There's a Glass for That — Trade Eights Cocktails

Ever wonder why certain cocktails are always served in a specific type of glass? It’s no accident. The characteristics of the glass can enhance how the drink is experienced – from how it smells and tastes to how long it stays cold. Here’s a quick guide to the glassware most often used for some classic cocktails.

Cocktail Glass

This iconic glass is probably most associated with cocktails. With its conical cup and thin stem, this glassware is traditionally used for serving shaken or stirred cocktails (with no ice) like Martinis and Manhattans. The large mouth of the glass allows drinkers to easily take in the aromas of the cocktail, while the stem lifts the bowl of the glass away from the hand to keep the drink cool. The terms cocktail glass and martini glass are often used interchangeably.

Coupe Glass

With its broad, shallow bowl and thin stem, the coupe has seen a come-back in recent years due to the craft cocktail movement. However, it’s history dates back to the 17th century when it was originally designed to enjoy sparkling wine. This was before people discovered that champagne flutes, with their narrower shape, were better suited for the bubbly drink. The still classy coupe is a popular alternative to the standard cocktail glass for shaken or stirred cocktails.

Old-Fashioned Glass

This short, stocky, straight-sided glass is named after the Old-Fashioned cocktail. The traditional old-fashioned glass holds 6 to 8oz, whereas a double can hold 12 to 14oz. Its heavy bottom makes it a great choice for cocktails that require muddling, while it’s short stature makes it ideal for smaller, higher proof pours. The old-fashioned glass is most often used for built drinks or drinks that are not shaken, but made in the same glass they are served. It’s also great for pours of individual liquors like whiskey, as the wide brim helps one appreciate the complex aromas. Other names for this type of glass are Whiskey Glass, Rocks Glass and Tumbler.

Highball Glass

This no-nonsense glass is tall, slim and straight sided. It comes in an 8 to 10oz size and a larger version that holds 12 to 14oz. As its name suggests, it’s most often used for highball cocktails or drinks with a high proportion of a non-alcoholic mixer. This includes cold, refreshing drinks like the Gin and Tonic, Mojito and Moscow Mule that don’t require shaking and are served with lots of ice. The tall and narrow shape of the glass also keeps fizzy cocktails bubbly for longer as it limits the surface area of the drink exposed to the air. The highball glass is similar to the Collins glass, with the highball being shorter and wider.

Shot Glass

These sturdy little glasses usually hold a "shot" or 1.5 oz of liquid. There are also taller versions holding 2 to 4 oz. Often used as a jigger for measuring, it’s often the glass for drinking anything that’s best downed in one gulp.

Although there’s lots of options for glassware, when you’re at home, just looking to kick back and relax with a drink (ahem, like one of our bottled cocktails), there shouldn’t be any rules. It should be about choosing what you like. All that matters is that you’re enjoying your cocktail. Cheers!