The Best Martini Glasses

Buying Guide

There is something so elegant about the martini. Whether you have it with gin or vodka, it’s a drink that screams sophistication. However, it’s not all about the drink itself – it’s also about the vessel it comes in. The martini glass is iconic, with it’s tall and slender stem and v-shaped bowl. It’s easily recognizable, even by those who don’t like martinis.

When choosing your martini glasses, start off with the capacity. Most regular martinis are about three ounces, plus you need to have a little extra room at the top of the glass. However, if you like double or triple-sized drinks, you’re going to want to choose a martini glass with a larger capacity. Some people also have different cocktails in their martini glasses, many of which have a lot of mixers in them, so you may benefit from getting a larger glass just in case.

In terms of material, you have two options: crystal and glass. If you’re looking for something that is very durable, then crystal is a good option. However, it’s pricier compared to glass, which is important to keep in mind. This material is quite thin, so it looks and feel elegant. Glass is the more affordable option, but it is not as thin as crystal, making it look somewhat chunky in certain places. One of the biggest benefits of glass is that it is dishwasher friendly.

How many people will you be serving at one time? Martini glasses typically come in sets of two or four, though sometimes you can find sets that are larger of six to eight glasses. Consider how many people will be enjoying a drink at one time and buy enough glasses accordingly.

• The trick to making a martini taste delicious is all in the temperature. A cold drink always tastes better than a tepid one, so it’s important to chill your martini glasses prior to pouring in your drink. If you like to enjoy martinis often, keep a few glasses in your fridge at all times. This way, your glasses will be ready to go and will keep your drink at the optimal temperature while you enjoy.
• You may be tempted to hold the martini glass by the bowl; however, this will warm up your drink. Make an effort to only hold the glass by the stem, so that the heat from your hand doesn’t warm up your drink. Set it down on a table while you’re not sipping so that it retains its cold temperature.
• While martini glasses get their name from the classic beverage, that’s not the only thing you can serve in the glass. Other cocktails such as Manhattans, gimlets and vespers also go great in martini glasses. Essentially, you can serve any type of cocktail in a martini glass as long as its not served with ice. The shape of a martini glass makes for awkward placement of ice cubes in the bowl, so if you want a drink with ice, choose a different glass.