11 Types Of Cocktail Glasses Explained

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If you're trying to build a home bar, the variety of cocktail glasses available can be bewildering. Walk into a retail store or shop online and you'll find dozens of types, each with endless stylistic variations and geeky technical distinctions. The first thing to know is that form often follows function: Glasses with narrow openings can slow the dissipation of bubbles. Those with wide openings allow aromas to rise toward your nose. A glass with a flat base can support a big fat ice cube, while one with tapered shoulders is better to contain small cubes. There are even one-off glasses designed for a single drink, like a silver cup to hold a Mint Julep, a copper mug for a mule, or a tiki glass with a scowling face for a Zombie, which is indeed a scary drink.

Happily, to get going you can start with just a few types of cocktail glasses that can be used to make most of today's popular drinks. Then you can always add exotic glassware as you up your mixology game. Whether you're expanding your barware collection or starting from scratch, we've highlighted common types of cocktail glasses, with notes on what they're used for and why you may want to add them to your collection.