Cocktail Glass: How to Elevate your Happy Hour

Level up your hosting with Liberty’s guide to the best glassware pairings for every cocktail - from the infamous Negroni Sbagliato to a twist on the classic martini

By: Charlotte Olby

There is a theory within the world of mixology that every cocktail has its own optimum glass pairing in order to achieve the desired and fullest experience. For the budding cocktail maker, or perhaps even the enthusiastic consumer, it is as simple an equation as this: What glass makes what drink sing? So, if you’re getting ready to host a dinner party, games night or simply staying in (but with bells on) - we’re on hand to help you find your own perfect match. Slainte!

Read More: Home Bar Ideas for Elevated Entertaining

Negroni Sbagliato

Best for: Highball

Highball glasses and tumblers are used to serve 'tall' cocktails and are typically used when a large proportion of the cocktail contains a mixer and poured over ice. Professional bartenders like to use a highball glass as it allows the drink to the built directly inside the glass itself, rather than a shaker. More classic highball drinks include the Gin and Tonic, Mojito and a Long Island ice tea - but we see a perfect opportunity to lengthen the popular Negroni with a prosecco fizz.

Serve with a scrape of nduja on a little bread.

Download the Recipe Card

Limoncello Martini

Best for: Coupe

One of the most favourite glasses amongst cocktail connoisseurs, coupe glasses are stemmed, and typically defined by their elegant, shallow saucer. They’re exclusively used for serving “up” drinks, meaning cocktails that are shaken or stirred until chilled and served without ice (as opposed to “on the rocks”). This design, unlike the martini glass, makes it easy to mix and pour cocktails as it's less likely to spill over the edge - and the stem prevents your hand from warming up your cocktail too quickly.

Serve as an aperitivo with boards of big briny green olives, cured meats and hard cheese to nibble on.

Download the Recipe Card

Mezcal Old Fashioned

Best for: Lowball

The old-fashioned glass, also known as a rocks glass or lowball glass, is one of the most common cocktail glasses. It derives its name from the Old-Fashioned Cocktail, which is almost served exclusively in lowball glasses. Simply put, they're shorter glasses (and cocktails) than a highball and are used for drinks like a Vodka Sour, Negroni and the Old Fashioned. Ideal for drinks that you're planning on serving neat, or on-the-rocks (over ice) to end a night well-hosted.

Serve with a huge bowl of tortilla, guacamole and Pico de Gallo.

Download the Recipe Card

Apple Cider Mimosa

Best for: Flutes

The classic champagne flute is tall and straight with a long body and equally long stem, most commonly used to serve (you guessed it!) champagne. This type of glass is ideal for champagne, prosecco and cocktails such as the Bellini, a Mimosa and a French 75, as the design maintains the carbonation of the cocktail and allows the bubbles to travel further - unlike the coupe glass, which lose quite a bit of bubbles through its wide opening. Delightfully warming, this Apple Cider take on the classic Mimosa is perfect for brunch, Thanksgiving or any time you're planning to host in the late summer or autumn season.

Serve with artisan cheeses and crackers