Life is meant to be enjoyed—and it’s the small things that make the difference. No matter how delicious a cocktail may be, serving it in a paper cup ruins the experience. Serve it in the right glass, though, and it delivers an instant jolt of joy, elevating the whole drink.
At JoyJolt, you will find a selection of cocktail glassware with sophisticated designs and affordable prices. Why use the same glass for different drinks and cocktails? With JoyJolt, you can browse our full cocktail glass selection and have the right cocktail glass for any occasion.
Imagine evenings spent with friends sipping a classic cocktail. Experience late-night drinks with loved ones, nursing a drink in the right glass, and welcome to the world of cocktails, where the right glassware can make all the difference.
Whether you're a seasoned mixologist or a casual cocktail enthusiast, the glass you serve your drink in is far from trivial.
What a Difference a Glass Makes
You may wonder why there are so many types of glass when one might suffice. Part of it is tradition. While it may seem that different cocktail glasses are a novelty, many designs have historical roots that tie back to the evolution of the cocktail itself.
For example, Martini glasses gained prominence sometime in the early 20th century, coinciding with the rise of the Martini as a popular choice among American socialites. And Hurricane glasses have origins that are steeped in lore and local culture, having been popularized in the vibrant tiki bars of the mid-1900s.
Different alcohol glasses were developed through tradition and cocktail glass names often come with legendary stories. People have been drinking cocktails and sharing stories for ages — a past that is immortalized in each and every cocktail glass you will find at JoyJolt.
The Science Behind the Right Cocktail Glass
The design of cocktail glassware types is not mere aesthetics: there's plenty of science involved as well. The shape of a glass can affect aeration — the way air interacts with the drink to release its flavors. It influences the release of aromas and alters our perception of taste.
For example, wide-brimmed martini glasses allow for better aeration of cocktails, thus enhancing their flavors. As for flute-shaped champagne glasses, they help the bubbles develop and stop them from fizzing out. Similarly, taller glasses are typically used to make cocktails with mixers, providing ample space for both the drink, plenty of ice, and accompanying garnish.
Understanding the rationale behind glassware design will deepen your appreciation for cocktail crafting. Even if you are not a professional mixer, there is something to be said about a cocktail glass that brings out the aroma of your drink and helps you make the most of it.
Different Types of Cocktail Glasses
Rocks Glass
Rocks glasses, also known as Old-Fashioned glasses, are the workhorse of cocktail glassware. Their sturdy design and wide bases make them ideal for drinks that are served 'on the rocks,' like the Old-Fashioned or Negroni, or even bourbon on the rocks.
The Rocks glass’ straightforward design offers stability and practicality. The addition of ice makes the drink last longer, while Rocks glasses give drinks the space they need to develop all their aromas. Many of our customers use them as Manhattan glasses or whiskey glasses.
The wide brim allows for easy stirring and provides ample space for adding fruits or herbs directly into the glass. Its heavy base offers stability and a comfortable grip, allowing you to enjoy your drink without fear of spills.
When it comes to home bars, the Old Fashioned glass is a traditional must-have. The heavy bottom adds balance and a sense of sophistication to your drink.
Traditional Rocks glasses are usually 6 to 8 ounces large, which gives you plenty of drink to enjoy. You can also opt for a double old-fashioned glass, which can hold 10–14 ounces.
The Double-Rocks glass is larger than the single one even if not actually double in size. While we don’t sell Margarita glasses, the Double-Rocks can also be used for Margaritas. Garnished with salt, it’s a great alternative to traditional Margarita glasses.
Coupe Glass
Coupe glasses are among the most versatile alcohol-drinking glasses you can ever have. Their wide rim lets you garnish your cocktail and enhance the drinking experience for you, while the stem lets you hold your drink without warming up the cocktail. The elegant shape of the glass lets all the cocktail aromas develop slowly and blend smoothly together. The Coupe cocktail glass looks very similar to the Nick and Nora glass but is slightly less bell-shaped.
With its shallow, broad bowl and short stem, a Coupe glass is ideal for cocktails like the Sidecar and some Daiquiris. Its shape makes it easy to slowly sip your drink while it beautifully showcases the cocktail’s color and garnish. While it may not hold the temperature as well as other glasses, its vintage charm makes it a popular choice for many.
Coupe glasses are great for mixed drinks that don’t require ice, so they are the perfect accessory for chilled cocktails like the Manhattan.
Some people choose Coupe glasses for champagne, but the wide rim surface means that the bubbles will fizzle out quickly.
Highball Glass
Tall and narrow, Highball glasses can hold 12 ounces of drink and are perfect for vodka and sodas, rum and coke, or gin and tonic. Short and wide compared to Collins glasses (which are ideal for your Tom Collins cocktail or a mojito), the Highball glass has plenty of room that lets you mix the drink inside the glass and stir it instead of using a mixer. Highball glasses are ideal for a Bloody Mary, a Long Island Iced Tea, and other classic cocktails.
When you don’t use your Highball glasses for your cocktails, you can also use them for juice, soft beverages, or iced tea, which makes them extremely versatile and handy. Indeed, Highball glasses are one of the most popular drink glasses types.
Martini Glass
Have you heard the one with the Latin professor who walks into a bar and orders a Martinus? “Do you mean Martini?” The barman asks. “If I wanted two, I would have said so,” grunts the professor.
No matter how many you order, Martini glasses are elegant and will look delicate and beautiful on your bar cart. Their long stem is there to prevent your favorite drink from warming up. The V-shape of the Martini glass lets you sip the drink slowly and enjoy every last drop while it beautifully supports garnishes on toothpicks. The steep slopes boost the ingredients and let them blend effortlessly without separating.
As the name suggests, Martini glasses are the most suitable cocktail glassware for your Martinis (shaken or stirred!) and Cosmopolitans. They are also used to serve drinks that don’t require ice.
Champagne Flute
Slender and tall, champagne flutes let you enjoy your champagne without missing out on the bubbles. The small rim traps the bubbles inside and doesn’t let them fizzle out.
Hurricane Glass
There is something about a Hurricane glass that instantly makes you dream of the tropics during happy hour. Hurricane glasses take their name from the Hurricane cocktail and are great for all tropical cocktails, such as a Pina Colada or a Daiquiri. This glass is also a staple for tropical and exotic fruity cocktails while the tall, voluminous round bowl allows for a generous amount of ice and mixers.
The glass features a short stem and a flared rim that showcases garnishes and colorful layers beautifully. It adds an extra layer of festivity to any setting and is great for summer garden parties.
Hurricane glasses hold around 10 to 12 ounces of content and are commonly used for drinks that include fruit juices and a lot of ice. The height of the glass allows the drink colors to develop and adds an exotic touch to your drinking experience.
Shot Glass
Shot glasses are the smallest of the bunch, designed for drinks that are meant to be consumed quickly. These glasses are perfect for serving straight spirits or layered shooters and make ideal liquor glasses for home as for bars and restaurants. They come in various shapes and sizes, from the standard shot to the double shot glass. Their straightforward design focuses on function — getting the drink from the glass to your mouth in the most efficient way possible.
Small and stubby, the shot glass holds up to one-and-a-half ounces of liquid. The heavy bottom is designed so that it can withstand the shock when you put it down with gusto at the bar.
Due to its small size, the shot glass is not meant to be filled to the rim. Allow a little space at the top so you cheer with your friends while you enjoy your shot of vodka, tequila, whiskey, or fruit spirit. The small size of the glass gives you the opportunity to try many different shots and flavors.
Choosing the Right Cocktail Glass
Whether you're a professional bartender who wishes to stock your bar or simply looking to enhance your at-home cocktail experience, the right glass can make all the difference. Why should you compromise on the small things that make life more fun? The right cocktail glass can boost your drinking experience and help you enjoy your drink more.
Choosing among the many different types of cocktail glasses depends on several factors: the type of cocktail, the occasion, and, of course, your own aesthetic preferences. If you don’t drink spirits or whiskey, a shot glass may be useless. If you love tropical cocktails, a set of Hurricane glasses is a must.
For a formal setting, classic glasses like the Martini or Coupe are often suitable. For casual gatherings, a Highball or Rocks glass may be perfect.
If you are unsure about the cocktail glasses your household needs, you can select the most common types of glasses and the most versatile ones. You can then mix and match glasses and cocktails and experiment with your cocktail glass selection.
Trust JoyJolt for Your Cocktail Glasses
Our mission is to create high-quality yet affordable products that fill every moment with joy and serve as a source of inspiration for an elevated lifestyle. If you are looking to build up your home bar selection of cocktail glasses, JoyJolt gives you a great variety of choices at friendly prices.
Whatever your preferences, you will find at our store all the different types of bar glasses you might need. Inspiring, practical, and of the best quality, our cocktail glasses are designed to offer you the most interesting and astonishing designs, such as our elegantly vintage fluted cylinder ribbed glasses.
Why settle for less-than-perfect drink glasses? Thanks to our wide collection, you can buy the right cocktail glasses for every occasion and every drink. So, join the JoyJolt community and raise a glass to the art of the perfect cocktail. Drinks served!
