What are coupe glasses used for?

Originally created for champagne, coupe glasses today are ideal for any cocktail that goes "up," meaning not served on ice — in other words, everything from martinis to daiquiris.

How do you pronounce "coupe" correctly?

When referring to a coupe glass, it's pronounced "koop."

How should I hold a coupe glass?

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 8 Best Coupe Glasses of 2023, According to Experts

For serving Champagne, sparkling cocktails, and even stiff drinks like martinis, coupe glasses can be as versatile as wine glasses. The nimble size, protective rim, and classic style can immediately elevate your coupe drink of choice.

Technically speaking, coupe glasses are used to serve "up and over" cocktails, which means any drink that's shaken or stirred, strained into a chilled glass, and served without ice. In a bar environment, these glasses help achieve the ideal dilution from preparing a drink and maintain a cold temperature through the last sip. The wide mouth of the bowl also allows the cocktail to aerate and release aromas from the cocktail one sip at a time.

If your home bar could use a touch of glamor, a set of coupe glasses is sure to do the trick. There are plenty to choose from, between glass and crystal and modern and vintage styles. We spoke to more than a dozen bartenders to find out what coupe glasses they swear by. Read on for all of the best coupe glass picks.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Riedel Veritas Coupe Glasses, Set of 2 at Amazon

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Best Value:

Libbey 3055 Perception Cocktail Coupe at Amazon

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Best for Champagne:

Waterford Elegance Champagne Belle Coupe Pair at Amazon

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Best Vintage Style:

Libbey Capone Speakeasy Coupe Cocktail Glasses at Wayfair

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Best for Martinis:

Schott Zwiesel Tritan Pure Martini Glasses at Amazon

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Best Set:

Estelle Colored Glass Champagne Coupe Set at Nordstrom

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Best for Gifting:

CB2 Marie Coupe Cocktail Glasses at CB2

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Best for Shatterproof:

Cocktail Kingdom Leopold Coupe at Amazon

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Bed Bath & Beyond

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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 $80.

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 drink 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 a gimlet across the floor.

Price at time of publish: $79

Material: Crystal
Capacity: 8.4 ounces

Amazon

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Pros

Drinkers will never know this coupe is one of the most inexpensive on the market.

Cons

The material is glass, not crystal.

For a less expensive alternative to Riedel, most bartenders agree Libbey glasses are a close second. The 3055 Perception Cocktail Coupe is just as stylish and durable at a fraction of the price — the only difference is the material is glass instead of crystal. But for a home bar, not many will know the difference.

Price at time of publish: $14

Material: Glass
Capacity: 8.5 ounces

4.8

Waterford Elegance Champagne Belle Coupe Pair

Amazon

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Pros

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 glass lends itself to everything from champagne to intricate cocktails. Because this glass has a more minimalist design, it's easy to incorporate into a larger home glassware collection.

Price at time of publish: $100

Material: Crystal
Capacity: 7.8 ounces

Libbey Capone Speakeasy Coupe Cocktail Glasses

Wayfair

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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. Simple, clean lines dominate the upper bowl, 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.

Price at time of publish: $30

Material: Glass
Capacity: 8.6 ounces

4.5

Schott-zwiesel-tritan-pure-martini-glasses

Amazon

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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.

Price at time of publish: $84

Material: Crystal
Capacity: 11.6 ounces

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

Food52

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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 begs for a spot out in the open. Hand blown by glass artisans in Poland, the six coupes feature a mix of jewel tones and soft pastels, instantly elevating any table setting.

Price at time of publish: $205

Material: Glass
Capacity: 8.25 ounces

CB2

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Pros

These glasses look much more expensive than they are.

Cons

The set of six is known to sell out quickly.

Don't let the price fool you — these retro-inspired coupe glasses are high-quality, durable, and funky in color. Beyond the classic clear coupe, this glass comes in a striking cobalt hue with an emerald steam and pastel pink base or a peony tone with a cobalt steam and emerald base.

Price at time of publish: $36

Material: Glass
Capacity: 7 ounces

Cocktail Kingdom

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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 "old trusty." 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.

Price at time of publish: $40

Material: Glass
Capacity: 6 ounces

Our Favorite

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 overwhelmingly 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 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

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 the stem.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are coupe glasses used for?

Originally created for champagne, coupe glasses today are ideal for any cocktail that goes "up," meaning not served on ice — in other words, everything from martinis to daiquiris.
How do you pronounce "coupe" correctly?

When referring to a coupe glass, it's pronounced "koop."
How should I hold a coupe glass?

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 chefs 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.