The Basics Bar Tools

We Tested the Best Martini Glasses—Here Are the Results

The Riedel Nick & Nora Cocktail Glass landed on top.

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Best Martini Glasses

Liquor / Chloe Jeong

Vodka or gin, dirty or dry—no matter how you like your Martini, all will end up in the same Martini glass. But nowadays, these glasses aren't confined to the traditional V-shaped style. "There are no hard rules here," says Heather Perkins, bar manager of DiAnoia's Eatery in Pittsburgh. There are rounded Nick and Nora glasses, cut crystal glasses, and vintage-inspired coupes, and all will do an excellent job of holding a Martini.

That said, there is a lot of glassware out there to weed through and not all vessels are created equal. Luckily, for you, we've put some top picks to the test! We've done extensive research by home-testing our favorites. Some of the attributes in which we rated each item include the size, capacity, material and thickness of the rim. We also looked at the feel of the glass in the hand, whether or not it could contain garnishes easily, and the overall aesthetics of the glass.

Based on our extensive home testing, we chose the Riedel Nick & Nora Cocktail Glass as our top pick. This bartender-favorite has an elegant silhouette and is the ideal size for a Martini resulting in a perfect wash line. The elongated lip is whisper-thin and allows for an excellent Martini drinking experience, all at a reasonable price.

For an in-depth look at all of our favorite Martini glasses, read on.

Best Overall

Riedel Nick and Nora Cocktail Glasses

4.8
Riedel-nick-and-nora-cocktail-glasses

Amazon

Pros
  • Thoughtful construction

  • Inexpensive

  • Crafted for cocktails

Cons
  • Machine-made glass

  • Slight seam

"Riedel’s Nick and Nora glasses are my personal favorite Martini glass," says Adam Rowe, bar manager of Leon’s Full Service in Decatur, Ga. These glasses were made in collaboration with spirits expert Zane Harris, after years of research to create the perfect glass for every cocktail. 

With a curved silhouette and an elongated lip, these glasses are a top choice for bartenders, as the liquid is less likely to spill in the glass. They're also machine-made (read: inexpensive, but still quality) and designed to have the liquid hit your mid-palate in every sip without having to tilt your head back. 

Our at-home research found that these glasses held a standard Martini with a perfect wash line. We found the lip on the glass to be really well crafted. It's whisper-thin and curved so the drink hits at the exact right place on your palate. The weight of the glass is heavy at the base, but the bowl of the coupe is light and delicate. Meaning, it's stable but still feels elegant in the hand. We loved how durable this glass is. Since these glasses are totally dishwasher safe, you can serve multiple cocktails out of these at a party and never worry about breakage. And the glass is small enough that garnishes perch perfectly on the edge.

Good to Know:
When picking a Martini glass, “Pay attention to how it feels in your hand,” says Perkins. “Just like Goldilocks—[it] can't be too big and certainly can't be too small to hold the liquid gold itself without spilling.”

Reidel Nick and Nora Cocktail Glass

Liquor/Kate Dingwall

Capacity: 4 ounces | Material: Machine-blown glass | Height: 6 ounces | Number of glasses: 2

Nude Savage Coupe Glasses

4.8
NUDE GLASS Savage Coupe Glass, Set Of 2

Bloomingdale's

Pros
  • High design, low cost

  • Delicate and elegant

Cons
  • Incredibly long stem is easy to break

"What I love about the Savage Coupe is that it is a modern twist on the classic coupe," says Mark Addison, author of "Cocktail Chameleon." "With its elegant, elongated stem and exaggerated minimalist silhouette, it makes an ideal vessel for sophisticated-looking cocktails as well as sparkling beverages. And the fact that it's crafted with traditional glassmaking techniques from lead-free crystal with an affordable price tag makes it even more appealing." Designed by renowned bartender Rémy Savage, these coupes from Nude may look delicate, but they're built to last.

Our at-home tester noted that while testing this (nearly) 8-ounce glass with a traditional Martini recipe, it looked a little sparse with just 4 ounces in it. But, perhaps you may need an excuse to make a double Martini! While testing, the glass felt luxurious in the hand—the extra long stem felt akin to a Zalto wine glass. Our tester found this elegant coupe to be a showstopper.

The tester noted that the lip was paper-thin, leading the drink directly to the palate. Garnishes were tricky with such a thin lip and elegant design, our tester didn't want to place any old citrus wheel on the rim. However, she did love that the high-end design of the glass pushed her to get more creative with garnishes—fans of stone fruit slices and twirls of cucumber, anyone?

What Our Testers Say

"This might be my new favorite cocktail glass. The stem is miles long and feels like it's pulled out of a Mad Men scene. These aren't everyday glasses, but for making a special-occasion drink, these feel celebratory!" Kate Dingwall, product tester

Nude Savage Martini Coupe

Liquor/Kate Dingwall

Capacity: 7.5 ounce | Material: Lead-free crystal | Height: 7 inches | Number of glasses: 2

Read Next: The Best Vermouths

Best Stemless

JoyJolt Aqua Vitae Martini Glasses

4.7
Joyjolt-aqua-vitae-martini-glasses

Amazon

Pros
  • Sturdy

  • Unique design

Cons
  • Different design/unorthodox

  • Not stemmed

Built to withstand any accidents, JoyJolt’s stemless Martini glasses are crafted from durable, dishwasher-safe, lead-free crystal. The two octagonal glasses have a unique, off-base design with an ergonomically curved edge, so they will nestle comfortably in your hand. The 8-ounce glasses also come in an embossed box—making them perfect for gifting to the Martini lover in your life.

According to our at-home tester, these glasses seem to sit in a realm between a rocks glass and a Martini glass. They have a generous capacity, but the stemless design means if you pour a drink below the wash line, it doesn't look out of place. These glasses are thick, but our tester didn't mind because it felt durable. The angular corners let garnishes perch on the side with ease. Sure, it's not tall and elegant like some of the glasses on the list, but it's perfect for sipping a Martini post-work or in a more casual setting.

Note that the stem of a Martini glass helps keep hand heat away from the chilled liquid, so be cautious about holding this glass for too long. 

What Our Testers Say

"I love this glass more than I thought I would! I'm not usually a fan of stemless glasses—I love the drama and elegance of a stem—but for an easy, everyday drink, these are surprisingly exciting. I love the angular design of the base - it's a nice conversation starter, and it serves double duty as a way to protect your Martini from your hand."

Kate Dingwall, product tester

JoyJolt Martini Glasses

Liquor/Kate Dingwall

Capacity: 8.1 ounces | Material: Lead-free crystal | Height: 3.75 | Number of glasses: 2

Read Next: The Best Gins

Best Contemporary

Schott Zwiesel Tritan Pure Martini Glasses

4.5
Schott-zwiesel-tritan-pure-martini-glasses

Amazon

Pros
  • Huge capacity

  • Elegant presence

  • Set of 4

Cons
  • Taller and larger than most martini glasses

  • Quite delicate

This Schott Zwiesel glass channels the classic design of a V-shaped Martini glass with a contemporary approach. The bowl of the glass is suspended on a whisper-thin stem, with an angular lip to prevent sloshing or spilling. While the glass has an elongated, sophisticated silhouette, it’s dishwasher safe and constructed from chip-resistant glassware.

During at-home testing, we discovered that this glass was quite large for a single Martini. At over 11 ounces of capacity, you could realistically fit a double. If you're a fan of a full serving of olives in your glass, the larger capacity of this glass allows for a full bounty of brine and olive.

As a cocktail glass, however, it's an excellent size for larger, egg white cocktails or cocktails that require a larger capacity. It's tall and elegant, and our tester appreciated how light it felt in weight and design. She also thought the thickness was perfect—thick enough to not worry about it breaking, but thin enough it's still an elevated sipping experience. The larger capacity also guarantees that there's plenty of room for garnishes.

What Our Testers Say

"I love the glass. It has the slant of a traditional v-shaped Martini glass, and the lip of a coupe, so you're not sloshing and spilling about like you would be with those retro v-shaped glasses. It's got an elegant aesthetic and the clarity is gorgeous."Kate Dingwall, product tester

Scott Zweisel

Liquor.com / Kate Dingwall

Capacity: 11.6 ounce | Material: Glass | Height: 7.1 inch | Number of glasses: 4

Read Next: The Best Cocktail Books, According to Experts

Best V-Shaped

Marquis by Waterford Crosby Martini Glasses

4.5
Marquis-by-waterford-crosby-martini-glasses

Amazon

Pros
  • Surprisingly durable

  • Looks expensive

Cons
  • Heavy

  • Very old school (though that may be your taste!)

V-shaped glasses are not always ideal for Martinis as they're top-heavy, but Waterford’s crystal glasses are an exception. Waterford Crystal is one of the most prestigious glassware options out there. While original Waterford pieces are costly, the brand’s Marquis line offers the same quality at a lower price. Made with genuine crystal, these glasses feature the brand’s signature geometric grid-cut pattern.

Our at-home tester found that these glasses held a 6-ounce cocktail with ample room for space. She found them to be heavy, but with the appeal of any cut crystal glass—it felt weighted, in a luxurious way.

During testing, we also found the lip to be thick—also the result (and appeal) of cut crystal. However, if you're someone who really wants the nuanced flavors of gin or vodka to shine in your Martini, the lip is on these glasses may feel too clunky.

Note that it's recommended to wash these glasses by hand.

What Our Testers Say

"I find there's a time and place for these glasses. I love breaking them out at parties when someone wants a Martini. Cut crystal is durable—I've had friends drop these glasses after a Martini or two and they survived! Plus, they look incredibly suave—they're the kind of glass an Old Hollywood actress would have around."

Kate Dingwall, product tester

Marquis Waterford

Liquor.com / Kate Dingwall

Capacity: 7 ounces | Material: Crystalline | Height: 7.1inches | Number of glasses: 2

Best Budget

BarConic Coupe Glass

4.4
Barconic-coupe-glass

Amazon

Pros
  • Affordable

  • Durable

Cons
  • Evident seams

  • Thick glass

"For my money, I would never want to drink a Martini out of anything but a coupe glass," says Jordan Johnson, head bartender at The Register. "As a bartender who is always thinking about the beauty of the finished product, the coupe glass affords a smooth curvature in its lines as well as a slightly tapered mouth. This gives you the ability to position the garnish closer to the center of the glass, which keeps all aromatic elements of the garnish closer to home." They're also ideal for weddings, celebrations and other special events.

According to our at-home tester, this particular iteration is an excellent entry-level option. With a 7-ounce capacity, the coupes feature a standard lip and solid pressed glass construction. The glass held a generous 6 ounces (7 technically, with room for a wash line). The glass overall was quite small and heavy, but our tester appreciated how sturdy it felt. It was not dainty and delicate like many of the other options tested. Our tester did find the lip a little thick for her liking, and it also required larger cuts in citrus to make them perch properly atop the glass.

What Our Testers Say

"For a sturdy durable coupe, this option checks off a lot of boxes. It likely won't break if you drop it, and it does a perfectly reasonable job serving Martinis, plus Champagne and other shaken cocktails. It's a solid option for a high-volume bar."Kate Dingwall, product tester

BarConic Coupe Glass

Liquor/Kate Dingwall

Capacity: 7 ounces | Material: Machine glass | Height: 5.5 inches | Number of glasses: 4

Final Verdict

After extensively testing all of our favorite Martini glasses at home, we've deemed Riedel’s Nick and Nora glass (view at Amazon) an excellent option for your 5pm Martini. It's also thoughtfully crafted for serving cocktails. It's larger than a standard Nick and Nora, and the slightly angular curve feels like a nice modern update of the vintage-inspired glass. If you want a glass with a bit more showmanship, NUDE glass’ Savage Coupe (view at Macy's) is one of the most design-forward (and still practical) glasses on the market.

Nick & Nora

Liquor.com / Kate Dingwall

Our Testing Process

All of the products featured in this list of Martini glasses have been carefully chosen by our editors and writers. We then sent each of the products directly to the writer for at-home testing. After applying a comprehensive list of methodologies—rating each item through a number of steps, and ranking them on key attributes tailored to each category—the writer provided personal feedback and captured photos of the items in use.

Some of the attributes we looked for and rated each item on included design, capacity, durability, and overall value. We took into consideration the look and feel of the glass and how well it handled a traditional Martini as well as other cocktails served up.

Related: Learn More About How We Test Products

What to Look For

Capacity

How full do you like your martinis? Keep in mind your wash line when opting for a glass. If you like a small, 3-ounce martini, choose a glass that will hold your desired amount. If you prefer a drink that is well-endowed (and remember, you’ll likely use this glass for a variety of cocktails beyond martinis!), look for one with a larger capacity. 

Marquis by Waterford Martini Glass

Liquor/Kate Dingwall

Material

Martini glasses come in two materials: glass and crystal. Crystal is pricier, but often far thinner and quite durable (consider it’s one of the toughest materials in the world!). Machine-made glass will not break the bank, but often you will get stuck with chunky seams - though the material is dishwasher-friendly!

Durability

Where are you serving your martinis? If you’re stocking up for a bar or a high-octane environment, a more durable one like BarConics’ party-ready option will last through the night. Glasses like Schott Zwiesel or NUDE are elegant, ideal for special occasions or elevated happy hours. They’re a bit of a pain to wash, but well worth it for the spectacle. 

FAQs

Is a Martini made with gin or vodka?

It’s your choice! Traditionally a Martini is made with gin, though you can opt for vodka, or a split-base Martini.

 How do you chill a Martini glass?

There are two ways! First, keep a Martini glass in your fridge. Alternatively, while you’re building your Martini in a shaker or mixing tin, fill your Martini glass with ice to chill it down.

How full should my Martini be?

Your Martini should be filled to cover 85 - 95% of the glass. This will ensure the glass is full, while still having room for sloshing and spilling. 

Why Trust Liquor.com?

Kate Dingwall is an experienced wine and spirits writer with a concerningly large glassware collection. She loves a Gibson Martini.

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