Bartenders need to understand how using the right glass plays a role in the presentation, taste and enjoyment of each drink. The shape, thickness and size of the drinking glass influence the drink’s presentation, temperature control and frothiness.
Simply put — the bartending glassware you choose can make or break the customer’s drinking experience.
This article will explore the different types of bartending glassware, when to use them and how to safely handle, maintain and store them.
Exploring the Different Types of Bartending Glassware
No matter whether you’re serving a cocktail, beer or wine, you need to use a glass that complements the drink.
That said, let’s talk about the different types of glassware used for these drinks. We’ll also discuss how glassware makes a difference in the overall quality of the drinks served.
Cocktail glasses
There are nine basic types of cocktail glasses. Each cocktail glass has its own distinct shape that gives it features that complement the cocktail served inside it.
Below is a table that takes a closer look at these bar glass types, what they’re used for and what makes them ideal for the cocktails served in them:
| Type of glass | Used for | Characteristics |
| Martini glass | Cocktails served “up” (without ice), such as martinis and cosmopolitans | • A stylish alternative to the martini glass with a wider bowl |
| Margarita glass | Tequila-based cocktails like margaritas and tropical cooler | • Broad rim that’s perfect for putting on salt |
| Old fashioned glass | Cocktails served with ice or serving small drinks “neat” (without ice), such as old fashioned or negroni | • Heavy base perfect for muddling ingredients |
| Collins glass | Refreshing tall cocktails like the Tom Collins and gin fizz | • Tall and slender design holds ice and maintains the drink’s effervescence |
| Highball glass | Tall mixed drinks such as a Long Island iced tea | • Slightly shorter and often wider version of the Collins glass |
| Hurricane glass | Tropical cocktails like tiki drinks and frozen daiquiris | • Curved design and wide bowl that supports ice and fruity garnishes, making it excellent for presentation |
| Snifter glass | Brandy and certain aged cocktails like brandy snifter | • Wide bowl and narrow rim allow aromas to concentrate |
| Coupe glass | Drinks served up, like the classic Brandy Alexander | • Stylish alternative to the martini glass with a wider bowl |
| Shot glass | All kinds of shots | • Cylindrical shape, solid bottom with thin walls |
It is worth noting that there are many other types of cocktail glasses besides those mentioned above. Many professional Bartenders like to experiment and put a twist on cocktails. Hence, they might use different glassware like jars, mugs, teacups, bottles or tiki-style glasses.
See also: 30 Best Bartender Drink Recipes
Beer glasses
Similar to cocktail glassware, there are many types of beer glasses as well. While you can pour just about any type of beer into any type of glass, certain glasses have characteristics that enhance the aromatic compounds of the beer.
Below is a table of the 13 basic types of beer glassware, the type of beer they should go with and the characteristics that define them:
| Type of glass | Used for | Characteristics |
| American pint glass | Every type of beer | • Utilitarian 16-ounce glass that’s slightly wider at the mouth than at the base |
| Imperial pint glass | Every type of beer | • 20-ounce glass with a small lip at the mouth |
| Pilsner glass | Pilsner, blonde ale, helles bock, California common, Japanese rice lager | • Tall, slim and slightly wider at the mouth to retain the beer’s head and keep aromatics locked |
| Tulip glass | Belgian strong ale, Belgian dark ale, Belgian IPA, Belgian pale ale, American wild ale | • Bulbous body and a flared lip designed to capture the head and promote the aroma and flavor of Belgian ales and other malty, hoppy beers |
| Thistle glass | Scotch ale, wee heavy | • Short stem, bulbous bottom and an elongated top section that resembles Scotland’s national flower (the thistle) |
| Goblet/chalice glass | Heavy, dark beers like Belgian IPAs, Belgian strong dark ale | • Large, head-retaining round bowl and a thick stem to promote big, hearty sips |
| IPA glass | All kinds of IPAs | • Features ridges at the bottom and a tall, slender, tapered bowl to guide aromatics to your nose |
| Stout glass | All kinds of stouts | • Features a distinct shape of the base and angle of the bowl to accentuate roasted malts and notes of rich coffee and chocolate • The angled shelf and narrow mouth promote head retention |
| Weizen glass | Wheat ale, dunkelweizen, hefeweizen, kristalweizen, weizenbock | • A tall glass with thin walls to showcase the color of wheat beers • The design also locks in the beer’s signature banana and clove aromas and provides proper space for a thick, fluffy head |
| Stange glass | Delicate beers like lambics, gose, Czech pilsners, rye beer, kölsch, bocks | • Narrow, straight and cylindrical to preserve carbonation and concentrate soft hop and malt aromas |
| Teku stemmed beer glass | Lambics and other sours, gruit, fruit and heather beers | • 11.2- or 14.2-ounce tulip-like bowl • A thin lip and a long stem that prevents your hands from transferring warmth to your beer |
| Beer mug | All types of American, German, English, and Irish beers | • Comes in different shapes and sizes but is characterized by thick glass and handle to prevent heat transfer from hand to beer |
| Glass beer boot | Oktoberfest/Märzen, witbier, assorted German beers | • A glass or mug shaped like a boot • Popular at beer festivals and parties, often used in drinking games |
Wine and champagne glasses
Serving wine and champagne in the correct glass enhances both the flavor and aroma of these beverages. There are four basic types of glassware wine and champagne is served in:
| Type of glass | Used for | Characteristics |
| Red wine glass | Red wines | • Large bowl to keep flavor and aroma and a long stem to keep heat away |
| White wine glass | White wines | • Small bowl and long stem to keep wine cool and preserve delicate notes |
| Champagne flute | Champagne | • Fluted shape and narrow bowl to preserve the bubbles |
| Champagne saucer/coupe | Champagne | • Wide rim and shallow bowl often used specifically for vintage-style champagne cocktails and spritzes |
Spirit glasses
When it comes to serving a fine whiskey, vodka or brandy, the glass you pour it in can make all the difference. The right spirits glass plays a crucial role in enhancing the aromas, flavors and overall experience.
Some spirits glasses are also used for making certain cocktails. One such example is the old fashioned glass, also known as a lowball glass or rocks glass.
Here are the most notable spirits glasses and what makes them stand out from one another:
| Type of glass | Used for | Characteristics |
| Lowball glass | Most spirits but best for whiskey, gin, vodka and rum | • Wide and sturdy base, perfect for single or double pours, with or without ice |
| Glencairn glass | Fine whiskey | • Rounded bowl and tapered rim to focus and intensify aromas |
| Nora glass | Most spirits, but best for whiskey and tequila | • Long stem, high-sided bowl and narrow mouth • Considered the more stylish version of the martini glass |
| Brandy glass | Cognac or brandy | • Large bowl with a narrow mouth that allows cognac or brandy to “breathe” and concentrate rich aromas |
| Irish coffee glass | Hot drinks | • Made of heat-resistant glass that prolongs warmth and features a handle for safe holding |
Tips for Cleaning, Storing and Handling Bar Glassware
To prolong the lifespan of the glasses and keep them in pristine condition, careful handling and maintenance of bar glasses is essential.
Not only do these things improve appearance, but also ensure the drinks served in them taste as they should.
We’ll cover each of these areas to help ensure your bartending glassware stays sparkling and your drinks are served properly.
Cleaning and storage tips
Here are some tips for cleaning and storing bartending glassware:
- Hand wash whenever possible: Most glasses (especially the delicate ones like wine, champagne and coupe glasses) are better off hand-washed. This is because dishwashing machines can cause clouding or etching on the glass surface. Moreover, a swift change in temperature can cause the handle or glass to break when handling, resulting in accidents and injuries.
- Avoid soaping beer glasses: Soap residue can reduce head retention in beers, negatively impacting taste and appearance. It’s best to clean these glasses with a dishwasher or hot water (if hand-washing) and let them air-dry.
- Use proper drying cloth: Lint-free microfiber cloths are best for polishing because they don’t leave fibers and residue. This is especially true when polishing tapered-rim and flute-shaped glasses.
- Store glassware based on design: Stemmed glasses like martini glasses and champagne flutes are best stored upright. This prevents damage to the stem by reducing the pressure placed on it by the weight of the glass. Heavier glasses (such as pint glasses and rock glasses), on the other hand, are best stored upside down for easy access and handling.
Handling tips
Below are a few tips on how to properly handle bar glassware:
- Never touch the rim: It goes without saying that touching the rim is unhygienic. Instead, Bartenders should handle glasses at the stem (if there is) or at the base (if there’s no stem). This also helps keep the drink at its ideal temperature. As a general rule of thumb, only the customer must handle the two-thirds at the top.
- Thoroughly inspect the glass before using: Whether you wash your bartending glassware with a dishwashing machine or by hand, always double-check the glass for cracks, lipstick or traces of detergent. The only thing worse than serving a drink in a dirty glass is serving a drink in a cracked glass and causing an injury.
- Pre-chill glasses: This is especially important when serving beer, as beer is best enjoyed cold. A chilled beer glass will keep the drink colder for longer. Some other drinks that can benefit from their glasses being pre-chilled are martinis, daiquiris, margaritas, straight spirits and high-end liquors.
Key Takeaways
Now that we’ve covered everything you need to know about selecting, maintaining and handling bar glassware, let’s summarize the key points to keep your glassware in pristine condition and enhance the drinking experience.
- Ensure the glassware complements the drink: Serving drinks using the right glassware is about much more than just style. Each glass improves the drink’s flavor, aroma and presentation, making it an integral part of the bartending job.
- Know the different types of glassware: Make sure you familiarize yourself with the popular bartending glassware like the lowball glass, martini glass, margarita glass, spirits glasses, beer glasses and wine glasses. Each of these serves a specific purpose for the drinks they’re used for.
- Maintain the glassware’s quality: Proper cleaning, storing and handling will keep your bartending glassware in top-notch condition, ensuring that every drink is served properly.
Bartending Glassware FAQs
Bartenders spin ice in a glass to chill it evenly and control dilution, ensuring the drink stays cold without over-watering. This technique also gently melds flavors, creating a smoother cocktail while adding a touch of professional flair.
Wetting a glass before pouring beer helps reduce foam, allowing for a smoother pour and a more controlled head. The thin water layer reduces friction between the beer and glass, minimizing excess bubbles that can lead to an overly foamy pour. This small step also cools the glass slightly, keeping the beer at its ideal temperature.
Choosing the right glass for a cocktail involves considering the drink’s presentation, temperature and intended drinking experience.
For spirit-forward cocktails like martinis, use a martini glass or coupe glass. This helps the drink stay cold without ice and highlights the cocktail’s elegance.
Drinks with mixers or lots of ice (like gin and tonic) go well in highball glasses or Collins glasses to hold the volume.
For cocktails meant to be sipped slowly (like an old fashioned), a rocks glass or old fashioned glass is ideal. The sturdy base of the glass is perfect for muddling and keeps the drink at a slower dilution rate.
Ultimately, the right glass enhances both the flavor and the drinking experience of each cocktail.
The most versatile cocktail glasses are typically the rocks glass and the highball glass.
Rocks glasses are perfect for cocktails that can go with or without ice, like an old fashioned or a Negroni.
Highball glasses, on the other hand, are ideal for tall drinks and mixed cocktails. Examples of such drinks are gin and tonics, mojitos and even non-alcoholic drinks.
Both glasses can adapt to various cocktails, making them essential in any bar setup.
Get Into the Bartending Industry With OysterLink
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Written by Mitko Terziev
With over eight years of experience in the field, Mitko is a seasoned content specialist who has penned thousands of articles covering a wide array of topics. Before writing, he spent a few months working as a Bartender in one of the best bars in his hometown. In his free time, Mitko enjoys immersing himself in the worlds of gaming and nature.
Reviewed by Marcy Miniano
Marcy is an editor and writer with a background in public relations and brand marketing. Throughout her nearly decade-long career, she has honed her skills in crafting content and helping build brands across various industries — including restaurant and hospitality, travel, tech, fashion and entertainment.
