The Ultimate Cocktail Glasses Buyer's Guide

Whether you're stocking a home bar, outfitting a restaurant, or shopping for a gift, choosing the right cocktail glass makes a real difference — to presentation, aroma, and the drinking experience. This guide covers every major cocktail glass type, what drinks they're designed for, and what to look for when buying.

Why the Right Glass Matters

The shape of a glass isn't just aesthetic. It affects how aromas concentrate, how ice melts, how garnishes sit, and how the drink feels in your hand. Premium polycarbonate cocktail glasses deliver all the elegance of crystal glassware with the durability to survive poolside, outdoor events, and busy hospitality environments without shattering.

Types of Cocktail Glasses: A Complete Guide

1. Balloon Glass

Large, round bowl with a wide opening. Ideal for gin and tonics — the wide bowl allows ice and botanicals to be added generously, while the shape concentrates the gin's aromatics. Also used for wine-based cocktails and sangria.

Best for: Gin & Tonic, Aperol Spritz, Sangria

2. Caprioska / Mojito Glass

A tall, straight-sided glass similar to a highball but often slightly wider. Designed to hold muddled ingredients, crushed ice, and plenty of soda. The extra width makes it easy to muddle mint and lime directly in the glass.

Best for: Mojito, Caprioska, Caipirinha, Smash cocktails

3. Coupe Glass

The coupe's shallow, broad bowl is one of the most elegant cocktail glass shapes. Originally designed for Champagne, it's now the go-to for classic "up" cocktails served without ice. The wide rim makes it perfect for sugar or salt rims.

Best for: Daiquiri, Sidecar, Gimlet, Champagne cocktails, Cosmopolitan

4. Goblet

A large, stemmed glass with a wide bowl — similar to a wine glass but heavier and more robust. Goblets are versatile and work well for beer cocktails, sangria, and large-format drinks with plenty of ice and garnish.

Best for: Beer cocktails, Sangria, Pimm's Cup, large tropical drinks

5. Highball Glass

Tall and straight-sided, the highball is one of the most common cocktail glasses. It's designed for drinks with a high ratio of mixer to spirit, served over ice. The tall shape keeps carbonated mixers from going flat too quickly.

Best for: Whisky & Soda, Gin & Tonic, Tom Collins, Paloma, Dark & Stormy

6. Hurricane Glass

Named after its hurricane-lamp silhouette, this tall, curved glass is a staple of tropical and tiki bars. The wide bowl at the top and narrow base give it a dramatic look, perfect for layered and garnish-heavy cocktails.

Best for: Hurricane, Piña Colada, Singapore Sling, Blue Lagoon

7. Margarita Glass

The classic margarita glass has a wide, stepped rim — perfect for a salt or sugar crust — and a broad bowl that showcases frozen or on-the-rocks margaritas. The distinctive shape is instantly recognisable and adds theatre to service.

Best for: Margarita (frozen or on the rocks), Daiquiri, Slushy cocktails

8. Martini Glass

The iconic inverted-cone bowl on a long stem is synonymous with sophistication. The wide, open bowl keeps the olive or twist garnish visible and allows the drinker to appreciate the cocktail's clarity and colour. Served without ice — the stem keeps hands from warming the drink.

Best for: Martini, Manhattan, Cosmopolitan, Espresso Martini

9. Milkshake / Smoothie Glass

Tall, wide, and designed for thick, blended drinks. These glasses typically have a slightly flared top to accommodate whipped cream, straws, and elaborate garnishes. Great for dessert cocktails and non-alcoholic blended drinks.

Best for: Milkshake cocktails, Frozen Mudslide, Boozy Smoothies, Freakshakes

10. Nick and Nora Glass

A refined, tulip-shaped glass that sits between a coupe and a martini glass. The narrower bowl concentrates aromas better than a coupe, making it a favourite among bartenders for spirit-forward cocktails. Elegant and understated.

Best for: Martini, Negroni, Manhattan, Last Word, classic stirred cocktails

11. Old Fashioned Glass (Rocks Glass / Lowball)

Short, wide, and sturdy — the Old Fashioned glass is built for drinks served over a large ice cube or rocks. The wide mouth allows for easy muddling and makes it simple to add a large ice sphere or block. A bar essential.

Best for: Old Fashioned, Negroni, Whisky on the Rocks, Sazerac, Boulevardier

12. Shot Glass

Small and straight-sided, shot glasses are designed for single-serve spirits or layered shooters. They're also used as a measuring tool behind the bar. Available in standard (30ml) and double (60ml) sizes.

Best for: Tequila shots, Sambuca, Layered shooters, Espresso shots

What to Look for When Buying Cocktail Glasses

Material: Polycarbonate vs Traditional Glass

Traditional glass looks beautiful but breaks — and broken glass in a bar or outdoor setting is a serious safety hazard. Premium polycarbonate cocktail glasses offer crystal-clear clarity, the same elegant feel, and virtually unbreakable durability. They're dishwasher safe, BPA-free, and ideal for:

• Poolside and outdoor entertaining
• Hospitality venues and events
• Households with children or pets
• High-volume bars where breakage costs add up

Capacity

Match the glass size to the drink. A martini glass that's too large will look empty; a highball that's too small won't hold enough mixer. Standard capacities to look for:

• Shot glass: 30–60ml
• Old Fashioned: 200–350ml
• Martini / Coupe / Nick & Nora: 150–250ml
• Highball / Mojito: 350–450ml
• Hurricane / Balloon: 450–600ml

Stem vs Stemless

Stemmed glasses keep hands away from the bowl, preventing the drink from warming. Stemless versions are more stable and easier to store, but better suited to drinks served over ice where temperature is less critical.

Stackability and Storage

For hospitality or event use, look for glasses that stack or nest efficiently. Polycarbonate glasses are often designed with this in mind, saving significant storage space.

Dishwasher Safety

All Unbreakable Drinkware polycarbonate cocktail glasses are dishwasher safe — a major advantage over delicate crystal glassware that requires hand washing.

Cocktail Glass Quick-Reference Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most versatile cocktail glass?

The highball glass is the most versatile — it works for a huge range of long drinks, from a simple whisky and soda to a Tom Collins or Paloma. If you're only buying one type, start here.

Can polycarbonate glasses be used for hot drinks?

Polycarbonate is best suited to cold and room-temperature drinks. For hot cocktails like Irish Coffee or Hot Toddy, look for borosilicate glass or stainless steel options.

Are polycarbonate cocktail glasses safe?

Yes. All Unbreakable Drinkware polycarbonate glasses are BPA-free and food-safe, meeting Australian and international food contact standards.

How do I clean polycarbonate cocktail glasses?

Dishwasher safe on the top rack. Avoid abrasive scrubbers that can scratch the surface over time. Do not use bleach-based cleaners.

What's the difference between a coupe and a Nick and Nora glass?

Both are stemmed "up" glasses, but the Nick and Nora has a narrower, more tulip-shaped bowl that concentrates aromas better. The coupe has a wider, shallower bowl that's more dramatic in presentation.

Shop Cocktail Glasses at Unbreakable Drinkware

Browse our full range of premium polycarbonate cocktail glasses — designed for home entertainers, hospitality professionals, and outdoor events. Every glass is shatterproof, dishwasher safe, and built to last.