From beer to bubbles, wine and cocktails, there’s a glass for every drink. When choosing which type of cocktail glass or bar glassware for your home, it’s important to consider the kind of drinks you like to enjoy. Having the right bar glassware will instantly impress your guests and make for the perfect home bar set up.

Types of Cocktail Glasses & Bar Glassware

Overview:

Cocktail Glasses
Spirit & Liqueur Glasses
Beer Glasses
Wine Glasses

You’ll find that most cocktail glasses are glass, however metals (such as tin and copper) are also commonly used for cocktails as they help insulate the chilled drink.

Cocktail Glasses

Highball Glass: A highball glass is tall and on the skinnier side, holding between 240 and 350ml. While commonly confused with the collins glass, highball glasses are wider and shorter. Drinks are usually created right in the highball glass, with the ingredients poured over the ice and stirred. Popular cocktails served in highball glasses include rum and coke, gin and tonic and the classic dark and stormy.

Martini Glass: A martini glass is one of the most classic and recognisable cocktail glasses. It comes with a V-shaped bowl with a broad rim, making it easy for you to smell the aroma of your cocktail. The long stem makes it easy to hold but the shape of the glass makes it difficult to drink fast, requiring you to take sips instead. Popular cocktails served in martini glasses include martinis, cosmopolitans and sidecars.

Coupe Glass: At more modern bars, you’ll find that most martini glasses have been replaced with coupe glasses. Not only are they stylish, they also help prevent spills. Coupe glasses are similar to the classic martini glass but slightly rounder. They hold about 120ml of liquid and are best for drinks that are shaken or stirred and served without ice. They were once commonly called the champagne saucer but are no longer the go-to glass for champagne. You’ll find many craft cocktails (such as a sidecar, aviation and martinez) served in this glass.

Moscow Mule Mug:The iconic Moscow Mule mugs, also known as copper mugs, are great for keeping your cocktail cold. The copper helps insulate the mug to keep your drink colder for longer. Popular drinks that are served in a copper mug include the famous Moscow Mule, mint julep and greyhound.

Margarita Glass: A specialty cocktail glass, you’ll find that the bowl of the margarita glass has two different levels. The part of the bowl near the stem is smaller, while the top of the bowl is much broader. The wider rim is perfect for adding salt or sugar and allows you to enjoy the smell of your cocktail with each sip. A margarita glass works best for frozen drinks like a frozen margarita or a daiquiri. They come in a variety of sizes, ranging from 6 to 20 oz. It has also become normal to serve margaritas on the rocks in other glasses like pint glasses or lowball glasses.

Tip: If you're looking for a fun way to serve a '70s style prawn cocktail, crisps and dip or other finger foods at a party - try using a margarita glass.

Hurricane Glass: The hurricane glass is on the larger side (around 450ml) and adds a bit of flair to any cocktail. The hurricane cocktail was first developed in the '40s by New Orleans tavern owner, Pat O’Brien after he first poured the cocktail into a glass shaped like a hurricane lamp. The glass and the name stuck. It’s been a classic drink in the French Quarter ever since.

The hurricane glass has a tulip-like shape with a flared rim and a very short stem. The larger glass provides room for fun garnishes. Popular drinks served in this glass are piña coladas, Singapore slings and of course, hurricanes.

Mint Julep Glass: This glass is commonly called the julep glass and is typically made out of silver, copper or pewter – making it a popular choice for keeping drinks cold. Julep glasses became popular at the Kentucky Derby and have become fun collectibles. Most drinks that are served in julep glasses come with crushed or shaved ice.

Gin Balloon Glass: The gin balloon glass is also known as a cognac glass. It's a type of snifter glass that has a short stem, large round bowl and tapered top – trapping the aromas and flavours inside the glass for tasting. Gin balloon glasses are commonly used for drinking cognac, gin, whiskey and brandy.

Shot Glass: The shot glass is a common cocktail glass you’ve probably seen (and used) at a bar before. It's usually designed with thicker glass to prevent shattering, since most drinkers tend to slam the glass onto the bar or against other shot glasses. Most shot glasses hold around 37 to 44ml, meaning you can have a 29ml shot and still cheers with your friends (without spilling).

Spirit & Liqueur Glasses

Whiskey Glass:The whiskey glass is commonly known as the lowball glass, a shorter version of the highball. It's a short tumbler that commonly holds around 25 to 35ml. Lowball glasses are used for serving a neat pour of liquid, often whiskey (hence the name). Lowball glasses are perfect for muddling ingredients like mint.

Snifter Glass: Snifter glasses have larger bowls and short stems, allowing you to cradle the glass in your hand. Unlike other cocktail glasses, snifter glasses use the warmth of your hand to heat up the glass, which releases the aromas and enhances the flavour. The glasses hold between 175 to 240ml but most pours are around 60ml. The large, round bowl lets you really enjoy your drink, taking in the aromas and swirling it in the glass.

Cordial Glass: Cordial glasses have small bowls and are made with thin, delicate glass. They generally hold around 60ml and are meant for sipping cordials or liqueurs.

Tip: Be sure to hand-wash your cocktail glasses and rinse thoroughly. Dry right away to avoid water spots. When storing, flip your glasses upside down to help prevent dust and debris from collecting.

Beer Glasses

Pint Glass: Pint glasses are the most common glasses used when serving beer. They have wide brims that keep the beer head (the collar or foam that holds the beer's aromas) contained.

Beer Mug:Beer mugs are glass mugs that are best when frosted. Pop them in the freezer before pouring so you can keep your beer cold. They typically hold between 295 and 420ml.

Wine Glasses

Red Wine Glass: Red wine glasses tend to have larger bowls than white wine glasses, meaning that they are taller and wider. Red wines hold bolder flavours and the larger bowl allows the ethanol to evaporate before it hits your nose – making the wine taste smoother.

White Wine Glass: These are similar to red wine glasses but are a bit smaller and narrower. The smaller bowl preserves the aromas and helps to maintain the cooler temperature needed for white wine.

Stemless Wine Glass: These types of wine glasses are becoming more and more popular. They're great for both red and white wines, allowing for enough space to swirl, smell and savour. You don’t have to use them for just wine though, they're also great for mixed drinks or highballs.

Champagne Glass: These have a taller bowl and inwardly tapered rim. This shape helps keep the carbonation crisper for longer. They have long stems which help keep your warm hand off of the bowl, keeping it cooler for longer. Champagne glasses are a classic and come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so it is best to get what best suits your style.

Champagne Flute: Think tall, straight and slender. Champagne flutes aren't designed to be filled to the brim. The shape allows you to smell the aromas and gives room for the constant bubbles. Champagne flutes typically hold between 205 and 325ml. The flute shape provides the perfect rim for adding a garnish to the top.

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