The highball glass is a tall tumbler used to serve basic mixed drinks, as well as specialty cocktails.
Its tall design is ideal for drinks with a high volume of ice and mixers.
Drinks served in a highball are typically built right into the glass. Although the collins and the highball glass look similar, the highball is shorter and less narrow.
What to serve in a highball glass:
Palomas, Mojitos, Americanos, and spirit + mixer cocktails.
The collins is the taller, narrower cousin of the highball, and these two glasses are often used interchangeably. Its name is derived from the "Collins" family of cocktails.
What to serve in a collins glass:
The Tom Collins of course! Aside from cocktails in the Collins family, you can serve any cocktail with a high ratio of ice and mixer in this glass.
A rocks glass is a short tumbler with a thick base, used primarily for serving spirits or spirit forward cocktails.
It's referred to as a "rocks" glass, because drinks in this glass are typically served over ice. As you can guess, an Old Fashioned is served in this glass, but rocks glasses are pretty versatile—you can use these to serve neat pours, juice, and other NA beverages.
What to serve in a rocks glass:
A Sazerac, Negroni, or a Margarita on the rocks. Also great for whiskey on the rocks, or neat pours of scotch.
This little glass is great for serving your signature cocktails. This glass is sturdier and easier to handle than a coupe; while it may not be as elegant, you still have the added benefit of a short stem to keep the cocktails chilled.
This glass should be reserved for cocktails without ice.
What to serve in a footed rocks glass:
A Whiskey Sour or a Manhattan can be served in this glass if your guest requests it up.
The coupe is the perfect vessel for any craft cocktail. This attractive glass has a delicate stem and a wide bowl, perfect for sipping frothy cocktails.
Much like a footed rocks glass, this glass is used for up cocktails that are shaken or stirred. The long stem prevents the glass from heating up, and keeps the cocktail perfectly chilled.
What to serve in a coupe:
A Manhattan, Gimlet, or an Aviation. Using this glass will instantly elevate any drink, so feel free to use this for any of your up cocktails.
As you can surmise, this glass is generally reserved for your classic Martini. Much like a coupe, the martini glass has a delicate stem that keeps the warmth of your hands from compromising the cocktail.
This glass is easy to spot, as it has a distinct cone shape and a long, delicate stem. The cone shape makes this glass easy to spill, so if you prefer, you can always opt for a coupe. Cocktails in this glass are served up without ice.
What to serve in martini:
Martinis, Cosmopolitans, and Sidecars.
Along with the martini glass, this glass is probably one of the most recognizable pieces of barware. However, you typically won't serve many other cocktails in this glass besides a Margarita.
It has a long stem, a very wide saucer, and a slightly smaller bowl in the bottom. If you prefer not to use this glass, you can certainly get away with using a coupe.
What to serve in a margarita glass:
Margaritas, Piña Coladas, or specialty frozen drinks.
This glass isn't used for cocktails, but for neat pours of spirits like whiskey or brandy.
While you can certainly use a rocks glass for a neat pour, an aged bourbon might benefit from a snifter. Much like a wine glass, the snifter's wide bowl and narrow opening allows for the user to swirl the glass, and release the aromas of the spirit.
The wide bottom also allows drinkers to cup the glass with their hands, and warm the content with their hands (which, unlike wine, is actually ideal for the spirit).
What to serve in a snifter glass:
Bourbon, brandy, or any aged spirit that will benefit from being swirled in a glass.
This delicate little glass is used for small servings of cordials and liqueurs. You'll mostly see it at upscale restaurants and bars, and it's great for an after dinner nightcap.
This glass would also be great for serving tastings of high end liquors.
What to serve in a cordial glass:
Liqueurs, cognac, small tastings.
