A guide to cocktail glassware

Whether you're stocking a simple bar cart or a full-fledged home bar, having the right glasses for your drinks plays a big part. While there are over two dozen variations, each suited for a specific drink, here are five solid choices for your cocktails that can make the results a mixologists dream. These basic wonders can work for most drinks and add that extra touch of elegance and sophistication to any cocktail. 

Rocks/ Old -fashioned glass:

A staple for any home bar, these are used for serving drinks neat or on the rocks and spirit-forward cocktails like old-fashioned. They come in two varieties- single and double. Both are short and sturdy, with the double being slightly larger. 

Highball/Collins glass:

 Tall, narrow glasses usually used for build up drinks, they work great for summer drinks and drinks that pack more mixer than spirit. They can be used for mixed drinks like Tom Collins and Whiskey Ginger. The Collins glass is slightly taller and narrower than the highball glass. 

Martini/ Coupe Glass: 

Martini glasses were invented as an alternative to Coupe Glasses in the 1900s and have been a cocktail staple since then for mixed drinks like Martinis and Manhattans. However, the Coupes are seeing a revival these days thanks to the interest in craft cocktails like Sidecar and Aviation once again. These wide-bowled stemmed glasses can also be used interchangeably with Champagne saucers making it a versatile option. 

Margarita glass:

 Primarily designed for Margaritas, the wide rim makes these stemmed glasses better for a sugar or salt rim garnish. The beautiful double bowl shape works well for frozen Margaritas. Available in varying sizes, these can add a festive touch to your drinks. 

Copa de Balon: 

This stemmed bulbous glass dates back to the 1700s in the Basque region of Spain as the perfect Gin and Tonic glass. Designed to trap the aromas of the gin while also allowing plenty of room for ice and lime, these balloon shaped glasses melt the ice slower resulting in less dilution. They also keep the drinks cooler for longer. They became more popular as Michelin-star chefs from the Basque area started drinking their ‘Gin Tonics’ in Bordeaux wine glasses to keep their drinks cool in the heat of their kitchens. 

While these are the basic types, you have endless more varieties to upgrade with. But consider your budget and shelving space before picking up more styles. Also, make sure the glasses you pick match the drinks you most often serve and drink.