Deck Out Your Home Bar With Luxe Glassware for Every Cocktail and Wine Varietal
From Nick and Nora glasses to Lalique coupes, we’ve got you covered.

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We are firm believers in the notion that one can never have too much glassware. A snifter for every whiskey, from peaty Scotches to Japanese whiskies, and a wine glass for each varietal, would be our preference. The world of luxury glassware, for wines, cocktails, and straight spirits, is enticing because of the glasses’ high-concept design, which is both aesthetically pleasing and allows the drinker to experience the beverage aromatics. We’ve investigated the best high-end glassware, taking into account classic coupes, 1930s-era Nick and Nora glasses, and rocks glasses inspired by hotels with world-renowned cocktail programs. Here, the best wine glasses and cocktail glasses for every occasion and beverage.

Martinis
There are few martinis more classic in the beverage world than The Connaught martini—James Bond himself would agree. Coming off their win as the world’s best bar, according to the World’s 50 Best, this American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts property is simply an institution. These sturdy, hand-decorated martini glasses mirror the design of The Connaught’s bar, etched with subtle, gray-silver leaves.
To buy: £84 ($112) for two, shop.the-connaught.co.uk

Highballs, Campari Sodas, Mojitos, Tall Mixed Drinks
Every at-home cocktail maker needs a perfect glass for tall drinks, whether that’s a highball (whiskey and soda, served in a tall glass over ice), a Campari with soda, or even something in the vein of a mojito. Enter, the Tom Dixon Puck highball glasses, a distinctive glass that purposefully juxtaposes even the simplest beverage.
To buy: $65 for two, tomdixon.net

Cognac
Every luxury collection needs a set of cognac glasses—it’s what the French would expect, after all. The Lalique cognac glasses from their 100 Points collection are a classic for a reason; they’re well-made and always present beautifully.
To buy: $840 for six, lalique.com

Champagne
For a simple glass of Champagne, rather than a Champagne cocktail, you have to opt for a classic flute. There are a number of gorgeous luxury Champagne flutes to choose from, like these iconic Waterford crystal glasses.
To buy: From $75, perigold.com

Bloody Marys
For a bloody mary glass fit for a luxury hotel, use the iconic St. Regis glasses, which are now sold at the St. Regis Boutique. Their bloody mary dates back to 1934, so we trust their take on highball glasses (these ones are by Saint-Louis) as the best bloody mary glassware on the market.
To buy: $1,800 for four, stregisboutique.com

Red Wine
If you don’t consider Riedel when you’re buying new glasses, are you really a wino? Riedel is known for making some of the best wine glasses on the market, and one of the reasons we gravitate toward their collection is their varietal-specific glasses. You can buy pinot noir, syrah, riesling, and cabernet glasses—the list goes on and on. Start with glasses for a lighter to medium-bodied red, like the Veritas glasses for pinot noir.
To buy: $69 for two, bloomingdales.com

White Wine
Sommeliers and wine connoisseurs alike seem to fawn over the Zalto Denk’Art glasses, especially for white wine. They run for $59 per glass and are said to be more than worth the price.
To buy: $59, amazon.com

Old-Fashioned
While you can, of course, serve Old-Fashioneds in a simple rocks glass, most connoisseurs like a glass that’s a little dressed up for this cocktail. A set of four Marquis glasses is perhaps an obvious choice, but the lovely design looks perfect with a large square block of ice, golden-brown liquor, and an orange peel.
To buy: $50 for four, waterford.com

Margaritas, Palomas, Tiki Drinks, Short Cocktails
Old-Fashioned glasses aside, a signature rocks glass is just as essential. Rocks glasses have become a catch-all cocktail glass, and that’s largely because they’re preferable for cocktails that might otherwise be served in a statement glass (like a margarita goblet or a Tiki glass). The Schott Zwiesel rocks glasses let the cocktail, whether it’s a Tiki drink over crushed ice or a mezcal paloma, speak for itself.
To buy: $48 for six, surlatable.com

Manhattans, Sazeracs, Negronis
For the potent cocktails (hey, Sazerac) and the ‘40s nostalgia cocktails (Manhattans, gimlets, etc.), we love a Nick and Nora glass. The 1930s-style glass is having a moment, much like the coupe was a few years ago. Start with a classic set from Crate and Barrel, and if you find you love to serve martinis or other highly alcoholic cocktails shaken and poured over ice in these glasses, you can branch out to more artfully decorated Nick and Nora glasses.
To buy: $8, crateandbarrel.com

Whiskey Tasting
For those interested in tasting a variety of spirits, a set of snifters is a must. While these are most commonly used to taste whiskies, the tulip top of the glass offers aromatic insight for the taster, regardless of the spirit.
To buy: $60 for four, williams-sonoma.com

Spritzes
You can serve an Aperol Spritz in a white wine glass, but it really shines with a full slice of orange, a handful of ice, and a balloon glass. Take one look at these Tom Dixon Balloon Glasses and you’ll swear your back at a five-star Amalfi Coast hotel.
To buy: £70 ($93) for two, tomdixon.net

Mimosas, Bellinis
We thought long and hard about where exactly the coupe glass belonged on this list. Some like to strain a Negroni or a martini into a coupe, but we’re fans of using a coupe for a Champagne cocktail, whether that’s a French 75 or even a simple Bellini or mimosa. Our coupe of choice? We’re back to the Lalique 100 Points collection—their coupe is simple and classic.
To buy: $960 for six, lalique.com
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