Best cocktail glasses for parties & bar carts
Cocktails are all the rage when it comes to beverages at home. You’ll need some perfect cocktail glasses for your next party, then.
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The last couple of years brought many things, but a penchant for well-made cocktails done at home, not in a bar, was not one we expected. Now, many of us have well-stocked bar carts and a taste for the perfect martini - but do we have the right cocktail glasses to truly indulge in our evening beverage of choice?
Yes, there are specific cocktail glasses designed for specific drinks - but you can also get away with a few key styles that work across several tipples.
WHY ARE COCKTAIL GLASSES DIFFERENT SHAPES?
While cocktail glasses have been said to come in different shapes and sizes to supposedly enhance the taste and aesthetic of different drinks, most bartenders will tell you it’s actually just about history and tradition when it comes to which cocktail glass suits which beverage. Still, a collection of cocktail glasses will definitely enhance the aesthetic of both your bar cart, and your evening sip.
Below, find the cocktail glasses that will elevate your home cocktail experience.
HIGHBALL GLASSES
Highball glasses are great, versatile cocktail glasses to have on hand. In a pinch, you can create a delicious fizz for guests that will look elegant and refined, thanks to your glassware. Collins glasses are a similar shape, but a little bigger in size. Unless you’re a purist, you could easily go for either.
What they are used for: Vodka soda, gin and tonic, fizzes, Tom Collins.
BEST HIGHBALL GLASSES
Salt&Pepper Ottica Highball Tumbler Set of six, Myer, on sale $20
Elegant yet highly affordable, these highball glasses are great for summer cocktails where you want room to add plenty of ice and fun garnishes like in this classic Pimm’s cocktail recipe. Highball glasses are best for tall cocktails where you are adding mixers such as soda water or tonic or topping up with sparkiling wine. But are versatile enough to use as water glasses for a fancy dinner party. They also make a great housewarming gift.
Krosno Splendour 6-Piece Highball Set, Myer, on sale $35.97 (down from $49.95)
Krosno make beautiful glassware that will look stunning on any table, or in any hand. These elegant highball glasses feature a tapered rise and stylish base.
Country Road Vivi Highball Glass, THE ICONIC, $19.95
Coloured glasses look wonderfully retro on a bar cart, and we love the ridged design of this glassware from Country Road, coupled with its stylish emerald green hue.
Alex Liddy Vina 4-Piece Highball Set, House, on sale $39.99 (down from $74.99)
Another versatile highball option that will be on high rotation throughout the day being used for everything from juice at breakfast to a gin and tonic in the evening or your favourite non-alcholic drink. They do need to be hand washed, which is worth considering if you like to throw everything in the dishwasher.
COUPE GLASSES
Coupe glasses have likely been on your list for quite some time - a beautiful way to drink cocktails, these are also stunning as champagne glasses.
What they are used for: champagne, martinis, frose, sours, margaritas, chilled cocktails that do not sit on ice.
BEST COUPE GLASSES
Krosno Harmony 6-Piece Coupe Glass Set, Amazon, $39.95
You may think that coupe glasses can be used only for serving champagne and sparkling wine, but they are incredibly versatile glasses. Not only can you enjoy a glass of bubbles in a coupe glass, you can also create wonderfully elegant cocktails like expresso martinis. Or they can also be used for serving desserts, turning even a humble scope of ice cream into a fancy finish to a meal. This lovely modern style coupe glass from Krosno looks good and despite its delicate appearance is dishwasher safe.
Luigi Bormioli Jazz 4-Piece Coupe Glass Set, Myer, on sale $59.95 (down from $99.95)
On a more vintage-style note, these textured coupe glasses feel a little bit 1950s, making them perfect for your next cocktail party. The stems have a special treatment to make them stronger and less likely to get broken during daily use and are dishwasher safe.
Cactus Coupe Set Of 4, Mr. Consistent, $90
If your style is a little more quirky and retro, these cute cactus glasses will make for a great talking point in your home. They’re especially on-brand for margarita hour.
CHAMPAGNE GLASSES
Yes, you can use these for champagne - but they are also fantastic to have on hand for easy cocktails that simply blend sparkling wine with a syrup or nectar.
What they are used for: mimosas, French 75s, bellinis, champagne & sparkling wine.
BEST CHAMPAGNE GLASSES
Luigi Bormioli Jazz Flute 4-Pack, Myer, on sale $53.97, down from $89.95
Another stylish modern option, these Luigi Bormioli flute glasses look and feel more expensive than they are.
SINGLE ROCKS & DOUBLE ROCKS GLASSES
The single rocks cocktail glass and double rocks glasses are what you envision when you think of cocktail glasses. Elegant, short and often containing dark spirits, these will make you feel like a movie star from the Golden Age of Hollywood.
What they are used for: scotch on the rocks, vodka on the rocks and other spirits poured over ice, Negronis, Old Fashioneds.
BEST SINGLE & DOUBLE ROCKS GLASSES
Luigi Bormioli Elixir 5-Piece Whiskey Set, Myer, $119.95
If you are looking to gift a whiskey-lover in your life, this set is perfect. Featuring four stylish single rocks glasses and a whiskey decanting bottle, it’s the perfect bar cart addition.
Krosno Avant Garde Tumbler Set of 6, Myer, $49.95
A modern take on the single rocks glass, these tumblers are perfect for stylish cocktails, but be warned - the narrower top means some of the large ice cube options won’t fit.
MARTINI GLASS
While coupe glasses can easily accommodate martinis, if you’re a purist you may prefer the classic, v-shaped martini glass. We have to admit, some classic cocktails just look better in these.
What they are used for: Martinis, espresso martinis, Cosmopolitans.
BEST MARTINI GLASSES
Krosno Avant-Garde Martini Glasses, set of 6, Myer, $59.95
These classic martini glasses look amazing with clear spirits, with the thick flute reflecting light beautifully.
Cellar Tonic Martini Glass Set of 4, House, on sale $39.99, down from $79.99
The very subtle curved detail at the stem of these glasses gives them a little bit of a retro feel.
More Coverage
Looking for more advice and information on buying new glasses for your home? Check out list of best wine glasses for any occassion.
Want more great homewares buys? Perfect your kitchen storage with these great containers, and keep cool in the summer months with a cooling blanket.
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