Buzz
Every martini order or preparation involves a series of decisions. Gin or vodka? (Opt for gin; vodka turns it into a Kangaroo.) Shaken or stirred? (Stirred is ideal unless you prefer a frothy, diluted drink.) Olive or lemon twist? Dry, classic, or dirty? Additionally, the choice of glassware plays a role. While bars often decide for you, setting up your home bar allows you to personalize this aspect.
The three primary glass options are coupes, Nick & Nora glasses, and the traditional martini glass. While personal taste is key, knowing the background and design nuances of each can guide you in selecting the ideal glass for your martini experience.
The origins and evolution of the martini glass
Two key elements influence one's opinion of the v-shaped martini glass: perception and physics. Depending on your drinking era, you might see it as a nostalgic symbol of a more elegant time, or it might evoke memories of the bold, colorful cocktails of the 1990s, like lemon drops and appletinis.
However, the martini glass wasn’t always reserved for martinis. As reported by PUNCH, it debuted at the 1925 Paris Exhibition as a modern, art deco-inspired alternative to the coupe. Initially, it was often used for champagne, a trend popularized by its appearances in classic films.
The martini, along with gin, gained significant popularity during the Prohibition era. The angular design trend in architecture and home decor further propelled the martini glass into the spotlight, solidifying its pairing with the drink. Today, it’s linked to the ad executives of the 1960s, Wall Street traders of the late 1980s and early 1990s, and the cocktail revival of the mid-2000s. Regardless of the era, its aesthetic appeal is undeniable. The martini glass mirrors the drink’s essence: sleek, timeless, and slightly intense.
The experience of sipping from a martini glass
Using a traditional martini glass can be a bit messy due to its wide bowl and angled sides, though the degree of spillage depends on the glass's size and slope. I own a few vintage martini glasses that are overly large and impractical, but I keep them for their visual charm rather than functionality. (They feature tiny embossed olives on skewers as decoration.)
A narrower martini glass with a fine rim offers a refined experience. Its delicate feel against the lips and gently sloped sides allow the cocktail to glide smoothly onto the palate. It strikes a balance between the coupe's flatness and the Nick & Nora's width, capturing the gin's botanical aromas while ensuring a seamless drinking experience.
Top-rated martini glasses in various sizes include:
Milan 7-ounce martini glasses, set of 4
Glassique Cadeau 5-ounce martini glasses, set of 6
Lenox Tuscany 10-ounce martini glasses, set of 4
This glass also distinguishes seasoned martini drinkers from novices, requiring a level of finesse and poise. Mastering the art of sipping without spilling is a sign of a seasoned drinker, and using a martini glass is akin to cycling without the stability provided by the rounded coupe or the deeper Nick & Nora.
When selecting a martini glass, opt for ones with sharper angles and carefully consider the size. A four-ounce glass is ideal for experienced drinkers, as a well-crafted martini typically doesn't exceed three or four ounces. Avoid filling the glass to the brim to prevent spills. (This glass from John Jenkins is my personal favorite, though it can be hard to find outside of bar supply stores, so keep an eye out for similar designs.)
The coupe glass is a versatile option for various drinks.
The coupe glass has a playful and charming history, though likely more myth than fact. Legend claims it was shaped after a breast, either Madame de Pompadour's or Marie Antoinette's, resulting in a rounded, elegant design. (Thankfully, their modest proportions kept the glass practical; a version based on my own would hold enough gin to be lethal.)
Top-rated coupe glasses that may or may not echo the curves of historical figures:
Cocktail Kingdom® Leopold® 6-ounce coupe glass, set of 4
Viper Kitchen 5-ounce coupe glasses, set of 4
PURE MORA 7-ounce coupe glasses, set of 4
Say Ho Hum 4-5-ounce coupe glasses, set of 6
As noted by APOLLO magazine, the coupe was initially the preferred glass for Champagne, especially when the French preferred less effervescence in their wine. Its wide rim minimized bubbles while allowing for easy and enthusiastic drinking. (The design itself traces back to ancient times, with some accounts placing its origins as early as the 4th century BC.)
No matter the exact origin of its shape, the coupe is the most versatile glass for any home bar. It’s perfect for martinis, margaritas, daiquiris, and Manhattans. While I could extol its virtues, my go-to bartender, Dan Casto, has already done so, so here’s a recap of his insights:
When crafted by a skilled mixologist, cocktails arrive perfectly balanced, diluted, and chilled. The careful addition of water through shaking or stirring ensures the ideal mix, so you don’t want to disrupt it with extra ice or warm it with your hands—hence the stem. A slightly larger coupe than your drink’s volume prevents spills and enhances aromatics, whether from the spirits, a citrus twist, an absinthe rinse, or a few drops of
orange blossom water
(a delightful addition to sours).
Choosing the right coupe involves considering its dimensions and shape. Like breasts, coupes vary in width, curve, and depth, all of which influence the drinking experience. A deeper bowl, when not overfilled, captures aromas better than a shallow one, but too narrow a design can hinder the drink’s flow to your palate.
The Nick & Nora glass is nearly spill-proof
Though the glass is named after Nick and Nora Charles, the detective duo from the 1934 novel The Thin Man and its film adaptation, the term 'Nick & Nora glass' wasn’t coined until 1987. As reported by Vinepair, bartender Dale DeGroff named it after taking charge of the newly reopened Rainbow Room in the late 1980s.
Top-rated Nick & Nora glasses that would delight Nick and Nora:
Riedel Nick & Nora glass, set of 2 (Full disclosure: Riedel sent me a pair to try, and I love them.)
Bormioli Rocco Novecento Stemware Nick & Nora glass, set of 4
GLASSIQUE CADEAU Art Deco Nick & Nora glass, set of 4
DeGroff rejected the oversized, straight-edged martini glasses popular at the time and sought out the smaller, deeper glasses he had seen in The Thin Man and its sequels. (It’s worth noting that Nick and Nora Charles used various glass types, but DeGroff had a specific design in mind.) His passion for vintage glassware that complemented classic cocktails drove him to search through an old cocktail catalog, realizing the glass he wanted would likely need to be custom-made, as it was no longer in production. He discovered a 'Little Martini' glass in the catalog, ordered it, and dubbed it the 'Nick & Nora.' The name caught on, and now 'Nick & Nora' refers to small, tulip-shaped cocktail glasses with narrow, deep walls.
Spilling a martini is almost impossible with a Nick & Nora glass, but its advantages don’t stop there. Audrey Saunders, a protégé of DeGroff and a renowned bartender, explained to Vinepair that the glass’s narrow shape enhances the aroma and flavor of the martini:
One of its key benefits is the smaller circumference,” Saunders noted. “The tighter bowl and straighter sides, compared to a traditional martini glass, amplify the aromas in aperitif cocktails, thanks to its upright walls, which elevate the drink’s overall flavor.
The design also helps maintain the cocktail’s temperature longer, as less of the liquid is exposed to the surrounding air.
Honestly, there’s no 'incorrect' glass for a martini. I’ve enjoyed them in oversized wine glasses (when indulging in an 'inverted martini') or in rocks glasses (for a 50/50). While a narrow bowl might enhance the aromatics slightly, I’ve savored equally fragrant martinis in both coupes and traditional martini glasses, with no noticeable impact on flavor.
Ultimately, it’s about how you want to set up your bar and the atmosphere you aim to create. The versatile coupe offers great value, while the Nick & Nora adds a vintage touch to a variety of cocktails. That said, there’s no rule against serving a margarita in a martini glass—it’s a bold move, and martinis are, after all, a bold drink.
