A Guide To Happy Hour Glassware

Whether you're an amateur mixologist or a cocktail connoisseur, you can never have too many specialty glasses, an essential accessory for turning your favourite drink into " the real thing" you would order at the bar. The shape, size and material of a glass can affect the quality of its contents, from flavor to effervescence or foam density.  From Venetian-style coupes to crystal clear highballs and Weizenbier glasses, we've curated a list of must-haves to make your at-home happy hour the happiest of all.

Riedel, Set of 2 'O' Wine Tumblers for Cabernet / Merlot

You may recall an episode of Gossip Girl where Ms. Waldorf explains to Dan Humphrey that Riedel glasses are only to be washed with L'Occitane shampoo... However, Riedel's website states that these can be popped into the dishwasher, but if you have some (liters) of spare shampoo, feel free to test Blair's method. The brand revolutionized the glassware industry by creating specialty glasses for different kinds of wine, and has since been a staple found in as many at-home bar carts as restaurants. This set is is specifically made for drinking Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, two types of full-bodied red wines that require a large bowl which lets the wine oxidize, or breathe, to fully release its flavors. Their stemless design give them a casual appeal that will pair beautifully with a couple of the Grace and Frankie episodes or diving into a good book while lounging on the couch.

Villeroy & Boch, Set of 4 Boston Highball Glasses - Clear

Let's start off with one of the most versatile and popular glasses: The Highball glass, fashioned for serving any type of fizzy, "tall" cocktail containing lots of club soda like a gin and tonic, a Cuba Libre or a Dark n' Stormy. These glasses are easily recognizable by their height and the thick base designed to resist the muddling and crushing of herbs and fruit, when making a mojito or a caipirinha. Their narrow silhouette limits the contact between the drink and oxygen, which is absolutely crucial for preserving the bubbles of a carbonated cocktail, especially one served over ice. This set of 4 highball glasses by Villeroy & Boch will assuredly catch your guests' eye with its midcentury modern hobnail pattern and crystal clear glass. 

Saint-Louis, Tommy Champagne Saucer

The champagne saucer, also known as the champagne coupe, has become synonymous with the image of Jay Gatsby's lavish parties (after all, Fitzgerald is the one who said "Too much of anything is bad, but too much champagne is just right.") and Art Nouveau advertisements from the Belle Époque. It was introduced in the 1700s, the natural improvement of the wide cups champagne used to be served in (a much less scandalous origin story than the popular misconception that it was modeled after Queen Marie-Antoinette's left breast). The Tommy Champagne Saucer sparkles like precious stones and looks like it could have been held in the Queen's hand at an extravagant ball. Infuse your next gathering with a hint of 1920s grandeur or the opulence of Versailles with Saint-Louis' beloved design.

Guzzini, Happy Hour Wine Glass

500 years BCE, we were slurping wine out of large goblets akin to cereal bowls... Look how far we have come, drinking out of delicate wine glasses held at the stem. If you don't drink wine often enough to warrant buying different kinds of wine glasses, opt for this basic, versatile Guzzini model. Made out of thick plastic, it'll resist everyday tumbles and scratches on the patio, around the living room coffee table or at the dining table. Take a page out of John Keats' book: "[...] books, French wine, fine weather and a little music played out of doors [...]" and have yourself an idyllic evening at home.

Sir/Madam, Set of 2 Rialto Glass Coupes - Menthe

Hop on the colored glassware trend with these vibrant glass coupes, named after the City of Canals' oldest bridge as an homage to its iconic arches. The brand's interpretation of the color green might inspire you to pour yourself a grasshopper, a mix of crème de menthe, white crème de cacao, and cream. No need to limit yourself to green beverages, these coupes can be used to serve anything from a scoop of zesty lemon sorbet to a glass of Muscat while being fed grapes, just like Cleopatra (donkey milk bath optional). Handmade in Turkey, these translucent coupes will turn any tablescape into a Bridgerton-esque kaleidoscope of pastel colors.

Riedel, Set of 2 Vinum Cuvée Prestige Flutes

Launched in the 1980s, the Vinum series is one of Riedel's most iconic collections. The flutes' long and narrow shape helps to your bubbly bubbly, which keeps your drink fresh and crisp. Audrey Hepburn's character in Breakfast at Tiffany's, Holly Golightly, famously indulged in champagne before breakfast and we're fairly certain these timeless glasses would have been up to her effortlessly chic standards. Whether you've got a taste for Dom Pérignon, Taittinger, or Moët & Chandon, these fine crystal glasses will turn any brunch mimosa or celebratory toast into a luxurious drinking experience. 

Riedel, Set of 2 Sunshine Cocktail Coupettes

From happy hour to an al fresco dessert, these incredibly versatile coupettes can be used to enjoy a tropical Tequila Sunrise, an exotic fruit salad, a Dame Blanche or Rachel's infamous sweet and savory Thanksgiving trifle from Friends. Made out of gleaming crystal and adorned with a classic striped pattern, these coupettes are as elegant as they are comfortable to hold and useful to add to your drinkware arsenal for cocktail hours that turn into long, lazy dinners enjoyed in the sweet summer weather.  

Villeroy & Boch, Set of 4 Entrée Sherry Glasses

For some reason, sherry is believed by many to originate from England and be reserved for grandmothers before their bedtime, Hercule Poirot-looking gentlemen leaning against bookshelves in Victorian libraries, or perhaps even Frasier Crane. This couldn't be further from the truth: Sherry is an Anglicism of Jerez, the Spanish region where it's exclusively produced. The delicious yellow nectar features a rich, nutty flavor and hints of dried fruit that make a fantastic aperitif or digestif. Surprise your guests with this uncommon, aromatic beverage, best served in these dainty copitas by Villeroy & Boch. 

Schott Zwiesel, Set of 6 Bavaria Beer Glasses

This isn't your average six-pack. This set of 6 Bavaria beer glasses is named after the region in Germany that's home to half of the country's breweries. Transform your patio or terrace into a biergarten by offering your guests refreshing wheat beer such as Hoegaarden, Erdinger Weissbier, or Blanche de Chambly in their appropriate specialty glass: The Weizen glass. Its singular shape is composed of a narrow base, a wider middle and a curved rim to trap wheat beer's signature thick, frothy foam. This set by Schott Zwiesel is made out of Tritan® crystal glass, a lead-free material with a toughened glass finish that's resistant to breakage, and was invented and patented by the brand itself. Enjoy a harmonious blend of elegance, durability and functionality, all in one glass. 

Schott Zwiesel, Set of 6 Basic Bar Contemporary Martini Glasses

Designed by Charles Schumann, the renown bartender, this martini glass is an accurate reflection of Schumann's owner's bar philosophy: High quality glassware for simple, classic cocktails. What's more classic than a martini, one of the world's most popular drinks since the 1950s? Made out the brand's Tritan® crystal glass, this set of glasses will stand the test of many, many spills and bar cart bumps. We recommend using them to sip on a deliciously sophisticated Vodka Vesper à la Casino Royale, obviously shaken, not stirred. Pair your beverage with an Elvis Presley disc or a movie from Hollywood's Golden Age and you might just want to do the twist or speak in delightful Transatlantic accent.