What are coupe glasses used for?

Created for Champagne, modern coupe glasses are ideal for any cocktail that is served up — meaning not served on ice — from martinis to daiquiris.

How should I hold a coupe glass?

You should hold a coupe by its stem, which is what the stem is for. The purpose of a stemmed glass is to prevent the heat from your hand from warming the drink while holding it. When grasping the glass, hold the top of the stem (just below the bowl) and pinch the stem between the thumb and two forefingers. Try not to cup the bowl — which warms up the cocktail quicker than holding the stem. When resting, it's acceptable to steady the foot of the stem with your opposite hand for balance.

The 9 Best Coupe Glasses of 2024, Reviewed by Bartenders

With their rounded bowl, wide mouth, dainty stem, and durable base, coupe glasses are great for serving Champagne and classic cocktails like a Manhattan. More user-friendly than a sharp-angled martini glass, the best coupe glasses feel comfortable in the hand while providing ample surface area to properly enjoy a cocktail's subtle aromas and flavors.

Coupe glasses are best for cocktails that are shaken or stirred, strained into a chilled glass, and served without ice. If your home bar cart could use a touch of elegance, a set of coupe glasses is sure to do the trick. There are plenty to choose from, between glass, crystal, Nick & Nora, and vintage-inspired styles. We spoke to dozens of bartenders to get the scoop on the best coupe glasses they use in professional settings and at home.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

CB2 Marie Coupe Cocktail Glasses at CB2 ($36)

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Best Vintage Style:

Libbey Capone Speakeasy Coupe Cocktail Glasses at Amazon ($30)

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Best Colorful:

Estelle Colored Glass Champagne Coupe Set at Food52 ($205)

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Best Etched:

Williams Sonoma Coupe Glasses at Williams-Sonoma (See Price)

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Bartender's Choice:

Riedel Veritas Coupe Glasses, Set of 2 at Amazon ($89)

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Best Shatterproof:

Cocktail Kingdom Leopold Coupe at Amazon ($50)

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Best for Champagne:

Waterford Elegance Champagne Belle Coupe Pair at Amazon ($99)

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Best for Martinis:

Schott Zwiesel Tritan Pure Martini Glasses at Amazon ($84)

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Best Nick & Nora Glasses:

Riedel Nick and Nora Cocktail Glasses at Amazon ($40)

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CB2

View On CB2 $36

Pros

At under $50 for a set of six, these glasses are a great value.

Cons

Certain colors of this set tend to sell out quickly.

Don't let the price fool you — these retro-inspired coupe glasses are high-quality, durable, and funky. Beyond the classic clear coupe, this glass comes in an emerald hue with an amber stem and base or a plum tone with an emerald stem and amber base. At 7 ounces, they're slightly more dainty and petite than some other options our bartending experts recommended, which makes them feel a bit more fancy.

In addition to being a great value at under $50 for a set of six, we think these colorful coupes would make a great gift for cocktail lovers or a thoughtful present for party hosts. Due to their overall value, versatility, and simplicity, these get our vote for the best coupe glasses.

Material: Glass
Capacity: 7 ounces

Libbey Capone Speakeasy Coupe Cocktail Glasses

Wayfair

View On Amazon $30 View On Target $30 View On Wayfair $8

Pros

This vintage-inspired coupe glass features a diamond-cut faceted stem that looks more expensive than it is.

Cons

Though they're inexpensive, don't be fooled by putting them in the dishwasher. They require just as much care as their pricier counterparts.

The Libbey Capone Speakeasy Coupe Glass screams post-prohibition indulgence. The upper bowl is designed with clean lines, while the diamond-cut, faceted stem evokes a feeling of vintage glamor. Affordable and durable, this coupe is what you need to take a homemade cocktail — from espresso martinis to daiquiris — to the next level.

Material: Glass
Capacity: 8.6 ounces

Estelle Hand-Blown Colored Cocktail Coupe Glasses (Set of 6)

Food52

View On Food52 $205 View On Nordstrom $205 View On Estellecoloredglass.com $205

Pros

This high-quality set features a coupe glass in six different colors.

Cons

All glasses must be carefully hand washed.

This pastel-colored coupe set by Estelle Colored Glass would look dreamy on any outdoor bar cart. Handblown by glass artisans in Poland, the six coupes feature a mix of jewel tones and soft pastels that are party-ready. Whether you're hosting a casual happy hour or an intimate dinner party, these colorful coupes will elevate your dining table or patio table aesthetic.

Material: Glass
Capacity: 8.25 ounces

Courtesy of Williams Sonoma

View On Williams-Sonoma

Pros

The delicate floral etching reminds us of vintage glassware.

Cons

Though these are technically dishwasher-safe, we recommend handwashing to preserve the dainty etching.

Reminiscent of the glassware your grandmother might have used for holiday meals or special occasions, these etched coupes from Williams-Sonoma are brimming with vintage charm. They're slightly shorter and more squat than other coupes on our list, and their curved pedestal stem makes them easy to hold. These would make a great housewarming gift and would be an elegant addition to your existing glassware collection.

Material: Glass
Capacity: 9 ounces

Bed Bath & Beyond

View On Amazon $89 View On Walmart $89 View On Wayfair $89

Pros

Riedel's cost-to-quality ratio is unmatched, with equal parts style and durability.

Cons

A pack of two will set you back nearly $90.

Riedel coupe glasses strike the perfect balance between opulence and practicality — their simple, clean lines and delicate curvature make them sophisticated and workable, allowing any cocktail to shine. It's no surprise that every bartender we spoke with named Riedel among their preferred coupe glass.

This product line features a long, thin stem and a bowl deep enough to house a standard cocktail with some room to spare. This machine-made crystal coupe also offers serious durability compared to other glasses — so if you're throwing a party, don't worry about your guests shattering their rosemary gimlet across the floor.

Material: Crystal
Capacity: 8.4 ounces

Cocktail Kingdom

View On Amazon $50 View On Cocktail Kingdom

Pros

This is one of the most durable coupes used in bars worldwide.

Cons

Given its simplistic design, this pick is more traditional than others recommended by our experts.

As coupes tend to be the most fragile piece of glassware in one's kitchen, you want to look for something tempered and durable. For many of the pros we spoke with, the Cocktail Kingdom Leopold Coupe glass is considered the most trustworthy pick. Beyond its strength, this coupe's classic elegance competes fiercely with some of the other more colorful and intricately designed options on this list — making it a great option for someone looking for a long-lasting, simple coupe.

Material: Glass
Capacity: 6 ounces

Waterford Elegance Champagne Belle Coupe Pair

Amazon

View On Amazon $99 View On Wayfair $115 View On Nordstrom $115

Pros

This is one of the more affordable crystal coupes available.

Cons

This glass is delicate, so treat it with care.

The Elegance Champagne Belle Coupe Glass is one of the more affordable hand-made crystal options. With the clear, crisp bowl, deep V plunge, and delicate stem, this pick works especially well as a Champagne glass, but it also works nicely for serving any cocktail topped with bubbly. Because this glass has a more minimalist design, it's easy to incorporate into a larger home cocktail glassware collection.

Material: Crystal
Capacity: 7.8 ounces

Schott-zwiesel-tritan-pure-martini-glasses

Amazon

View On Amazon $84 View On Williams-Sonoma $16 View On Pottery Barn $84

Pros

This coupe glass is durable, affordable, and features a generous size for larger cocktails.

Cons

Though these glasses are dishwasher safe, we still recommend hand washing for safety and longevity.

For higher volume and more creative shaken cocktails, the Schott Zwiesel Pure Martini Glass is recommended by our pros. With an inward slope for varied cocktails, like gimlets or martinis, Schott Zwiesel glassware resists chips, scratches, breakage, and discoloration thanks to its patented Tritan crystal. It's designed with a more rounded shape than most traditional martini glasses, which makes its lip much easier to sip from.

Material: Crystal
Capacity: 11.6 ounces

Amazon

View On Amazon $40 View On Walmart $45 View On Wayfair $45

Pros

A cross between a martini glass and a coupe, the Nick & Nora glass is quite versatile.

Cons

These glasses have a slightly smaller capacity at under 5 ounces.

One of the most popular cocktail glasses in bars and restaurants right now, Nick and Nora glasses are small cocktail glasses that are tulip-shaped, with narrow, deep walls. These glasses work nicely for any cocktail served in a coupe since it's virtually impossible to spill a martini when drinking from one. The narrow shape and deeper walls are perfect for small, stiff cocktails like an Aviation, Manhattan, or a classic (spill-proof!) martini.

Material: Glass
Capacity: 4.94 ounces

Our Favorite Coupe

Coupes are a great way to add elegance to shaken or stirred cocktails. Though there are countless coupes, from glass to crystal and sleek to etched, our experts recommend the Riedel Veritas Coupe. This glass looks sophisticated, and it won't spill easily. The height and size are favorable for both storage and durability.

Factors to Consider

Intended Use

Any drink can benefit from the elegance of a coupe glass. Though they were originally created for serving champagne, they are more commonly used for cocktails these days.

Material

Glass is almost always the best choice for home bartenders (many cocktail glasses are made from glass) as the material is as durable as it is sophisticated. But if you're willing to splurge, then crystal is the way to go. Beware that certain crystal coupes can be more delicate than glass.

Cleaning

Whether it's a wine glass or coupe glass, nothing beats hand washing and air drying. The best practice is to polish with a microfiber towel to remove watermarks. Also, keep an eye on that rim — you can't use a straw, so lipstick is dangerous. Whatever you do, steer clear of the dishwasher. Even if your coupe glass brands itself as dishwasher-safe, putting it into a machine risks damaging or breaking the delicate stem.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are coupe glasses used for?

Created for Champagne, modern coupe glasses are ideal for any cocktail that is served up — meaning not served on ice — from martinis to daiquiris.
How should I hold a coupe glass?

You should hold a coupe by its stem, which is what the stem is for. The purpose of a stemmed glass is to prevent the heat from your hand from warming the drink while holding it. When grasping the glass, hold the top of the stem (just below the bowl) and pinch the stem between the thumb and two forefingers. Try not to cup the bowl — which warms up the cocktail quicker than holding the stem. When resting, it's acceptable to steady the foot of the stem with your opposite hand for balance.

Our Expertise

Clarissa Buch Zilberman is an acclaimed food writer with nearly a decade of experience. After extensively researching this topic, she consulted more than a dozen bartenders to get their take on the best coupe glasses available. She scoured reviews, compared the responses with chef input, and weighed the information against all factors to round out the list.