This year has made us realize how much our home bartending skills could use a little work. And while we’ve gotten way better at shaking up a Ramos Gin Fizz and have perfected our preferred Martini ratios, the experience of enjoying these drinks at home is often dampened by the tools we have.
The truth is, a Manhattan isn’t quite the same when you’re sipping it out of a travel coffee mug. That’s why every home bartender needs to have a suite of essential glassware to showcase the cocktails they’ve whipped up with style. After a lot of testing (sipping), we’ve found our favorite glasses to get the job done every time.
Nick & Nora Glasses
Trendy bars across the country have started replacing the classic coupe with the iconic Nick & Nora Glass. Originally featured prominently in a six-part film series starring husband-and-wife duo Nick and Nora Charles that combined crime and cocktails on the silver screen, these glasses are a refined, modern take on the classic style. Use them for spirit-forward cocktails served straight up.
Double Old Fashioned Glasses
We love a double old fashioned glass because it is a fantastic, catch-all glass. These silver-rimmed beauties from Cocktail Kingdom are used in bars globally, meaning they are built for the long-haul. Use them for spirit-forward cocktails served with a large ice cube.
Crystal Negroni Glasses
Like the double old fashioned glass, these Crystal Negroni Glasses are for those who desire the ultimate aesthetic for their boozier cocktails. The modern styling of these glasses reminds us of enjoying our favorite afternoon tipples in Italy. Use them for Negronis, Old Fashioneds, or even for a simple digestif after dinner.
Mid-Century Modern Highball Glasses
The Highball is one of the simplest cocktails you can make at home and comes to life in a solid highball glass. We love these for their faceted, Mid-Century styling. Use them for light, refreshing cocktails like a Gin and Tonic or Scotch and Soda.
Moscow Mule Mugs
Like most things in drinks history, the history of the Moscow Mule’s connection to a copper mug is…fuzzy. Whatever the case, it’s now universally understood the best Moscow Mules are sipped from flashy copper mugs. We love these for their stainless steel internal construction, which removes the possibility of copper leaching into your drink if you used lime or lemon juice as an ingredient. Use them for Moscow Mules (and the endless, delicious riffs).
Universal Wine Glasses
Even if you don’t drink a lot of wine, you’ll get a lot of mileage from a universal wine glass. These glasses are your go-to vessel for bubbly cocktails, cocktails that need a fair amount of ice, and for cocktails where a stem will help keep your drink cold. Use them for spritzes and sangrias alike.
Heavyweight Shot Glasses
We don’t always take shots, but when we do, we take them out of these fancy shot glasses. Even if your whiskey or tequila isn’t that nice, at least it will look good going down. The heavyweight construction of these crystal shot glasses is hefty, and they’re gorgeous to look at. Just be sure to practice that post-shot face.
