The 8 Best Martini Glasses of 2023
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From Nick and Nora sets to retro-inspired crystal, our top picks make classic cocktails shine.
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We may never come to a definitive answer about whether a martini is better shaken or stirred, mixed with gin or vodka, or served with an olive or a lemon twist. A martini, after all, is one of the most personal (and specific) drink orders out there. But one thing’s for sure: The glass you use for your martini makes all the difference.
The best martini glasses come in a variety of different materials, shapes, and sizes to satisfy every budget and style. V-shaped martini glasses may be the most common in bars across the country (it’s often used for creative spins on martinis — appletini, anyone?), but there are plenty of other riffs on the classic shape to choose from for your home bar setup, including coupes, sturdy stemless sets, and Nick and Nora glasses.
We found the best martini glasses across every category, for every budget and type of drinker. Whether you prefer thin and elegant crystal martini glasses or are looking for a budget-friendly (and hard to break!) stemless option, we’ve got you covered. Read on for our top picks.
Best Overall: Schott Zwiesel Universal Classico Martini Glass
Pros
These German-made crystal martini glasses are surprisingly affordable and reinforced at both the bowl and base for added durability.
Cons
Though these glasses are technically dishwasher-safe, hand-washing is recommended to prevent clouding.
The name says it all: Schott Zwiesel’s martini glasses are classic. These German-made crystal glasses are from an iconic name in stemware—the producer of some of the best wine glasses available today. Surprisingly affordable for crystal, these are priced not much higher than our value pick. They’re also (almost) shatter-resistant, due to extra reinforcement at the bowl-stem and stem-foot junctures. They are dishwasher-safe, although to avoid a cloudy appearance on glassware over time, hand-washing is best.
We love the just slightly oversized 8.9-ounce capacity of these glasses, which allows for easier transporting of your favorite martini from the bar to the backyard or living room without spills.
Price at time of publish: $13
Capacity: 8.9 ounces
Height: 6.4 inches
Material: Crystal
Best Nick and Nora: Riedel Nick and Nora Cocktail Glasses
Pros
With a versatile design featuring a gently curved lip, these Nick and Nora glasses can be used for any stirred cocktail.
Cons
Aesthetically, this machine-made glass has a slight seam which some reviewers noted.
Nick and Nora were a cocktail-loving fictional husband-and-wife detective team popular in the 1930s and 40s. While there is no shortage of “Nick & Nora”-style martini glasses now (the vintage style is making a comeback), this set from Riedel takes the cake. We appreciate the gently curved lip — similar in shape to a tulip glass — that makes this pick stand out.
Another upside of these Nick and Nora glasses is their versatility for serving stirred cocktails other than a classic martini. We think they'd make any Manhattan or Vesper look even more glamorous.
Price at time of publish: $40
Capacity: 4.9 ounces
Height: 6 inches
Material: Glass
Best Splurge: Estelle Hand-Blown Colored Martini Glasses
Buy at Estellecoloredglass.com
Pros
These vintage-inspired martini glasses are available in a variety of fun pastel colors.
Cons
These hand-blown glasses are delicate and require hand-washing.
Invest in these bell-shaped martini glasses, and you can be sure you’ll have the most unique set of drinkware around. Hand-blown in Poland, they’re available in three different vintage-inspired colorways (or go for the mixed set, which includes two each of rose, smoke, and blush). As a bonus, if you fall in love with the style, you can build your collection with rocks and wine glasses from the same maker.
This splurge-worthy set of colorful glasses also makes a thoughtful gift for newlyweds, friends who love to host dinner parties, or the home bartender in your life.
Price at time of publish: $205
Capacity: 8.25 ounces
Height: 7.25 inches
Material: Hand-blown glass
Best Value: Crystalia Classic Martini Glasses
Pros
These thick and sturdy glasses are dishwasher-safe.
Cons
With a 6-ounce capacity, these martini glasses are slightly smaller than other picks on our list.
We compared dozens of martini glass sets on Amazon, and this petite set came out on top. With a near-perfect customer rating and attractive price, these V-shaped glasses will get the job done and are a sturdy choice for the accident-prone cocktail fan. They’re made in Europe and have a just-thick-enough stem to discourage snapping and breaking.
Heads up: With a 6-ounce capacity bowl, these are slightly smaller than some of our other picks.
Price at time of publish: $28
Capacity: 6 ounces
Height: 5.8 inches
Material: Glass
Best Set for Entertaining: Mikasa Cheers Martini Glasses
Pros
Each glass in the set has a different etched design, which makes this set great for entertaining.
Cons
At 10 ounces, these martini glasses are slightly oversized and might not be ideal presentation-wise.
For the martini enthusiast who likes to show a little personality: These XL glasses from Mikasa are too fun to pass up. Each glass in this set of four has a generous 10-ounce capacity, and a different etched design, including swirls and polka dots. Use this set for your next gathering, or gift it to a friend who loves to entertain. Choosing a glass to suit your personality is almost as fun as imbibing from it.
Price at time of publish: $50
Capacity: 10 ounces
Height: 7.5 inches
Material: Crystal
Best Stemless: Dragon Glass Stemless Martini Glass
Pros
These stemless martini glasses are durable, sturdy, and dishwasher-safe. They're also double-walled to keep drinks colder for longer.
Cons
The stemless design is a bit unorthodox for serving a traditional martini.
Although stemless glassware is not quite ideal for martinis, this creative and striking set has cracked the code. They’re double-walled, which keeps your cocktails colder for longer. These glasses are a consistent top performer on Amazon, regularly praised for their durability and no-sweat, incredibly insulated construction. If stability is a concern, these sturdy stemless glasses are an easy solution, since they won’t easily chip, break, or fall over.
Price at time of publish: $35
Capacity: 7 ounces
Height: 4.3 inches
Material: Glass
Best Crystal: Fiore Martini Glasses
Buy at Williams-sonoma.pdy5.net
Pros
At 7.5 ounces, we think these retro-inspired crystal martini glasses are the perfect size and shape.
Cons
Since they are made from crystal, hand-washing is recommended.
For retro-inspired cocktail hour elegance, you can’t do better than these sparkling crystal glasses. Made in Slovenia and expertly crafted to evoke a look of abstract flowers, these are the glasses you’ll want to use for entertaining and special occasions. They’re moderately, sensibly sized with a 7.5-ounce capacity bowl.
Price at time of publish: $160
Capacity: 7.5 ounces
Height: 7.75 inches
Material: Crystal
Best Coupe: Riedel Veritas Coupe Glasses, Set of 2
Pros
These elegant coupe glasses can be used for Champagne and other bubbly cocktails in addition to martinis.
Cons
The elongated stem is delicate and prone to breakage if not handled with care.
May we just say: Wow. These stunning glasses are super thin from bowl to stem. While that makes for a show-stopping aesthetic, it also allows the subtle flavors of the spirits to shine through — a must for cocktail drinkers who insist on a specific brand of gin or vodka. A pleasure to hold, you’ll reach for these multi-tasking glasses anytime you’re craving a martini or Champagne.
Price at time of publish: $79
Capacity: 8.5 ounces
Height: 6.3 inches
Material: Crystal
Factors to Consider
Size
How big should a martini glass be? Some martini glasses, like the Nick & Nora style, hold less liquid. Others, like most V-shaped glasses, can contain more. In contrast to rocks glasses, martini glasses should be filled relatively close to the brim. A traditional martini is 4 ounces — 3 ounces of gin or vodka and 1 ounce of vermouth. Consider that the larger the martini, the more likely it will become warm before the drinker finishes it.
Material
Most martini glasses are made from glass or crystal. Plastic stemware is not ideal for martinis. Glass martini glasses are more common and usually less expensive. Crystal can be spun very thin, which makes for stemware with an elegant and luxurious look and feel — a thin edge can also make the spirit’s subtle flavors easier to notice.
Design
What style of martini glass is best? This is where personal preference comes into play. A V-shaped glass is the most traditional, although it can be awkward to store, due to its top-heavy design. V-shaped glasses are also more likely to cause spills, thanks to their wide diameters and sloped sides. If you’re worried about sloshes, consider a coupe or bell-shaped glass. There’s also the lip thickness to consider. As mentioned above, a thinner lip will allow the nuances of the cocktail to sing. As a tradeoff, thinner glassware is delicate and easier to break.
Frequently Asked Questions
What other types of glasses can I use for a martini?
A coupe — sometimes used for Champagne and sparkling wine — makes a smart-looking martini glass. A Nick & Nora glass is another favorite among professional bartenders due to its versatility (like the coupe, it’s not just for martinis). Its bowl is a little taller and more narrow than a coupe glass, which makes spills and sloshes less likely. This vintage-inspired bell-shaped glass is a great glow-up for martinis.
What is the most popular martini glass size?
Even bartenders will admit that the best type of glass for martinis depends on the situation — and the style of the martini drinker, of course. But the most common kind of martini glass is a V-shaped glass. These stemmed glasses have a wide, round diameter that tapers gradually to the stem. V-shaped glasses have cemented their place in bar cabinets over the last few decades. They’re the stemware of choice for culturally iconic cocktails, like the Cosmopolitan and Espresso Martini.
What shape is a martini glass?
A traditional martini glass is shaped like a V, with a conical base and wide, round rim. Although you can drink a martini from coupe glasses and Nick & Nora glasses, those options are multi-purpose and not “just” for martinis.
How do you chill a martini glass?
Martinis are served “up,” without ice. To keep a martini cold for longer, pour it into a chilled glass. You can chill a martini glass by placing it in the freezer for at least 30 minutes before using it (don’t remove it until just before pouring it). You can also store martini glasses in the freezer so they’re always ready, but if you do that, make sure they are in a safe spot, away from heavy or bulky items that could break the glass if shifted.
To quick-chill a martini glass without a freezer, fill the bowl of the glass with ice cubes (crushed ones are best because they cover more surface area of the glass) while you are mixing the drink. Pour the ice into the sink just before serving.
How do you rim a martini glass?
You can rim a martini glass with sugar, salt, or seasonings, although a traditional martini cocktail does not have a rimmed edge. However, you can certainly use a martini glass for other drinks. First, spread the seasoning out in a shallow bowl or plate large enough to accommodate the diameter of the glass. Your seasoning or flavoring of choice needs something slightly sticky and wet to adhere to. Typically, bartenders swipe a bit of citrus — like lemon, lime, or grapefruit, depending on the flavor profile of the drink — around the rim. After that, invert the glass and place it in the seasoning, rolling it slightly so the salt or sugar adheres to the citrus.
You can rim the entire diameter of a martini glass or just a portion. It’s best to keep the rim decoration thin, so it doesn’t drip down the outside of the glass as the cocktail is sipped.
Our Expertise
Rochelle Bilow is a food writer and editor with over a decade of professional experience. Previously a senior associate editor and social media manager at Bon Appétit and Cooking Light magazines, Rochelle is also a culinary school graduate, and a former professional baker and line cook. Her drink order is a dirty martini with at least three olives.
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