The 10 Best Cocktail Glasses in 2023

Best Overall

Schott Zwiesel Pure Double Old-Fashioned Glasses, Set of 6

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With so many different cocktail categories, each of them seeming to require a distinct style of glassware (coupes for sours, collins glasses for highballs, hurricane glasses for tiki drinks, etc.), where is the home bartender supposed to begin? Leave it to the craftsmen at the German glassware firm Schott Zwiesel, who have been producing fine drinking vessels since 1872, to come up with a cocktail glass that everyone can agree on. Their double old-fashioned glass is attractive, versatile, durable—and affordable.

Made from lead-free crystal utilizing a process that renders it break-, chip- and scratch-resistant, the Schott Zwiesel double old-fashioned is dishwasher-safe, and feels equally at home holding a Negroni on a big rock as a Gin-and-Tonic garnished with pretty homegrown botanicals. The next time you're planning a cocktail party, go ahead and cast a wide net when it comes to the drinks on offer; these handsome and versatile glasses are ready to beautifully highlight whatever you come up with.

Price at time of publish: $60 for set

Capacity: 13.2 ounces | Material: Crystal | Best for: Stirred drinks, Rocks drinks, Neat pours

Best Highball

LSA Borough Highball Glasses, Set of 4

4.8

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The highball is a simple cocktail, calling for just spirits and soda. This glass is equally understated with crisp, simple lines, a slightly curved bottom, and a generous capacity. The 14.2-ounce glass can hold a whiskey soda, rum and Coke, or Dale DeGroff’s agave-forward añejo highball.

Made with lead-free crystalline, the glass is classy and surprisingly durable (not to mention dishwasher safe). The brilliance and clarity lets your cocktail shine. These glasses are designed in London, made in Slovakia, and come in a set of four.

Price at time of publish: $58 for set

Capacity: 14 ounces | Material: Glass | Best for: Gin and tonics, rum and Cokes

Best Coupe

Richard Brendon Classic Cocktail Collection Coupe Glass

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The coupe's unmistakable shape is a timeless beverage motif, impossible to divorce from images of flapper parties and Prohibition-era opulence. While the vessel has largely fallen out of fashion as a Champagne glass (the wider surface area dissipates the bouquet and allows the bubbles to escape more quickly), it's a mixology mainstay and an indispensable component of any well-stocked bar, professional or private. And this handsome coupe from Richard Brendon's Classic Cocktail Collection is about as perfect an interpretation of the design as we've encountered.

Nearly six inches tall, this elegant coupe is a natural conversation starter, whether empty or full. Made from hand-blown, lead-free crystal, and dishwasher-safe on the top rack, the glass boasts a 5.5 oz. capacity—so while your standard 3 oz. Martini might get a little lost, your frothy Whiskey Sour or Espresso Martini will look right at home. Grace this gorgeous coupe with an old-school Champagne cocktail like a French 75, or take an equal-parts cocktail like a Paper Plane and bump all four ingredients up to 1.25 oz. each—we won't tell.

Price at time of publish: $120 for set

Capacity: 5.5 ounces | Material: Lead-free Crystal | Best for: Shaken drinks (e.g. Paper Planes, Cosmopolitans), Stirred drinks (e,g, Manhattans, Vespers), Champagne cocktails, Sours

Best Martini Glass

Riedel Nick and Nora Cocktail Glasses

4.8

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This is a far cry from the angular martini glasses you may be used to, but the shape actually nods to the classic 1934 flick, "The Thin Man," in which crime-fighting couple Nick and Nora Charles solve capers while downing a generous amount of martinis. 

Today’s Nick and Nora glasses boast a signature curved silhouette and slim form. Bartenders love them because liquid is less likely to slosh around while sipping and carrying thanks to the angular shape. These chic glasses showcase the flavors of a martini and any other spirit-forward drink, like a tuxedo or Manhattan. 

Riedel’s take is made in collaboration with spirits expert Zane Harris, who spent years researching how to make the perfect cocktail glasses for every single style of drink. Harris considers everything, down to the way the liquid hits your palette. This glass is machine-made to make it a cost-effective way to serve a crowd, but note the vintage lean; There’s delicate etchings and a gold rim that give a nostalgic flair. 

Price at time of publish: $40

Capacity: 4 ounces | Material: Glass | Best for: Martinis, Daiquiris, Cordials

Best Margarita Glass

Libbey Blue Ribbon Margarita Glass

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This festive margarita glass channels the tropical drink’s vacation energy with shimmering blue ribbons and a generous capacity. The glass has a rounded bowl at the top to let the glass rest easily in your hand and a long stem to hold extra cocktail. The total capacity is just over 10 ounces per glass, and this set comes with six.

The large rim is perfect for adding salt or sugar. You could even try adding a dash of Tajin if you're feeling a little spicy. Each glass is carefully made by artisans, so each blue streak will be slightly different. In terms of cleanup, they're dishwasher safe. 

Price at time of publish: $40 for set of 6

Capacity: 10.25 ounces | Material: Glass | Best for: Margaritas, Spicy margaritas, Tiki drinks

Best Whiskey Glass

Riedel Tumbler Collection Spey Whisky, Set of 2

4.8

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Riedel has had over 300 years to perfect the craftsmanship of its crystal, and its Spey Whisky Tumblers combine affordability, quality, and style into one excellent whiskey glass. The name is a nod to Scotland’s River Spey, an area that is renowned for producing exceptional whiskies in the Speyside region. In homage to the river, the glass features a chic design of diamond- and wedge-cut glass in the style of Art Nouveau.

Even when you’re not sipping from them, this set of two glasses will act as a showpiece on your bar cart or in your den, kitchen, or dining room. They're weighted at the bottom, guaranteeing a sturdy, measured sip every time. 

Price at time of publish: $40 for set

Capacity: 10 ounces | Material: Glass | Best for: Whiskey, Aged rum, Aged Tequila

Best Shot Glass

Sempli Monti Shot Glasses Set

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Normally the terms "elegant" and "shot glass" don't go together, but this will make you rethink that. This set of two is handblown from lead-free crystal by designer Daniele Semeraro. There’s a super-thin rim for sipping spirits, though you can also rim the glass with salt for doing shots of tequila or mezcal. Try making mini margaritas for a group of friends in this glass or even baby Negronis. 

Note the nod to the towering, snow-capped mountains of the Alps: Semeraro has an Italian-Swedish background, and these 3-ounce glasses were inspired by his time in the mountains. Thanks to the angular punt at the bottom, you can incorporate some movement in order to draw aroma from whatever you’re sipping—perfect for brandy or aged whisky.

Capacity: 2 ounces | Material: Glass | Best for: Shots, Shooters

Best Champagne Glasses

Zalto Denk'Art Champagne Glass

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Champagne goes far beyond toasts: It’s a historic, incredibly dignified wine that deserves a proper glass. This Zalto glass is the gold standard, ideal for showcasing the nuanced flavors of young and old bottles. It allows the wine to express its personality and exhibit minerality, bubbles, and flavor profiles. 

This glass is pricey, but keep in mind sommeliers consider Zalto the top tier of wine glasses, designed for peak performance. As soon as you pick up the glass, you can feel the quality in the weight. It's light as air, and the lips are whisper-thin. It's crafted to reflect the angles of the earth and let the bubbles directly hit your palate. Each glass holds 7.4 ounces of your favorite sparkling wine.

Price at time of publish: $75 per glass

Capacity: 13 ounces | Material: Crystal | Best for: Champagne cocktails (e.g. Mimosas, French 75s), Sparkling wine

Best Stemless Wine Glass

Riedel O Wine Tumbler Cabernet/Merlot

5

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In certain situations, say, by a pool or around klutzy hands, a stemless wine glass is an excellent idea. This one is relatively universal—not too round or narrow. Riedel achieves this one-size-fits-all shape with its cabernet/merlot-style wine glass. Wine aside, this is a wonderful glass for Spanish-style spritzes and other effervescent cocktails, such as a French 75, aperitif, sangria, or sherry and tonic. 

Measuring 4.75 inches tall, this oval-shaped glass can hold a little more than 21 ounces. It's the ideal environment for any wine from delicate sparkling rosé to full-bodied red wine, while not being too oversized for smaller hands.

Though this glass is machine-made, it has the weight and clarity of handblown crystal. It's sturdier than the brand's stemmed versions, too, making it great for everyday use. Plus, it's dishwasher safe.

Price at time of publish: $35 for set

Capacity: 21 ounce | Material: Machine blown glass | Best for: Wine, Sangria, Spritzes