I'm incredibly particular about glassware: how it feels in my hand texturally, the balance, the glassmaking technique, and the size of the bowl,” says bartender and drinks writer Tyler Zielinski. “NUDE glassware is my top recommendation nine times out of ten because of how affordable these glasses are, given their quality." Glass is almost always the best choice for home bartenders as the material is as durable as it is sophisticated. But if you're willing to splurge, then crystal is the way to go. Beware that certain crystal coupes can be more delicate than glass. Miranda Breedlove, national director of bars for Hyatt’s lifestyle division, has a particular affinity for these funky coupes by cult-favorite Turkish glassware brand NUDE. “These Art Deco beauties are having a moment for me—I love the shape, and they’re also a joy to drink out of,” she says. “I judge a coupe based on whether or not I can walk around, do the usual hand gesture or one-armed hug with it, and not spill. This one passed the test!” (Our home tester seconds this—they’re excellent for folks who talk with their hands!) An extensive collection of Whisky related gifts for the Whisky connoisseur. Compliment your whisky collection with crystal decanters, crystal tumblers and speciality glasses Take a wedge of lime or lemon, make a small slit in the middle, and run it over the rim of the glass. Next, fill a small plate with seasoned salt — maybe that’s standard flakey salt, a spicy chili mix, or a traditional Mexican worm salt. Next, turn the glass upside down and lower it into the salt. Flip your glass around, add ice, and build your drink out as usual.

There are also materials like Tritan, a durable glass replica. The material offers all the clarity and design of glass, but without the ability to shatter. If you’re prone to breaking crystal or you like to bring your drinks into nature, Tritan is an option that suits your needs. Hold your wine by the stem, not the bowl. Holding it by the bowl will warm your wine — that detracts from all the wine’s good qualities — and leave fingerprints all over your glasses. If you hold a glass by the stem, it will allow you to swirl and aerate your wine with ease. Hold a glass by the stem by your thumb, pointer, and middle fingers, and cradle the base of the glass with your remaining fingers.Glasses is this collection include the hand made barley twist stem glass, the thistle shaped stemmed whisky glass and the tulip shaped scotch whisky glass. Beverage consultant Damon Roseberry has long been a fan of Libbey’s coupes, specifically this 8-ounce model from the brand’s Master’s Reserve collection, available mostly at wholesale. “The shallow depth, wide mouth, and long stem [make] drinks look sleek yet don’t fool a customer into believing they’re being shorted,” he notes. Crystal margarita glasses are a must-have for anyone who likes a nice margarita. The broad rim of these glasses makes it simple to salt them, while the stem keeps your drink ice without chilling your hand. You may also enjoy the beauty and durability of lead crystal in your barware with North American Crystal's crystal margarita glasses. Each scene-stealing style in our range has its own distinctive character: discover pieces with delicate stems, flared bases and smooth curves. Look out for an array of cut crystal patterns that will pair beautifully with your tableware. Opt for glasses adorned with Irish lace design etched into the surface or leaf-like forms inspired by nature to coordinate with your floral dishes. For a contemporary feel, try geometric, striped or clear crystal that offers a minimalist finish and teams seamlessly with silky white china. Royal Scot Crystal offers an extensive section of beautifully boxed stemware, barware, decanters and gift sets

Capacity: 4 ounces (Note: These are definitely larger than 4 ounces) | Height: 5 inches | Number of Glasses: 4 | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes Riedel has had over 300 years to perfect the craftsmanship of its crystal, and its Spey Whisky Tumblers combine affordability, quality, and style into one excellent whiskey glass. The name is a nod to Scotland’s River Spey, an area that is renowned for producing exceptional whiskies in the Speyside region. In homage to the river, the glass features a chic design of diamond- and wedge-cut glass in the style of Art Nouveau. Whisky, Gin and water tumblers available in all shapes and sizes in a wide selection of beautiful hand cuttings Regan Stephens is a Philadelphia-based writer and editor who has worked for nearly two decades in digital and print magazine production. She's worked on staff at People, Teen People, and Philadelphia magazines, and her writing has appeared in publications like Travel + Leisure, Fortune, and Conde Nast Traveler. She has contributed to Food & Wine for the last five years.

Crystal Cocktail Glasses

Measuring 4.75 inches tall, this oval-shaped glass can hold a little more than 21 ounces. It's the ideal environment for any wine from delicate sparkling rosé to full-bodied red wine, while not being too oversized for smaller hands. Kate Dingwall is an experienced spirits and wine writer. She has been writing about the bar and spirits world for five years. Outside of writing, she is a working sommelier and bartender with her WSET-III. To test these glasses, she served two defining drinks in them—a clear, ice-cold martini to gauge how the lip served high-end spirits and a fluffy Brandy Alexander to test how the glass showcases foam. It's dishwasher safe, so pop it in! Because the construction is sturdy, it's less likely you need to worry about it breaking in the dishwasher. The standard size runs about 4 to 5 ounces in capacity, but as you can see here, many of these coupe glasses are larger. Those with greater capacity are designed for different kinds of drinks that might need a little extra space, such as those with egg white foams, like a pisco or whiskey sour.