Consider when and how you'll be using them. Do you own whiskey glasses already, or not? Are they for special occasions only, pulled off the shelves when entertaining? Or, in a pinch, will they be subbed in for drinking glasses? Crystal can be made into thinner vessels than glass while maintaining durability, but daily use can take its toll on paper-thin glasses, not to mention most crystal has to be hand washed. Kate Dingwall is an experienced spirits and wine writer. She has been writing about the bar and spirits world for five years. Outside of writing, she is a working sommelier and bartender with her WSET-III. To test these glasses, she served two defining drinks in them—a clear, ice-cold martini to gauge how the lip served high-end spirits and a fluffy Brandy Alexander to test how the glass showcases foam. Crystal margarita glasses are a must-have for anyone who likes a nice margarita. The broad rim of these glasses makes it simple to salt them, while the stem keeps your drink ice without chilling your hand. You may also enjoy the beauty and durability of lead crystal in your barware with North American Crystal's crystal margarita glasses. Whisky, Gin and water tumblers available in all shapes and sizes in a wide selection of beautiful hand cuttings Miranda Breedlove, national director of bars for Hyatt’s lifestyle division, has a particular affinity for these funky coupes by cult-favorite Turkish glassware brand NUDE. “These Art Deco beauties are having a moment for me—I love the shape, and they’re also a joy to drink out of,” she says. “I judge a coupe based on whether or not I can walk around, do the usual hand gesture or one-armed hug with it, and not spill. This one passed the test!” (Our home tester seconds this—they’re excellent for folks who talk with their hands!)

It’s always worth keeping an eye out for good second-hand glassware at vintage, consignment, and thrift stores, but until you find your perfect match, you can get a brand-new set inspired by vintage designs. (Plus, with vintage crystal, you run the risk of finding some with lead.) For this reason, we put the vintage-inspired Godinger Champagne Coupes to the test.

Our crystal decanters are available in a variety of different shapes and sizes to compliment your drinks selection. Measuring 4.75 inches tall, this oval-shaped glass can hold a little more than 21 ounces. It's the ideal environment for any wine from delicate sparkling rosé to full-bodied red wine, while not being too oversized for smaller hands. I'm incredibly particular about glassware: how it feels in my hand texturally, the balance, the glassmaking technique, and the size of the bowl,” says bartender and drinks writer Tyler Zielinski. “NUDE glassware is my top recommendation nine times out of ten because of how affordable these glasses are, given their quality."

These glasses were pretty easy to clean—this glass is dishwasher safe, and because it's shorter you don't have to worry about the stem smashing in the washer. If your recipient is looking for something that's not so large, these aren't the glasses to gift. Riedel has had over 300 years to perfect the craftsmanship of its crystal, and its Spey Whisky Tumblers combine affordability, quality, and style into one excellent whiskey glass. The name is a nod to Scotland’s River Spey, an area that is renowned for producing exceptional whiskies in the Speyside region. In homage to the river, the glass features a chic design of diamond- and wedge-cut glass in the style of Art Nouveau. Veteran bartenders Jena Lane and Steven Ferreira have part of a set of these stunning Schott Zwiesel coupes, designed in collaboration with award-winning barman Charles Joly. With a capacity of 9.1 ounces and impressive durability, these etched glasses are on the larger side of the coupe glass spectrum, making them great for sours, according to Ferreira. Plus, the sentimental value makes for a great conversation starter. “Any time someone compliments [this] glass, I always tell the story of how it wound up in my possession," he says. Other perks of the glass, according to Boden, include its weight and versatile design. "The etching style is really adaptable with different types of ice because there is a circular shape and a square shape, so a big cube, an ice ball, or normal cubes of ice look right at home," he says. "The weight is really nice, as well, substantial without being cumbersome." Gin has recently been hailed as the UK’s favourite spirit. Enhance your Gin experience by choosing from a wide range of speciality gin glasses

Conclusion

Capacity: 4 ounces (Note: These are definitely larger than 4 ounces) | Height: 5 inches | Number of Glasses: 4 | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

Beverage consultant Damon Roseberry has long been a fan of Libbey’s coupes, specifically this 8-ounce model from the brand’s Master’s Reserve collection, available mostly at wholesale. “The shallow depth, wide mouth, and long stem [make] drinks look sleek yet don’t fool a customer into believing they’re being shorted,” he notes. There are higher grades of plastic glasses that are designed to be reused multiple times, just like a regular glass. These glasses are far more durable and designed to be used outdoors and on poolsides, with a heavier construction that mimics glass but is virtually shatterproof. There are also materials like Tritan, a durable glass replica. The material offers all the clarity and design of glass, but without the ability to shatter. If you’re prone to breaking crystal or you like to bring your drinks into nature, Tritan is an option that suits your needs.Glasses is this collection include the hand made barley twist stem glass, the thistle shaped stemmed whisky glass and the tulip shaped scotch whisky glass.

There are two ways to chill a martini glass. First, you could simply store it empty in your fridge. Alternatively, while you’re building your martini in a shaker or mixing tin, fill your martini glass with ice water to chill it down. Then, discard the ice when you're ready to pour your drink. While all of these glasses are coupes, they vary wildly in design. NUDE’s Savage coupes are stilettoed and saucered in shapes. Godinger’s coupes are pulled from another century, with careful cut-crystal design and heavier weight. Libbey’s glasses are unfussy in design, as they act as a blank canvas for your drink, while NUDE’s Big Top coupes are incredibly unique in presentation.Take a wedge of lime or lemon, make a small slit in the middle, and run it over the rim of the glass. Next, fill a small plate with seasoned salt — maybe that’s standard flakey salt, a spicy chili mix, or a traditional Mexican worm salt. Next, turn the glass upside down and lower it into the salt. Flip your glass around, add ice, and build your drink out as usual. A classical hand cut wine suite inspired by the great tradition of the City of Edinburgh. A City which has created a legend out of glass for over four centuries.