Whether you are a savvy home mixologist or a weekend dabbler, having the proper spirits glass will up your game and make your cocktails taste better. From keeping bubbles bubbling longer to preventing your drink from getting watered down, the correct type of glassware for drinks makes a difference. And while you don't necessarily need all of these glasses in your home bar (You might need a much bigger bar cart!), it is always nice to have a couple of options for your go-to drinks.
So, how do you choose the right glass for your drink? And what is a spirit glass called, anyway? Spirits glasses come in various shapes and sizes, all with different names. Here's a list of some of the most popular types to help you on your cocktail journey.
Martini Glass
Martini glasses are great for classic cocktails like the Cosmopolitan, Manhattan, or Gin Martini. This glass features a long stem and an inverted pyramid bowl. An iconic shape perfect for drinks served up — shaken or stirred.
Old Fashioned Glass
Old Fashioned glasses, also called rocks or lowball glasses, are a short, wide tumbler style of glass that holds 6 to 8 ounces of liquor. They are perfect for drinking spirits neat or on the rocks and for lowball cocktails served with or without ice, like the Old Fashioned, Negroni, and Amaretto Sour.
Highball
Gin & Tonic lovers, pay attention! Ideal for soda-based cocktails and fizzes, the Highball or Collins glass is a tall, slim tumbler that holds 8 to 16 ounces. The tall shape is ideal for maintaining bubbles in fizzy drinks, like the Tom Collins, and for more complex cocktails, like the Long Island Iced Tea and Bloody Mary.
Copper Mug
This glass, or mug, is named after the cocktail that made it famous — the Moscow Mule. Ginger beer and vodka come together for a fizzy, punchy drink and are kept cold in this copper mug. You can find them in a variety of shapes and styles.
Glencairn Glass
If sipping Scotch whisky neat is your go-to, you need a Glencairn glass in your bar cabinet. This glass is on the smaller side and has a unique shape with a wider bowl that tappers up at the neck and rim. The shape is ideal for capturing aromas in the glass to be enjoyed with each sip.
Margarita Glass
While a Margarita is not always served in this type of glassware, you know you're bound to have a good time when you see a drink coming in this glass. The Margarita glass has a long stem like a Martini glass, but with a coupe-style bowl featuring a second smaller bowl where the stem connects.
Snifter
Featuring a short stem and a large round bowl that tappers in at the top, the Snifter glass is used for spirits like Brandy and Cognac. This bulbous shape traps all the aromas of the spirit to sniff before sipping.
Coupe
The coupe glass is often associated with Champagne and is also a fun choice for serving cocktails without ice. You'll know the Coupe glass when you see it with its long stem and wide shallow bowl.
Hurricane
Tall and curvy, Hurricane glasses will transport you to a tropical paradise. The Hurricane and Piña Colada are often served in these glasses, as well as many other fruity, tropical drinks with paper umbrellas, of course.