The 8 Best Cocktail Mixing Glasses

Contrary to popular belief, a cocktail mixing glass doesn’t have to be made of glass. In fact, there are two camps, and both present a compelling case. Team glass is made up of the old-school romantics, the loyalists, who prefer the twinkling sound of ice against glass walls. Then, there’s team metal, whose appreciation for extreme durability supersedes any disdain for the cold scrape of a bar spoon against metal.

Paul Morrison, the lead bartender at L.A. Jackson in Nashville, explains the main selling points of glass and metal mixing vessels: “The metal ones obviously never break, so you don’t have to replace them. [Secondly], metal chills drinks faster and dilutes ice slower than glass does,” he tells us.

But while those features are advantageous for a high-volume bar like his, Morrison says he still prefers glass. “I’ve found that the metal ones are usually so light that when you stir they have a tendency to tip over. But honestly, there’s just something sexy about stirring in a glass mixing glass.”

When it comes to figuring out what to buy, there are considerations such as what type you want, the design, and the features they have. Our experts made sure those were addressed, too.

Top Picks

Best Overall:

Cocktail Kingdom 500 mL Yarai Mixing Glass at Amazon $39

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Best Budget:

SALE

Viski 500 mL Lead-Free Crystal Cocktail Mixing Glass at Amazon ~~$31~~ $25

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Best Custom:

Amehla Co. Handblown Seamless Plain Cocktail Mixing Glass at Amazon $24

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Best Metal:

Final Touch Double-Wall Stainless Steel Yarai Mixing Pitcher at Amazon

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Best Decorative:

Cocktail Kingdom Berry Wall Footed Mixing Glass at Amazon $50

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Best Large Format:

Cocktail Kingdom Extra Large Stemmed Mixing Glass at Amazon $57

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Best Set:

Estelle Colored Glass Handblown Rocks Glasses at West Elm

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Best Splurge:

Bull in China The Flagship at Etsy

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Best Overall

Cocktail Kingdom 500 mL Yarai Mixing Glass

Credit: Amazon

$39

$37 at Amazon View on Cocktailkingdomcanada.com

Pros

Heavy base
Sturdy
Classic design

Cons

Expensive

“We’ve always used Yarai mixing glasses,” says Morrison, referring to Cocktail Kingdom’s classic, heavy-duty stirring vessel. “It’s been the staple mixing glass since I began bartending. They use thick glass, so it’s not easily breakable, and it has a heavy base, which keeps it sturdy as you are stirring.

An added bonus is its total beauty. “Its signature diamond-cut design looks great sitting on top of the bar. Guests always ask where they can get one.” It's not the least expensive offering, which works a bit against it.

Capacity: 19 ounces (1 to 2 drinks) | Material: Lead-free crystal | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

Best Budget

Viski 500 mL Lead-Free Crystal Cocktail Mixing Glass

Viski Cocktail Mixing Glass 17 Oz. Crystal Pitcher Thick Base Design Bartending Glasses - Barware Essentials

Credit: Amazon

$31

$25 at Amazon View on Walmart $85 at Macy's

Pros

Affordable
Heavy base
Great for beginners

Cons

Average quality

This mixing glass by barware brand Viski offers all of the same key selling points as its more high-end Yarai counterpart but at half the price, making it a great option for those just getting into home bartending. (Or, bar owners looking to cut the cost of replacing pricey Yarais.) In comparison to its counterpart, however, this particular glass is of average quality, but that might be just right for your needs.

As far as determining whether or not a cocktail should be stirred, Haley Forest, U.S. brand ambassador for cult-favorite Italian liqueur Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto, breaks it down in simple terms: “Stirring is a method of chilling and diluting a drink without adding aeration—by using a classic mixing spoon, you’re able to slide along the edge of the glass and move the contents without chipping the ice or adding any extra air. Think about the difference between a daiquiri and a martini: The daiquiri practically bubbles from the glass, while the martini should be like a still lake.”

Capacity: 17 ounces (1 to 2 drinks) | Material: Lead-free crystal | Dishwasher-Safe: No

Best Custom

Amehla Co. Handblown Seamless Plain Cocktail Mixing Glass

Cocktail Mixing Glass with Seamless and Handblown Construction - Old Fashioned Bar Mixer Glass - Plain Design

Credit: Amazon

$24 at Amazon

Pros

Heavy base
Handmade
Customizable

Cons

Slightly fragile

While the classic Yarai pattern has its distinct charm, some prefer a more simple design such as this handblown seamless (and rather minimalist) mixing glass by barware brand Amehla Co. With the hallmark features of any quality mixing glass—a heavy base, good clarity and free of any seams that you’d find on a machine-made piece—and clocking in at less than $25, it’s no wonder that this vessel is an online bestseller.

You can also opt to have your mixing glass engraved, which is always a nice touch, whether it’s a gift or a unique piece for your own collection. Just handle it with care; even though it's safe for the dishwasher, it's slightly fragile.

Capacity: 18 ounces (1 to 2 drinks) | Material: Lead-free crystal | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

Related: The Best Cocktail Shakers

Best Metal

Final Touch Double-Wall Stainless Steel Yarai Mixing Pitcher

Credit: Amazon

View on Amazon View on Walmart

Pros

Double-walled
Durable
High-quality

Cons

Industrial look

According to Naomi Schimek, bar director for Soulmate in Los Angeles, a bartender's goal should be to always serve a cocktail to guests as cold as is scientifically possible. "It’s all about using a vessel that will either contribute the most thermal energy to the cocktail as it is being created or pull the least amount from it,” she explains.

“Currently, I’m using a stainless-steel, double-walled mixing tin created in the image of a glass Yarai. Another plus is that these do not break, [whereas] Yarai-type mixing glassware inevitably will in a high-volume bar, and it can get pricey replacing them,” says Schimek. This particular mixing tin is durable and high quality—two attributes in its favor—but sports a bit of an industrial look that's not as aesthetically pleasing as some of the others.

Capacity: 17 ounces (1 to 2 drinks) | Material: Stainless steel | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes; top rack

Related: The Best Cocktail Glasses

Best Decorative

Cocktail Kingdom Berry Wall Footed Mixing Glass

Berry Wall Footed Mixing Glass - 500ml (17oz)

Credit: Amazon

$50 at Amazon View on Cocktail Kingdom

Pros

Unique design
High-quality
Great for hosting

Cons

Expensive
Somewhat fragile

The term “conversation piece” hardly does justice to this unique and stunning mixing glass by cocktail legend David Wondrich, an exclusive piece for Cocktail Kingdom.

This rose-tinted footed mixing glass is just the kind of barware you keep on display when not in use, ready to bust out for presentation when hosting, or simply when you feel like stirring yourself a drink or two. (The glass can hold up to two drinks at a time.) Named for 19th-century socialite and cocktail enthusiast Evander Berry Wall, stirred cocktails don’t get much more fabulous than this. It's made of high-quality lead-free crystal. Just handle it with care, as this expensive piece is somewhat fragile.

Capacity: 17 ounces (1 to 2 drinks) | Material: Lead-free crystal | Dishwasher-Safe: No

Related: The Best Bar Sets

Best Large Format

Cocktail Kingdom Extra Large Stemmed Mixing Glass

Credit: Cocktail Kingdom

$57 at Amazon View on Cocktail Kingdom

Pros

Sturdy glass
Attractive design
Thick handle

Cons

Glass isn't tempered

Perhaps the time will come for you to make a whole host of cocktails at once. When it does, this mixer will come in particularly handy. It holds up to four cocktails at one moment for high-efficiency drink-making. (Try batching cocktails for added efficiency.)

The thick-stemmed handle allows you to stabilize the mixing glass with your hand while stirring. The sturdy glass makes this piece resistant to drops and slips. While the glass is oversized, the elongated shape and sophisticated appeal make it a great showpiece for the top of your bar. We wish the glass was tempered, but this isn't necessarily a deal breaker.

Capacity: 25 ounces (up to 4 cocktails) | Material: Glass | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

Cocktail Kingdom Large Format — Liquor.com

Best Set

Estelle Colored Glass Handblown Rocks Glasses

Credit: Food52

View on West Elm $205 at Nordstrom

Pros

Handmade and sturdy
Visually appealing
Multipurpose

Cons

Expensive

For those who prefer to keep things simple (but still visually appealing), it’s entirely possible to get away with stirring certain cocktails directly in a nice, solid, rocks glass, skipping the middleman altogether.

“If I’m making [simple classics] like a Negroni or Old Fashioned, I’ll honestly just build them in the glass they’re being served in and stir it down from there,” says Forest. Artisanal glassware company Estelle Colored Glass is quickly becoming a favorite among drinks professionals and enthusiasts, and investing in high-quality rocks glasses is worth every penny.

This set is handblown in Poland, with each glass featuring a nicely weighted base and an ultra-fine rim. The high price might be offputting for some.

Capacity: 1 drink each | Material: Glass | Dishwasher-Safe: No

Best Splurge

Bull in China The Flagship

Credit: Bull in China

View on Etsy View on Bullinchinapdx.com

Pros

Handmade
Visually stunning
High-quality

Cons

Expensive

This stunning, handmade mixing glass is a go-to for Stephen Kurpinsky, the U.S. brand ambassador for Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur. It's a little more than the others, but a worthy investment if you’re serious about your drinks.

This particular mixing glass is designed to take serious use, whether you're an avid home bartender or an industry professional. It can withstand swings in temperature without cracking, along with runs through the dishwasher.

Kurpinsky offers a few tips for making the most of your purchase: “I always start with a frozen mixing glass, as well as chilled glassware. It's also best to use ice as cold as possible, fresh from the freezer, protected from odors or taste contamination with whatever might be in your freezer.

“I prefer to use larger ice cubes with a larger surface area, or large cubes that are broken into pieces to expose the coldest center of the ice cubes. Also, you should fill the mixing glass to the top with ice before stirring—not having enough ice will make it hard to get optimum dilution."

Capacity: 1 to 3 drinks (21 ounces) | Material: Glass | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

Related: The Best Cocktail Mixers

Final Verdict

Our pick for the best overall cocktail glass is Cocktail Kingdom’s Yarai Mixing Glass. It's somewhat of a benchmark in the bartending industry, thanks to its quality, look, and feel. Our favorite for those on a budget is the Viski Cocktail Mixing Glass, which is made from lead-free crystal and comes in at about half the price of Cocktail Kingdom's.

What to Look For in a Cocktail Mixing Glass

Type

The ideal mixing glass depends on its main intended use. If you’re working in a high-volume cocktail bar, then a metal vessel might be the best option given its durability and ability to chill drinks more quickly than glass. Glass vessels are more classic, nostalgic, and objectively nicer to look at. They also tend to feature a weighted base, which prevents the vessel from tipping over during use; these work well in cocktail bars, high-volume or not, but the risk of breaking (no matter how thick the glass) is greater than that of a metal stirring vessel. This, in turn, means more money spent to buy replacements. Home bartenders, though, can get away with either style—it just comes down to personal preference.

Design

Most cocktail mixing glasses are cylindrical, though old-school styles are footed, with a more rounded bowl atop a stemmed pedestal. The latter is an elegant way to serve stirred drinks and can easily blend into your décor when not in use, but it is safe to say that the classic and more standard cylinder shape is a bit more practical for everyday use.

Features

In general, mixing vessels are relatively straightforward—there's not a whole lot of room for frills, so when it comes to features, there are only a few main things to consider. For example, what is a mixing vessel made of, and how durable does that make it? Is it etched with a design, or is it on the minimalist side? If it’s metal, is it insulated with double walls? Can it be put in the dishwasher? If it helps, ask yourself these questions and list your non-negotiables before shopping.

FAQs

What is the best size for a cocktail mixing glass?

It depends on your needs, but many can accommodate 15 to 18 ounces, which should be large enough for about two drinks. If you need something larger, however, plenty of manufacturers make ones that can make up to four drinks at a time, which is really helpful if your batch making cocktails for a party or multiple people.

Can I muddle ingredients in a cocktail mixing glass?

Technically, yes—however, not many stirred drinks call for any ingredients to be muddled (don’t let the ‘80s fool you). There is one exception, however: the Wisconsin Old Fashioned, although this cocktail can easily be made directly in your glass.

Can mixing glasses be used for hot liquids?

This depends entirely on the material. However, there really aren’t any obvious scenarios in which you’d be using hot liquids to make stirred drinks because the main point of stirring a cocktail is to chill and dilute. If you’re interested in making, say, a Hot Toddy, you can do so directly in the mug you’ll be sipping it from.

How do I best clean a cocktail mixing glass?

Before you purchase a mixing vessel, be sure to check if it’s a dishwasher-safe piece. This will dictate whether you should clean it by hand or place it in the dishwasher. If your mixing vessel is dishwasher-safe, it’s generally a good idea to place it on the top rack only.

Why Trust Liquor.com?

Céline Bossart is a veteran wine, spirits, and cocktail writer based in New York. Over the years, her glassware and barware collections have gotten somewhat out of control, and she’s seen it all. Generally, you can find her stirring drinks in a plain, generously sized mixing glass, which she also enjoys using as a vase on occasion.

Kate Dingwall is an experienced spirits writer and glassware collector. She has been writing about the bar and spirits world for five years, from the best glassware to the most spirited tomes.

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