Food Shopping and Storing Beverages 10 Types of Glassware Every Aspiring Home Bartender Should Know Consider this your ultimate guide to using the right type of bar glassware. By Amy Zavatto Amy Zavatto Amy Zavatto is a New York City–based wine, spirits, and food journalist, restaurant consultant, menu developer, and book publisher. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines and Amanda Lauren Updated on September 17, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Getty Images You don't have to be a professional bartender to serve a drink that will impress your guests. In fact, knowing which glass pairs with what cocktail can significantly upgrade your at-home cocktail game, even if your ingredients are pretty standard. Learn more about several types of cocktail glasses and wine glasses (either visually or by reading our short descriptions). With this bartender-friendly guide and our tips, you'll have a well-stocked bar cart and impressive glassware collection in no time. 01 of 10 Cocktail Glass (or Martini Glass) Yeji Kim Best for aromatic mixed, strained drinks served "up" (without ice). Use for martinis, Cosmopolitans, and other ice-less mixed drinks. 02 of 10 Coupe Glass Yeji Kim A coupe glass has a shape similar to the martini glass but is used for frothier beverages such as a Gin Fizz. 03 of 10 Collins/Highball Glass Yeji Kim A highball is used for tall mixed drinks like Mojitos or Gin and Tonics. Highball glasses generally hold 10 to 12 ounces of liquid. A collins glass is a little larger, holding 12 to 14 ounces. However, both glasses can be used interchangeably. They're also great all-purpose drinking glasses. 04 of 10 Delmonico Yeji Kim The Delmonico is a smaller version of the collins glass with a slight flare at the top. It's ideal for drinks like amaretto sours. 05 of 10 Flute Yeji Kim Despite some attempts to push it out of popularity, the flute still reigns as the ultimate sparkling wine glass (and cocktail glass for champagne cocktails). It's also good for drinks like the French 75 or a Bellini. 06 of 10 Nick and Nora Glass Yeji Kim Nick and Nora glasses are a combination of a martini and a Coupe glass. The name comes from the fictional characters Nick and Nora Charles of The Thin Man movies. 07 of 10 Rocks Glass Yeji Kim A rocks glass, sometimes called an old fashioned, is designed for drinks made in the glass, like a Negroni or the namesake old fashioned. This type of glass is also ideal for straight liquors on the rocks or for serving a whiskey neat (no ice). 08 of 10 Snifter Yeji Kim Snifters are best for brandies (Armagnac, Cognac, etc.) or other heady after-dinner spirits, like aged rum. 09 of 10 White Wine Glass Yeji Kim This glass is a little taller and more narrow than a red wine glass. It's perfectly OK to serve sparkling wine in this glass, too. 10 of 10 Red Wine Glass Yeji Kim Red wine glasses are usually larger than white wine glasses. They also have a bowl-like shape, which allows for aeration and smoothing of the tannins. The size makes these glasses an excellent pick for sangrias, too. Yeji Kim Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit