Your 5 "Must Have" Bar Glasses

Every home bartender should be equipped with the right glassware to serve a wide range of cocktails properly. While there are dozens of specialty glasses out there, you only really need five core types to cover most drinks.

Rocks Glass

Ideal for Old Fashioneds, Negronis, Whiskey neat or on the rocks, White Russians. Size typically 8–10 oz. Why you need it great for short drinks with little or no mixer, and works well with ice.

Highball Glass

Ideal for Gin & Tonics, Mojitos, Rum & Cokes, Tom Collins. Size 10–14 oz. Why you need it Perfect for tall, fizzy cocktails that are topped with soda or tonic water.

Cocktail Glass

Ideal for Martinis, Manhattans, Daiquiris, Sidecars. Size 5–8 oz (smaller sizes preferred to keep drinks cold). Why you need it used for cocktails served "up" (chilled but without ice). The wide bowl allows aromas to open up, though it’s notoriously spill-prone.

Coupe Glass

Ideal for champagne cocktails, French 75s, Sidecars, Espresso Martinis. Size 6–8 oz. Why you need it a vintage alternative to the martini glass, it’s a bit more stable and equally classy. Versatile enough to double for champagne or stirred cocktails.

Beer Glass

Ideal for Beer (of course), but also useful for shaking drinks if you don’t have a proper shaker tin. Size 16 oz (American pint). Why you need it doubles as a shaker tin with a Boston shaker setup, and of course, perfect for beer or long cocktails.

Optional Add-Ons

Wine Glass red and white versions if you're entertaining. Nick & Nora Glass great for small, spirit-forward cocktails. Shot Glass for measuring or serving shooters. Mule Mug for the iconic Moscow Mule, though a highball glass also works.

Want a minimalist setup? Start with a rocks glass and a highball glass, and you can still serve 80% of cocktails.