A cocktail is only as good as the glass it is served in. Whether you are catering an event, managing your bar, or hosting a gathering, ensuring your guests enjoy their beverages is essential. Pairing the right glass with your cocktail creates an aesthetically pleasing presentation for customers. But drinkware that is chosen specifically for certain kinds of beverages, can also enhance your guests’ drinking experience. To make the most out of your cocktails, it’s important to serve them in the right glass.
Some cocktails have a certain style of drinkware attached to them automatically, like a Moscow mule or a mimosa. Other cocktails, however, can be served in all kinds of glassware, which can be confusing if you are searching for the perfect glass to fit your beverage. There are many aspects of both your drink and glass to consider before choosing the right combination. Our helpful guide on how to select the perfect cocktail glass below is ideal for navigating through your glassware collection to create unforgettable beverages for every occasion.
How Does Glassware Affect Cocktails?
The art of pairing glassware and cocktails starts with the type of cocktail you are serving. Glassware can enhance the aromas and flavor profile of a beverage and help maintain temperatures. The curvature and style of glassware is also helpful in enhancing certain aspects, like the aeration and effervescence of a beverage.
Shaking and stirring up a nice cocktail takes careful precision and effort. By pairing your cocktail with the perfect glass, you are able to give your drink the best shot in maintaining its overall quality. Your guests will not only be satisfied with the presentation of their drink, but with the longevity of its flavor profile, temperature, and smell.
How To Pair Cocktails And Glassware
The right kind of glassware is designed to upgrade your customers’ drinking experience. Before choosing a cocktail glass, you must take into consideration the drink you will be serving. If you are serving a classic old fashioned or whiskey ‘on the rocks’, you’ll want to pair them with a lowball glass that helps maintain their temperature and amplifies their aroma. Champagne flutes are ideal for keeping the bubbles in fizzy cocktails from going flat.
Matching your drinkware to your beverages depends on the specific kinds of factors found in your cocktails. Although cocktail glasses can range from traditional to specialty glassware, there are 7 styles of cocktail glasses to choose from.
Martini Glasses
Martini glasses hold around 3 to 10 ounces and oversized martini glasses have a capacity of about 6 to 12 ounces. Martini glasses are perfect for cocktails made with little to no mixers, as the triangular-shaped bowl and wide rim make it easy to sip from. Since martini glasses don’t have much room for ice, the temperature of drinks is controlled by using the long stem, as customers can use the stem to hold their glass instead of the bowl. The small bowl keeps the flavors of the beverage concise and the large opening helps open the aromas.
Drinks You Can Serve In Martini Glasses:
- Different Variations Of A Martini
- Cosmopolitan
- Pisco Sour
- Brandy Alexander
Coupe Glasses
Coupe glasses hold about 5 to 7 ounces. Coupe glasses have a rounded bowl with a wider rim that allows guests to stir or slosh their cocktail without the risk of it spilling. Similar to martini glasses, coupe glasses are ideal for shaken or stirred liquors with little to no mixers. The long stem allows the temperature to be controlled, while the wider opening helps the aromas of a cocktail to aerate and expand its flavor profile.
Drinks You Can Serve In Coupe Glasses:
- Daiquiri
- Manhattan
- Sidecar
- Gin-Campari Sour
Lowball Glasses
Lowball glasses have a capacity of about 6 to 10 ounces. ‘On the rocks’ style cocktails are typically served in lowball glasses because of their shorter, wider shape. Lowball glasses are ideal for drinks that have more liquor in them. That’s because aromas can flow easily from the rounded, larger opening and there’s plenty of room for ice and stirring.
Drinks You Can Serve In Lowball Glasses:
- Old Fashioned
- Negroni
- Vodka Greyhound
- White Russian
Highball Glasses And Collins Glasses
Highball glasses hold around 8 to 12 ounces. Collins glasses have the same shape and style as a highball glass but hold about 10 to 14 ounces. These kinds of glasses are ideal for taller cocktails or mixed drinks that hold a large volume of ice and additives, like soda, juice, or syrups. The narrow shape and smaller opening are great for bubble retention, keeping cocktails chilled, and mixing flavors.
Drinks You Can Serve In Highball Glasses And Collins Glasses:
- Mojitos
- Gin & Tonic
- Dark ‘N’ Stormy
- Americano
Margarita Glasses
Depending on the size, margarita glasses can hold around 6 to 20 ounces. Typically served at parties or events, margarita glasses can sometimes include different styles of stems and bowls. However, they normally have a wide, fish bowl-like look, broad rim, and short stem. Margarita glasses are ideal for mixed or slushed drinks, as they hold the temperature of beverages well. The broad rim of margarita glasses can be used to place salt, sugar, or a blend of spices to enhance the flavor of a cocktail as you sip.
Drinks You Can Serve In Margarita Glasses:
- Different Variations Of Margaritas
- Frozen Margaritas
Hurricane Glasses
Hurricane glasses have a capacity of 20 ounces. These kinds of glasses have a tulip or lamp shape to them and a short stem. Hurricane glasses are perfect for cocktails with several mixers and ingredients. The flared, open rim can be used to place garnishes and allow the pleasant scent of a fruity flavor profile to open up. Hurricane glasses can be used for slushed or iced beverages.
Drinks You Can Serve In Hurricane Glasses:
- Different Variations Of Hurricanes
- Blue Hawaiian
- Piña Colada
- Miami Vice
Copper Mug
Copper mugs can hold around 16 to 20 ounces. Copper is a great conductor of temperature, so this mug can keep a beverage hot or cold. This kind of drinkware has a large mug-style shape and handle that makes it easy to enjoy cocktails without letting the temperature of a drink affect your hands. Moscow mules are specifically served in copper mugs because they hold both the carbonation and temperature of a chilled beverage well, and the copper construction helps enhance the flavors of ginger beer and lime.
Drinks You Can Serve In A Copper Mug:
- Moscow Mule
- Mint Julep
- Mezcal
- Hot Toddy
