When talking about cocktails, attention often focuses on ingredients, proportions, or preparation techniques. In reality, there is one element that has a huge impact on the final experience and is still often underestimated: the glass. Shape, capacity, and even the thickness of the glass influence temperature, aromas, flavor perception, and presentation. Using the right glass is not a matter of snobbery, but a balance between aesthetics and functionality.
In this article, we clarify the main types of cocktail glasses, explaining what they are called, when to use them, and why they were designed the way they are. This guide is useful both for those who enjoy making drinks at home and for anyone who simply wants to better understand what they are drinking when they order at a bar.
What Are the Glasses Used for Cocktails?
Cocktail glasses are not designed by chance. Each model is the result of very specific practical needs: keeping the drink cold, encouraging proper aeration, preventing ice from melting too quickly, or enhancing delicate aromas. For this reason, the world of mixology uses different glasses depending on the cocktail family, the amount of ice, and the type of service.
Generally speaking, cocktail glasses can be divided into a few main categories: low glasses, tall glasses, wine glasses, and coupe glasses. Added to these are more distinctive shapes that have become iconic thanks to specific cocktails. Understanding these differences helps explain why a Negroni should not be served in the same glass as a Mojito, and why a Martini loses its meaning if presented in a tumbler.
How Many Types of Cocktail Glasses Are There?
There is no “official” number of cocktail glass types, but in professional practice about a dozen main styles are commonly used. The most common include the low tumbler, high tumbler, Martini coupe, balloon glass, wine glass, Hurricane glass, Margarita glass, and flute. Each one meets different needs related to volume, temperature, and aroma development.
Over time, some shapes have evolved and adapted to new mixology trends, such as Gin and Tonic served in a balloon glass or classic cocktails reinterpreted with alternative glassware. However, the fundamentals remain the same, and knowing the correct names is the first step toward using them consciously.
What Are Tall Cocktail Glasses Called?
Tall cocktail glasses are commonly known as highball glasses or high tumblers. These are tall, cylindrical glasses with a capacity that generally ranges between 300 and 400 ml. They are designed for long drinks—cocktails with plenty of ice and a predominant non-alcoholic component, such as soda, tonic water, or juice.
The main advantage of the highball glass is its versatility. It keeps the drink cold for longer, allows for proper dilution, and leaves room for garnishes. It is the ideal glass for refreshing, thirst-quenching cocktails meant to be sipped slowly, especially during warmer seasons.
What Is the Glass Used for a Negroni?
The Negroni is traditionally served in a low tumbler, also known as an old fashioned glass or rocks glass. It is a short, wide glass with a thick base, designed to hold a small number of ingredients and one or more large ice cubes.
The shape of the low tumbler is perfect for cocktails like the Negroni because it keeps the drink cold without excessive dilution and allows you to fully appreciate the intense aromas of gin, vermouth, and bitter. In addition, the thick base helps retain temperature and provides a solid feel in the hand, highly appreciated in classic cocktails.
What Is the Glass Used for a Martini Called?
The Martini glass is the famous Martini coupe, also simply known as a Martini glass. It features an iconic inverted cone shape, with a long stem and a narrow base. This structure is not purely aesthetic: it prevents the warmth of the hand from heating the cocktail, which is served without ice.
The wide bowl allows the aromas to be immediately perceived, while the sloped shape makes sipping easier. It is the ideal glass for short, elegant, high-alcohol cocktails, such as the Dry Martini, Manhattan, or Cosmopolitan. Using it for other types of drinks would completely alter the experience.
Which Glass Is Used for a Gin and Tonic?
Today, the Gin and Tonic is almost always served in a balloon glass, a large, rounded stemmed glass similar to a red wine glass. This choice is not accidental and represents a true evolution compared to the past, when the Gin and Tonic was typically served in a high tumbler.
The balloon allows for a large amount of ice, keeping the drink colder for longer, while also enhancing the aromas of the gin and its botanicals thanks to the wide surface area. It also leaves room for aromatic garnishes, which play a key role in the balance of the cocktail. Alternatively, especially in more traditional settings, a high tumbler can still be used, but the balloon remains the most popular choice.
Which Glasses Are Used for Spritz?
The Spritz is generally served in a wine glass, often medium to large in size. This choice is not just about fashion, but meets the need to hold ice, prosecco, aperitif, and soda while maintaining the right balance.
The wine glass allows for good aeration and enhances the prosecco’s bubbles, while the slightly tapered shape helps concentrate citrus aromas. In some cases, a balloon glass is also used, especially for more modern or reinterpreted versions of the Spritz, but the wine glass remains the most representative option.
What Is the Margarita Glass Called?
The Margarita glass is instantly recognizable thanks to its distinctive shape: a wide bowl with a double curve and a broad rim. This structure is designed to hold the characteristic salted rim and to enhance cocktails served without ice or with crushed ice.
The shape of the Margarita glass highlights the contrast between acidity, sweetness, and saltiness—key elements of this cocktail. In addition, the wide bowl allows the aromas of tequila and lime to be fully perceived. While it can be used for other drinks, it remains strongly associated with the Margarita by tradition.
What Is the Sommelier’s Glass Called?
The sommelier’s glass is the wine glass, designed to enhance the organoleptic characteristics of different types of wine. Although it was not created for mixology, it is increasingly used for wine-based cocktails or drinks that require good aeration.
The shape of the glass is designed to channel aromas toward the nose and allow for more mindful tasting. In the cocktail world, it is often used for Spritz, Americano, or low-alcohol drinks, where the aromatic component is just as important as the flavor.
Which Glass Is Used to Serve a Mojito?
The Mojito is traditionally served in a high tumbler, the same glass used for many long drinks. This glass is ideal for holding ice, lime, mint, rum, sugar, and soda without compromising the balance of the cocktail.
Its tall shape allows for proper mixing of the ingredients and keeps the drink fresh and refreshing. It also leaves room for mint and garnishes, which are essential not only for flavor but also for visual appeal. Serving a Mojito in a different glass would risk altering its structure and drinkability.
Understanding which glasses to use does not mean making things more complicated, but significantly improving the overall cocktail experience. Even at home, choosing the right glass can make the difference between a correct drink and a truly memorable one.
