Mixology, the art of crafting high-end cocktails using artisanal spirits, mixers, and garnishes, is the top-shelf flavor of the moment. For cocktail connoisseurs, the glasses that house the luscious liquids are just as essential a part of the imbibing experience as the concoctions themselves. From shape to size, each is designed to further a drink’s flavors and aromas, with many carrying histories as rich as the tastes they enhance.
For more than 20 years, mixologist, charcutier and restaurant co-owner Ali Grothe has been serving drinks across Pennsylvania’s capital region, in cities like Harrisburg and Hershey, at events ranging from black tie balls and massive weddings to state chili cook-offs. And while she admits there’s no shame in serving up mixed drinks in red plastic cups, she recommends these classic types of cocktail glasses to imbue a touch of professionalism to your home bar.
1. Rocks glass
Rocks glasses, also known as lowball, whiskey, or old fashioned glasses, have been bar staples since the late 19th century, with ancestral roots dating back to the 16th. Their broad rim, Grothe explains, allows easy access to a drink’s aromas, crucial for enjoyment of slow-drinking cocktails like the Old Fashioned or Negroni. She also notes their sturdy base is perfect for muddling and emphasizes their versatility: “They are ideal for serving juice-based cocktails, as well as whiskey on the rocks, neat pours of scotch, a Sazerac, a margarita, or other non-alcoholic beverages.”
2. Highball glass
The highball’s height allows bubbles in carbonated mixers to rise slowly, maintaining fizz to the last sip. That quality makes it a choice glass for drinks like the Dark ‘n’ Stormy or mojito. “This tumbler is great for ‘tall’ cocktails, with a large proportion of a non-alcoholic mixer served over ice, as well as a bloody mary or Tom Collins,” says Grothe, adding that while similar to a Collins glass, the highball is shorter and wider. The drink the glass is named after dates to the mid-1600s, with some claiming its title comes from railroad slang.
3. Snifter
Synonymous with brandy, cognac, and whiskey (while also perfect for high-ABV craft ales), the snifter is designed to arouse a spirit’s aromas while warming in your hand. “Snifters have a very short stem that is meant to be cradled in the palm,” Grothe explains. “The large bowl allows the drink to be swirled, and the shorter mouth traps aromas, allowing the drinker to enjoy a more prominent smell as they sip.” The snifter’s name is a medley of Middle English words “sniff” and “snort,” and some propose snifter-type vessels were used in ancient Rome.
4. Copper mug
As the Moscow mule rose to prominence in 1940s Los Angeles — as part of a fledgling vodka brand’s marketing campaign — so too did the copper mug. Copper’s conductive properties interact uniquely with the mule’s ginger beer, boosting the drink’s zing; this metal mug is also a dream for other on-the-rocks drinks, as copper conducts cold nearly 400 times more efficiently than glass. The distinctive look of copper mugs also adds rustic character to a bar shelf full of nothing but glass.
5. Coupe glass
Ever present during the Prohibition era, the coupe is an icon of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Ideal for drinks with delicate flavors, its wide surface area lets ingredients breathe and aromatize. Grothe notes, “This one almost resembles a martini glass, with a shallow bowl atop a long stem to prevent hand heat from affecting the drink.” Popular for Champagne in the 19th century, its broad top is perfect for ice-free drinks, such as the daiquiri, gimlet, sidecar, or frozen drinks. One legend about the coupe glass has its bosomy shape modeled after Marie Antoinette’s left breast (though evidence to support this is virtually nonexistent).
6. Champagne flute
Champagne flutes epitomize sophistication, with a tall, slender design that preserves bubbles by minimizing the wine’s surface area exposed to air. The long stem prevents hand warming, keeping the wine crisp, while the narrow bowl and small mouth concentrate its aromas. By the 1920s, the flute, named for its general resemblance to the musical instrument, became the preferred glass for Champagne over the coupe. It’s also perfect for prosecco or bubbly cocktails like the mimosa, Bellini, or French 75.
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7. Cognac glass
The cognac glass, a consummate vessel for enjoying the type of brandy for which the glass is named, resembles a snifter but with a narrower bowl and rim, giving it a tulip shape that directs aromas toward the nose. Crafted specifically for palm cradling and spirit swirling, it focuses aromas further upward, a must for drinking cognac, brandy, Armagnac, or aged whiskey, Grothe says. The glass’ earliest form, the “chimney glass,” was introduced to 16th-century Great Britain by traders importing Spanish sherry.
8. Martini glass
With its inverse, rounded pyramid shape, the martini glass is unmistakable, and a must for traditional, bone-dry, dirty, and Vesper martinis (as well as cosmopolitans). Its wide bottom keeps martinis — drinks always filled to the lip — stable on the table, while its wide mouth aids aromatics and helps toothpicked garnishes stay put. Angled sides prevent ingredients from separating, and a lengthy stem keeps warm hands away. A true work of art, the vessel first appeared at Paris’ 1925 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts.
9. Margarita glass
The margarita glass, a cousin of the classic coupe, boasts a distinctive wide rim and shallow bowl, “allowing the drinker to experience the aromas of the drink while also getting a taste of the sugar or salt the glass is rimmed with prior to pouring,” Goethe says. The wide rim also makes for easy showcasing of garnishes like lime wedges and citrus twists, while the hefty bowl accommodates plenty of ice, great for slow drinking of heavy pours. This mysteriously named glass also suits frozen or blended daiquiris and piña coladas perfectly.
10. Nick & Nora glass
The Nick & Nora glass, named after characters from the 1930s and ’40s film series “The Thin Man,” is a sophisticated hybrid of the martini and coupe glasses — a rounder, slightly smaller vessel designed for spirit-forward cocktails that are typically enjoyed with slow slips. Its balanced shape and size make it well suited for drinks like the sidecar or sparkling wine, as well as cocktails such as the Manhattan or Vesper, where a refined look is preferred and temperature regulation is key.
11. Shot glass
Typically holding 1 to 2 ounces of alcohol, a shot glass delivers a quick, concentrated hit of high-proof drink, with minimal spillage. Also handy as a measuring tool for cocktails, the thick construction of a shot glass withstands the impact of being slammed back down or dropped after its potent contents are consumed. Its genesis dates to the 18th century, and one flimsy (but intriguing) theory has its name originating in the Wild West, in relation to actual artillery.
12. Irish coffee mug
The Irish coffee mug — with its heat-resistant glass, extended handle, and sturdy base — is not only a flavor-boosting must for its titular beverage but essential for safe consumption of any hot bar beverage, such as the hot toddy or mulled wine. Also ideal for body-warming, comfort cocktails like hot buttered rum or spiked cider, these glasses are especially useful during colder months and at fireside gatherings.
