We are living in a renaissance of incredible cocktail glasses. Maybe it’s just that the internet has given folks more access to some of the best unique cocktail glasses the world has to offer, but I feel like I can’t turn a digital corner without falling in love with a confetti-embellished Champagne coupe or a set of old fashioned glasses that look like Barbapapas in the best way possible. During lockdown, my roommates and I would throw weekly fancy cocktail nights with eclectic glassware and pretty, Dalí-esque pearl onion garnishes. Those lockdown moments may have faded, but our collective craving for Personality Glassware has only continued to develop.
This isn’t to say I don’t appreciate a no-fuss, workhorse set of cocktail glasses. Stainless steel coupe glasses, for example, are aesthetically spartan and virtually unbreakable, but still manage to bring some Sharon Stone energy to the home bar cart. But I’ve observed an increasing amount of whimsical cocktail glasses that don’t just come from the MoMA Design Store or your local shoppy shop (think Big Night or Coming Soon), but big name retailers such as CB2 or even Amazon. This wave of cool glassware has roots in the souped-up pandemic home decor trends of yore (think, Goober candles and DIY foam mirrors), which served as a visual shorthand to say, “I may be stuck inside, but my personality is still here.”
As a collector of cool dinnerware and glassware, I always keep an eye out for unique cocktail glasses that were made by doting human hands (or at least look like it). Individual quirks are chic. Knowing where your stuff was made is always a good idea. When shopping for cool cocktail glasses, ask yourself questions like, would I try and flirt with this cocktail glass at a bar? If the answer is no, it’s probably not doing enough for you. I want my cocktail glasses to look like they could cast a spell on me or speak several languages. The aesthetic could be anything — I love a mishmash of dishes on display in a kitchen hutch — so long as it’s not boring.
Below, I have rounded up a small taste of the many unique cocktail glasses out there for every budget and aesthetic.
