Types of Cocktail Glasses

Cocktail Glasses

There are a few basic styles of cocktail glasses that every bartender should have stacked under the counter. Margaritas and Daiquiris are two popular drinks which are served in cocktail glasses, which is a synonymous term for margarita glasses and daiquiri glasses. These familiar glasses typically hold about 8.5 ounces of liquor and are easily recognized by their fishbowl-type cup, thin stem and tapered base.

Martini glasses and shot glasses are a must for any well-equipped bar. The former are sophisticated and delicate while the latter can be either slender or stocky and are designed to hold one to two ounces of hard liquor.

Drinking and Sipping Glasses

This category of cocktail glasses includes highball glasses which hold 12 to 14 ounces of liquor, lowball glasses which hold 9 to 11 ounces of liquor and brandy snifters which have wide-based cups with short, thick stems and sturdy bases.

Highball glasses are great for serving bloody mary drinks and long island iced teas while lowball glasses are best for mixed drinks with more mix than liquor in them, or for whiskey and rum-based drinks such as a jack and coke or rum and coke.

Brandy snifters are elegant, wide-rimmed glasses reserved for high quality brandy and cognac. Pour the brandy to to the widest part of the glass before serving.

Collins and Rocks Glasses

While they might sound like the name for a classic rock band, collins glasses and rocks glasses are similar to highball glasses and lowball glasses, respectively. If Tom Collins was a rocker, then he'd have been playing in the late 1800s when a recipe for the drink first appeared. Spirits over ice are best served in rocks glasses.

By stocking your bar with these common types of cocktail glasses you will leave your guests with a satisfying experience and establish yourself as a respectable bartender.