The right glass makes a drink taste better: its shape controls how much aroma reaches your nose, how fast bubbles fade and how long ice lasts. This guide covers every common drink, from red wine to espresso martinis, and the glass that suits each one.
The quick answer: which glass for which drink
| Drink | Best glass | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Full-bodied red (Cabernet, Malbec, Rioja) | Bordeaux glass | Tall bowl lets the wine breathe |
| Light red (Pinot Noir) | Burgundy glass | Wide bowl gathers delicate aromas |
| White and rosé | White wine glass | Smaller bowl keeps it cool |
| Champagne and Prosecco | Flute or tulip | Narrow shape holds the bubbles |
| Port, sherry, liqueurs | Small stemmed glass | Small serves, concentrated aroma |
| Whisky neat | Tulip tasting glass | Funnels aroma to the nose |
| Whisky on the rocks, Old Fashioned | Rocks (DOF) tumbler | Wide base for ice |
| Brandy and cognac | Balloon or snifter | Warmed by the hand |
| Gin and tonic, spritz | Copa or balloon | Room for ice, tonic and garnish |
| Lager and bitter | Pint or tankard | Classic British serve |
| Craft beer and IPA | Tulip or IPA glass | Holds the head and hop aroma |
| Martini, espresso martini | Martini glass or coupe | Stem keeps chilled drinks cold |
| Shots | Shot glass (25ml or 35ml) | Matches UK spirit measures |
Wine glasses: why bowl shape matters
Wine is mostly smelled rather than tasted, so the bowl does most of the work. A bigger bowl gives the wine more surface to meet the air, which softens tannins and opens up the aroma.
For big reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Rioja, choose a tall Bordeaux glass like the Edge Bordeaux Glass (640ml). For lighter, perfumed reds such as Pinot Noir, a wide Burgundy glass like the Edge Burgundy Glass (730ml) catches more of the fragrance. Fill either only to the widest point of the bowl, roughly a third full.
White wines and rosé suit a smaller bowl, such as the Allegra White Wine Glass (350ml). Less air keeps the wine fresh and cool for longer, so pour little and often. Browse every style in our Red Wine Glasses and White Wine Glasses collections, or read our deeper guide to wine glasses for different types of wine.
Champagne and Prosecco: flute, tulip or coupe?
A tall, narrow flute keeps bubbles lively for longest, which is why it is the go-to for Prosecco and celebrations. Try the Edge Champagne Flute (220ml).
Many sommeliers now pour fine Champagne into a tulip or white wine glass to release more aroma. The wide, shallow coupe looks glamorous but loses fizz quickly, so it suits cocktails and toasts better than slow sipping. See Champagne Glasses, Prosecco Glasses and Champagne Coupes & Saucers.
Port, sherry and liqueurs
After-dinner drinks are served in small measures, so a small glass keeps the aroma concentrated and the serve looking generous. The Claudia Liqueur Glass (50ml) is ideal for liqueurs, and a small stemmed wine glass works well for port and sherry. Shop the full range in Port, Sherry & Liqueur Glasses.
Whisky glasses: neat or on the rocks?
For tasting whisky neat, a tulip-shaped glass such as the Glencairn Whisky Tasting Glass (170ml) funnels aroma straight to your nose. For whisky with ice, a whisky and soda or an Old Fashioned, a heavy-based rocks tumbler is best; the Churchill DOF Crystal Tumbler (310ml) is a favourite.
Shop Whisky Glasses, Old Fashioned & Rocks Glasses and Spirit Decanters.
Brandy and cognac
A short-stemmed brandy balloon sits in the palm, so your hand gently warms the spirit and lifts its aroma. Our Brandy Balloon Glass (550ml) is the classic shape. See Brandy Glasses.
Gin glasses: copa or highball?
The Spanish-style copa or balloon glass has become the British G&T glass. Its large bowl holds plenty of ice, keeps the drink colder for longer and leaves room for garnish; try the Primeur Balloon Gin Glass (680ml), which also makes a great Aperol spritz glass. A tall highball is the slimmer, traditional alternative. Shop Gin Glasses, Spritz & Balloon Glasses and Highball Glasses.
Beer glasses
Lager and bitter are at home in a nonic pint glass like the Nonic Pint Beer Glass (570ml) or a dimpled tankard. Craft beers and IPAs show off their aroma and head in a tulip or stemmed glass such as the Murray Stemmed Beer Glass (460ml). Shop Pint & Beer Glasses, IPA Beer Glasses and Glass Tankards.
Cocktail glasses
- Martini glass: martinis and cosmopolitans; the stem keeps your hand off the chilled drink. Try the Enoteca Martini Glass (220ml).
- Coupe: espresso martinis, daiquiris and sours, such as the Hepburn Coupe Glass (200ml).
- Highball: mojitos, Tom Collins and long mixed drinks, such as the Classic Highball Glass (300ml).
- Rocks tumbler: Negronis and Old Fashioneds.
- Margarita glass: the Krosno Margarita Glass (270ml) for frozen and classic margaritas.
See every shape in Cocktail Glasses, Martini Glasses and Espresso Martini & Coupe Glasses.
Shot glasses
UK spirit measures are 25ml or 35ml, so pick a shot glass to match your measure, such as the Conical Shot Glass (35ml). Shop Shot Glasses.
If you only buy one set
An all-purpose wine glass handles red, white and even sparkling wine well. The Refine All Purpose Glasses (440ml, set of 6) are a smart first buy; add flutes and tumblers as you entertain more. Running a pub, bar or restaurant? See our Bar & Restaurant Glassware.
FAQs
Does the glass really change the taste?
Yes. The shape changes how much aroma reaches your nose and how fast a drink warms or goes flat, and aroma makes up most of what we taste.
Can I drink red wine from a white wine glass?
You can, but a larger bowl lets red wine breathe and usually tastes smoother.
What glass is best for Prosecco?
A flute keeps the bubbles longest; a tulip glass gives more aroma.
How full should a wine glass be?
About a third full, up to the widest part of the bowl, so there is room to swirl.
Ready to build your collection? Browse our full Wine Glasses, Whisky Glasses and Cocktail Glasses ranges, or pick up a gift-ready set from Glass Gift Sets.