When it comes to making cocktails at home, the glass you serve it in matters more than you might think.

Each cocktail glass has a purpose - balancing the drink’s ingredients, enhancing aroma, controlling temperature, and elevating presentation.

Whether you’re a seasoned home bartender or just starting out, understanding the differences between popular cocktail glassware can make your drinks look and taste more professional.

In this guide, we’ll break down five of the most essential glass types: rocks glass, old fashioned glass, highball glass, coupe glass, and martini glass - and help you decide when to use each.

Rocks Glass vs. Old Fashioned Glass

These two are often confused - and for good reason. They're very similar, but not quite the same.

What Is a Rocks Glass?

• Also known as: Lowball glass, whiskey glass, tumbler

• Design: Short, wide, with thick walls and a heavy base

• Capacity: Typically 8-12 oz (240-355 ml)

• Best For: Spirits served over ice ("on the rocks"), such as whiskey, bourbon, or scotch. Also great for simple stirred cocktails like a Negroni or a Rusty Nail.

Rocks glasses are versatile and often used interchangeably with old fashioned glasses, but they’re slightly larger and more general in design.

Rocks Glass

What Is an Old Fashioned Glass?

• Purpose: Specifically named after the Old Fashioned cocktail

• Design: Similar to a rocks glass but typically slightly smaller and more refined

• Capacity: Around 6-10 oz (180-300 ml)

• Best For: Old Fashioneds, Sazeracs, or other short, spirit-forward cocktails with a single large cube or minimal ice

Key Difference: All old fashioned glasses are rocks glasses, but not all rocks glasses are old fashioned glasses. If you're sticking to tradition or serving smaller portions, go with the old fashioned.

Old Fashioned Glass

Highball Glass

• Design: Tall and narrow with a straight cylindrical shape

• Capacity: 8-14 oz (240-415 ml)

• Best For: High-volume cocktails with mixers, like Gin & Tonic, Mojito, Tom Collins, Dark 'n Stormy, or Paloma

Highball glasses are designed for drinks where the non-alcoholic mixer is just as important as the spirit. The tall shape helps retain carbonation and allows plenty of room for ice, making it ideal for refreshing “long drinks.”

Pro Tip: Don’t confuse highballs with Collins glasses. They’re similar but Collins glasses are usually taller and narrower.

Highball Glass

Coupe Glass

• Design: A shallow, stemmed bowl with a vintage feel

• Capacity: 6-8 oz (180-240 ml)

• Best For: Classic shaken or stirred cocktails served “up” (no ice), such as the Daiquiri, Sidecar, Gimlet, or even a Champagne cocktail

The coupe was the original vessel for sparkling wine but became a favorite for Prohibition-era cocktails. Its curved bowl is elegant and helps hold in aroma, but it can be a bit sloshy if overfilled.

Style Note: The coupe has made a big comeback in modern bars thanks to its timeless Art Deco look.

Coupe Glass

Martini Glass

• Design: Iconic V-shaped bowl with a long stem

• Capacity: 5-8 oz (150-240 ml)

• Best For: Martinis (of course), Manhattans, Cosmopolitans, and other cocktails served chilled without ice

The wide rim of the martini glass allows the drink’s aroma to open up, while the stem keeps your hand from warming the drink. It’s dramatic, stylish, and highly associated with elegant cocktail culture, but spills more easily than a coupe.

Fun Fact: Many bartenders now favor coupes over martini glasses for better balance and easier sipping.

Martini Glass

Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Glass

The right cocktail glass doesn’t just elevate your presentation, it enhances the overall drinking experience. Here's a quick cheat sheet:

Want to make your bar cart even more versatile? Start with one of each, and you’ll be able to serve just about any cocktail with confidence and style.