How much does choosing the right drinking glass matter? Yes, a mug that holds coffee can also be used to hold wine, beer, a cocktail, or juice. And yes, sometimes it’s fun to drink wine from a squat little vintage juice glass. But types of drinking glasses are designed for specific purposes and beverages so that you’ll get the most enjoyment from your drink.
Below we’ll dive into four types of drinking glasses, and also discuss a few more styles for good measure. Which will you add to your collection?
Why Using the Right Glassware Matters
Whether their shape enhances an aroma or comes with a stem to prevent the drink from warming, drinking glass design choices are made with intention. Choosing the right type of drinking glass for your beverage can make a big difference in your beverage enjoyment.
How to Choose the Right Type of Glass for Your Needs
Which types of drinking glass you need depends on the contents you’ll pour inside. You should also consider the occasion—are these drinking glasses for everyday use, or a special celebration? Do you like the sleek, modern look, or do your tastes skew vintage chic? As you’ll see below, our selection of glassware works well for both casual and formal settings, with both a minimal, classic design.
4 Types of Drinking Glasses Recommended for Every Bar
There’s a whole world of drinking glasses out there. Below, we’ll go through a few staple styles.
Red Wine Glasses
- Crystal Wine Glasses
- Red · 4-Pack
- $99
Red wines tend to boast lots of flavor and aroma, so they need a big, bold glass to give them plenty of space to breathe. When the wine is exposed to oxygen, or aerated, it opens up the whole flavor, smoothing out bitter or astringent notes from the tannins and bringing forth a variety of flavors.
Red Wine Glasses usually feature larger bowls and wider brims than white wine glasses, a design choice that also lets the drinker swirl the wine inside the glass to more effectively aerate the wine.
White Wine Glasses
- Crystal Wine Glasses
- White · 4-Pack
- $99
Compared to red wine, white wines don’t need as much aeration, so their bowls are smaller. A smaller surface area also helps the wine stay cooler, longer. White Wine Glasses typically come with longer stems, too, which help keep your hands farther from the bowl (and thus prevent warm hands from warming up the wine as quickly). To read more about the differences between red and white wine glasses, check out our deep dive on the subject.
Stemless Wine Glasses
- Stemless Crystal Wine Glasses
- 16 oz · 4 Glasses
- $69
You’ll find stemless wine glasses made specifically for red and white wines, but we’re pleased to offer a universal style, meant for reds, whites, rosés, or even cider, beer, cocktails or your favorite non-alcoholic drink. (They’re especially nice if you’re perhaps a bit clumsy and worry about tipping over a stemmed glass!) Just like our red and white wine glasses, our Stemless Crystal Wine Glasses are made from German quartz, making for a lightweight but balanced drinking experience.
Drinking Glasses
- Drinking Glasses
- 15 oz · 4 Glasses
- $69
Drinking glasses feature a plain, basic style that makes them (nearly) infinitely versatile. They can usually hold about 15 ounces of liquid. Our Drinking Glasses work well for anything from water to a smoothie, or even cocktails. A key feature worth noting is the thin lip makes for easy, mess-free sipping. (Have you ever drank from a glass with a weirdly thick lip? It can be awkward!) And even though they’re meant for everyday use, our drinking glasses don’t skimp on style.
Other Types of Glassware
If you’ve ever poked through an antique shop with a killer glass selection, then you know there are many more styles of glasses to explore. Generally, each category of drink—cocktails, beer, wine, brandies, and so on—have their own subcategory of glass. For cocktails, you’ll see highball, collins, rocks, cocktail, martini, and (a personal favorite) coupe glasses, for example.
Similarly, for every style of beer, there’s a style of glass to serve it in, whether ales, pilsners, lagers, stouts, or beyond. Prefer champagne or cava? You might want a few champagne flutes or coupes to present those bubblies. And of course, there’s the shot glass and other tiny glasses meant for liquor, liqueur, shooters, or even just measuring out an ingredient for a cocktail.
Ready to Shop?
- Glassware Sets
- 12-Piece
- $199$267Save $68(25% off)
As you can see, once you enter the world of glassware, you’ll find that drinking glasses come in a wide variety. To get started, take a look through our Glassware Collection.
The types of drinking glasses that you choose depends on your style, budget, and your drinking preferences. Above all, we recommend choosing well-constructed glassware that looks good and will last for years to come—both qualities that are definitely worthy of a cheers.
