by Sean Brison |
Last Updated: May 25, 2022 If you’re in the habit of sipping great cocktails or fine champagne, you need a complimentary glass to match. And nothing showcases a boozy beverage better than a coupe. But which coupe glasses are best? Have a look at this curated list. Our guide serves up thirteen classy renditions that’ll make you feel like you’re imbibing with the Great Gatsby himself.
1. Cocktail Kingdom Leopold Coupe
Cocktail Kingdom is a leading manufacturer and distributor of professional barware. This 6 oz. glass maintains its elegance while durable enough for commercial use. Transport yourself back in time to smokey dives found in vintage Hollywood films with your next libation. Comes in a pack of six.
2. Luminarc Barcraft Coupe Cocktail Glass
Ditch the awkward shaped watercrafts that look more like you’re trying to display a funky artware piece. A glass needs to feel comfortable when you hold it in your hand. This simple, timeless design has a 5.5 oz capacity equipped with a stable bottom and low center of gravity which makes it easier to avoid spills. Luminarc has been an established family brand for nearly 200 years.
3. Libbey Capone Speakeasy Coupe
The Libbey brand is premium stemware made in the U.S. This one features a vintage-style, diamond-cut edge with a 7 oz capacity - perfectly stylish for showing off your fancy cocktails. Be sure to check out their other drinkware sets ranging from rocks glasses, margarita glasses, and their tiki coupe collection as well.
4. Riedel Veritas Coupe Glass
Riedel is a family-owned company that’s been in existence for 300-years. They understand how a glass's shape affects the spirit's aromas and drinkability. This one blends both the appeal of a handmade with the precision of machine-made glass. Riedel is widely recognized for their revolutionary designs and varietal-specific stemware. This 8.5 oz machine-made cocktail glass is dishwasher safe.
5. Schott Zwiesel Tritan Special Champagne Saucer
Schott Zwiesel's unique Tritan crystal glass composition has made it a highly desirable product. It's 100% lead-free, made with the most environmentally sensitive technology, and stands on a 140-year tradition of the finest German glassmaking. The titanium boosts the glass's durability without feeling thick or clunky. This simple 6-piece set holds a 9.5 oz capacity and is dishwasher safe.
6. Godinger Champagne Coupe
This set of four, lead-free crystal flies in the face of simple design. The Dublin Crystal Collection is ideal for those special occasions and deserves a spot on your home bar. Godinger has been handcrafting crystal, silver, pewter, and alternative metal giftware since 1973. This coupe’s bowl is smaller than others featured here, holding only a 4 oz capacity which makes it ideal for spirit-forward cocktails.
7. Waterford Elegance Optic Belle
Waterford's been producing hand-crafted luxury crystal for over 200 years. They're steeped in Ireland’s glass-making traditions dating back to 1783. This voguish vessel has a wide bowl, a deep V plunge, and pulled stem crafted in a single elegant piece. Holds 6.7 oz volume and is lead-free.
8. Spiegelau Perfect Serve Coupette
When specialty glassware meets your modern bar, lookout. This smart, Spiegelau design employs unique refraction as if the light bends through the glass. Destined for your next craft cocktail experience with 500 years of German craftsmanship behind this artisanal brand. Curated here for the discerning drinker.
9. Crafthouse by Fortessa Tritan Crystal Coupe
Crafthouse by Fortessa is a bespoke barware line for home bartenders and would-be mixologists. This classic coupe is generous enough to hold a proper pour and serve as your bubbly drinking companion thanks to its effervescence points (meaning your drink retains the fizz longer). World Champion bartender and James Beard Award winner, Charles Joly, designed the brand to strike a balance of flair and functionality.
10. Vintage Etched Coupe by Williams Sonoma
Inspired by a glass they fell in love with at an antique fair, the hand-etched, chic decorative motif has been known to drive one to drink. Revisit those memorable holiday parties your grandparents used to throw and experience a traditional way to serve your classic cocktail or sparkling wine of choice.
11. Libbey Signature Kentfield Coupe
Highlight your retro cocktail panache with this first-rate glass. This ain't some fancy piece of stemware that's too delicate to enjoy. It’s got a flat foot, a lengthy stem (which won’t interfere with the drink’s temp), and sports a coupe bowl with a reinforced rim. The glass is dishwasher safe and BPA free.
12. Oscar Bond Vintage Needle Etched Coupe
Straight from the 1940s featuring a cupped bowl with a cloverleaf design. Perfectly compliments a silver tray setting or natural wood. Ideal for adding a bit of color to any dinner table or home bar. Perfectly proportioned to hold in your hand.
13. Algonquin Round Table Cocktail Glass
The folks at the History Company produce artifacts of cocktail and culinary culture. This gift box includes two glasses with an 8.5 oz capacity, a Round Table souvenir, and a recipe for The Matilda. Inspired by Dorothy Parker and the wise-cracking group that met at the Algonquin Hotel for lunch daily and received international attention.
Frequently Asked Questions About Coupe Glasses
Can You Serve Champagne In A Coupe Glass?
You can serve champagne in a coupe. The glass was specifically designed for that purpose in England during the 17th century.
However, there are some who disagree (the argument against serving prize champagne in a coupe is justified when considering the below factors).
Compared to champagne flutes, coupes have a wider bowl, allowing the drink to oxygenate quicker.
The more surface area you expose, the quicker your bubbles lose their fizz and coolness. It also won’t trap the aromas in the glass, which can affect the taste.
Those in favor of flutes (specifically, tulip-shaped) say the narrower rim and slimmer bowl enhance the flavors and maintain the bead (bubbles) longer.
Translation: your drink will taste better and won’t get flat.
These elements come into consideration when sipping premium champagne. High-quality glassware is what you’d want to maximize the tasting experience.
However, if you’re cracking open a $5 bottle of Brüt, don’t sweat your glass’s shape.
What Drinks Go In A Coupe Glass?
Coupes are ideal to use for drinks served ‘Up’ (chilled without ice) and sparkling wine. For cocktails, classics like the Manhattan, Negroni, or Sazerac work well.
Though, sour cocktails like the Daiquiri, Gimlet, or Bee’s Knees play nice too.
Head to our classic cocktail page for more recipe ideas.
Coupes also make fine champagne glasses or can serve as a martini glass alternative.
For the optimal chilled experience, store coupes in your freezer and remove them just before serving.
Another glass worth a look at when serving drinks ‘up,’ is the Nick and Nora.
How Many Ounces In A Coupe Glass?
The size of a traditional coupe holds between a 5.5 oz – 7 oz. capacity. Anything larger becomes excess glassware. Typically, chilled cocktails served ‘up,’ won’t exceed 6 oz.
There are glasses on this list that exceeds 7 oz. We’ve included those due to their popularity.
Some drinkers simply prefer a bigger glass and that’s okay. It comes down to personal preference. Sometimes having a bit of room decreases the chances you’ll spill the drink.
The flip side of the argument would be serving a classic cocktail in a monstrous glass looks half full and ruins the presentation.
Can You Serve A Martini In A Coupe Glass?
Yes, you can serve a Martini in a coupe glass. There’s no rule stating you must serve your chilled cocktail in a V-shaped vessel. It boils down to preference.
The biggest complaint about Martini glasses is that it’s easier to spill your drink when carrying one. There’s nothing preventing your spirit from spilling over the rim.
Alternatively, the coupe doesn’t have that problem nearly as much because of its U-shaped body and rounded inward-facing rim. This makes preserving your booze within its glass confines an uncomplicated task.
The Last Word
It was once rumored the coupe was modeled after Marie Antoinette’s left breast. Although this myth has been debunked since the glass was invented nearly 100 years before she was born.
However, supermodel Kate Moss did lend her left breast to London’s 34 Restaurant which led to creating a coupe based on her “dimensions.”
Either way, the glass has a storied history and remains a fixture in liquid culture.
Bottom line: The best coupe glasses are ones that feel comfortable in your hand.
It has survived for centuries due to its functionality. The craft cocktail revival led to its increased popularity and is the go-to cocktail glass for many a bartender.
Speaking of cocktails, as my grandfather used to say about martinis, “one’s not enough and three’s too many.”
Curious to learn more about how to spruce up your home bar? Read this.