavor by controlling the way you taste them, or you can connect to the history and culture of a cocktail by using the right glass.”
That said, if there’s a drink, there’s a cocktail glass that best accompanies it.
- Martini glasses feature a conical shape with a wide mouth to release its aromas and a long stem to keep it cool.
- Coupe and Nick and Nora glasses both feature a similar silhouette but with a rounded, bell-shaped bowl, making them ideal for all kinds of drinks served “up” sans ice.
- Rocks glasses are ideal for sipping anything neat or straight up and provide ample room for one or two ice cubes.
- Highball glasses are tall and skinny enough for simple mixed drinks like vodka sodas and gin and tonics that support a larger volume of non-alcoholic ingredients like ice and mixer.
How Do You Properly Hold a Cocktail Glass?
You want to do your best to avoid as much contact with your hand on the glass as possible to preserve its chilled temperature. You should hold it by the stem if one is available to you. If it isn’t, you’ll want to hold it as closely to the base as possible or place it down on the table if you’ll be sipping from it slowly throughout the night.
How Do You Rim a Cocktail Glass?
Whether you’re looking for something salty or sweet to complement your drink, a rim adds to both the flavor profile and visual appeal of your cocktail.
Start by filling a shallow dish with about a quarter inch of salt (or whatever type of sugar or spice mix your tastebuds desire). Then, glide a wedge of lemon, lime or other type of liquid-heavy fruit along the rim of the glass. Flip the glass upside down and gently place it into the mix. Rotate it a few times until the edge is evenly coated, then shake and dust off any excess before flipping it over. Now you’re ready to fill your glass and serve!
How Many Cocktail Glasses Should You Have?
The number of cocktail glasses you should own depends on a handful of factors, like how many people reside (and drink!) in your home, how many people you tend to entertain at a time, how many different types of cocktails you like to experiment with, and how long it takes for you to put away glassware after it’s taken a trip through the dishwasher.. While it doesn’t make financial sense to have a pantry full of cocktail glasses, a good rule of thumb is three to four glasses per person to account for these and also the chance of misplacement or breakage.
The Best Cocktail Recipes
Culinary Hill is rife with refreshing cocktail options that may call for some new drink-specific glassware. We highly recommend checking out the following delectable recipes for your next happy hour:
Marissa Miller is a contributing editor at CNN Underscored where she writes about and edits all things lifestyle and wellness. She's also written about food, health and nutrition for publications including The New York Times, Women’s Health, GQ, MindBodyGreen, Well+Good, Cosmopolitan, Teen Vogue and more, holds a certificate in plant-based nutrition from Cornell University, and is a certified personal trainer from the American Council on Exercise. Marissa has a degree in journalism and creative writing from Concordia University, and is the author of PRETTY WEIRD: Overcoming Impostor Syndrome and Other Oddly Empowering Lessons published by Skyhorse and distributed by Simon & Schuster. You can find her on Instagram and Twitter.