How To Choose Cocktail Glassware To Make Better Drinks At Home

What Do You Like To Drink? Which Glass Does It Go Into?

When mixing a cocktail it is helpful to know what drink goes into which glass. I can help you learn what the best cocktail glassware essential to making better drinks at home is.

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Everyone Starts Somewhere (And Then You Learn A Tumbler Is Also A Highball)

When I first started making cocktails at home, I served my drinks in a basic tumbler (later I found out they were called Highball). I didn’t have fancy glasses and frankly didn’t even know too many fancy drinks.

These days a lot of cocktail making is all about the mixology and the appearance of the drink. I have seen things like sprigs, fruits, and burnt rosemary to enhance your cocktail experience.

The type of cocktail glassware you use is important as well as aids in the visual appeal of the drink. 

Picture this, if you ordered this colorful mixed drink and the bartender put it in a red solo cup or in this beautiful Hurricane glass. Which would seem more appealing to you?

Of course the Hurricane!!

The Best Overall Glassware Education For Your Cocktail Pleasure

When I was doing my investigation on this topic I found so many obscure glassware items. They were very interesting but most home bars don’t have room for every type of glass available.

I have chosen the types of glasses you could use in your home bar. Plus a few other popular ones so you know what they are when you are out at your local pub and hear these names.

I am going to hit these alphabetically not in any order of importance.

Beer Glassware

If you are anything like my husband and his friends you will have favorite ways to enjoy beer. Here are your choices for your beer drinkers!

Mug: Everyone knows what a beer mug is. They have a nice handle and are sometimes frozen for a chilled beer effect. They come in many sizes.

Pilsner Glass: This glass is usually tall and less in volume than a pint glass (which is much more popular). It is commonly used for lighter beers.

Pint Glass: This is the most common of beer glasses. The two most popular pint glass types are the American Pint which is commonly 16 ounces and the English Pint which is usually 20 ounces. Use this for Ales, Stouts, IPA, and Lagers.

Tulip Glass: This is very similar in appearance to the brandy snifter. This round body and flaring rim are perfect for strong brews like Double IPAs and other hoppy beer varieties.

Weizen Glass: The shape is wider at the top and is used to serve wheat-type beer. 

Different Types Of Cocktail Glasses 

This is by far the largest group of glasses but all (or most of them) are necessary. 

Collins Glass: This glass is tall and slim. It holds drinks like Gin and Tonic, Mojito, and Paloma.

Coupe Glass: This glass is similar to a wine glass with a shallow bowl. It is used to serve mixed drinks with no ice like the Gimlet, Limoncello, or the Manhattan.

Highball Glass: This glass is similar to the Collins glass but it is larger in volume. It is used for Long Island Iced Tea, Bloody Mary or your Rum and Coke.

Lowball Glass: This is a shorter version of the Highball glass. This glass is commonly used for drinking whiskey (this glass is called other names as well- watch for it).

Margarita Glass: These fun wide-mouth stemmed glasses look like a party about to happen. All home bars should have a few of these for the next Taco Tuesday. A Margarita is served in these but some also serve a Daiquiri as well.

Martini Glass: This glass has a distinctive “V” shape and usually has a stem (but lately I have been seeing more stemless varieties). You would use this glass to serve a Martini, Cosmo, or Pisco Sour.

Nick and Nora Glass: Recently I overheard a bartender talking about this glass saying that it is basically a hybrid between the Martini and the Coupe and you use it for the same purposes.

Rocks Glass: This glass has different names (Whiskey glass, Lowball glass, and Old Fashioned glass). You would normally serve drinks like a Whiskey or Scotch drink over ice or an Old Fashioned, or White Russian.

Neat Liquor Glasses

These glasses are meant for the liquid inside to be “Neat” or without ice. 

Shooter Glass: The tall shot glass as we call it at home holds more than a shot glass for holding extra goodies (like whipped cream) but still remains a shot glass. 

Shot Glass: As far as I’m concerned this is the most enjoyable of all cocktail glasses. I enjoy nothing more than doing a shot or two with friends. Make sure you have plenty of these in your home bar.

Snifter Glass: This wide-body, short-stemmed glass is best known for drinking Brandy and Cognac. 

Wine Glasses

I have seen wine glasses in all shapes and sizes and for the longest time had no clue what the differences meant. If you aren’t too familiar with wine get ready to have your mind blown!

Champagne Flute: I am sure you have seen this long stem and long narrow glass used to toast happy occasions. You can serve Sparkling wine, Champagne and Prosecco among others.

Port Wine Glass: This glass is a smaller version of a wine glass. It serves the delicious Port Wine that it is named after.

Red Wine Glass: This is the largest wine glass and helps to let the delicious scents slip out to your waiting nose. As an example you would serve Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, or Shiraz.

Universal Wine Glass: This is a great wine glass for those just starting out or who have limited space. Once you figure out which wine you prefer you can always purchase additional glasses.

White Wine Glass: This is a smaller glass than the red wine glass with a more narrow opening. Enjoy your favorite Chardonnay in this glass.

There are also stemless wine glasses that come in different varieties. 

Unusual Cocktail Glasses

This last group fits in a special category and isn’t used as often as most of the others as you will see below.

Copper Mug: This glass is used to make Moscow Mules. I have always found it handy to have two or four of them on hand because your Mule doesn’t taste as good without it.

Grappa Glass: This is a tall stemmed glass used to serve (you guessed it) Grappa. For those of you who don’t know, Grappa is made from the seeds, skins, and stems left over from winemaking and creates a delicious aperitif.

Hurricane: Whenever I see this glass I think of tropical drinks. It will usually hold 20 ounces of absolute deliciousness! It is used to serve a Hurricane or a Pina Colada among others.

Poco Grande Glass: This glass is essentially a smaller version of the Hurricane. It is commonly used with Painkillers, Pina Coladas as well as some Margaritas.

How To Start Your Collection Of The Right Cocktail Glasses

My suggestion to you is to look through this list and start collecting glassware for cocktails you currently enjoy. As your cocktail experience grows so will your glassware. 

What is your favorite vessel for your drink experience? Mine is the Collins glass. I am not sure why but I find my favorite Gin and Tonic always tastes better in this glass.