What Is A Coupe Glass And How Does It Differ From A Martini Glass?

When a bartender hands you a beverage, you may not think about why it's being served in a particular type of glass. But know that these different cocktail glasses are designed to enhance the drinks inside. Brandy snifters allow the drinker to cradle the glass and warm the brandy, releasing aromas, while hurricane glasses are designed to hold a lot of booze. Meanwhile, rocks glasses are made for drinks served, you guessed it, on the rocks (that's with ice).

Most people are familiar with a martini glass. Its iconic cone shape is perfectly designed to allow the aroma of the martini to reach your nose, while holding it by the long stem helps the beverage maintain its frosty temperature away from your warm hand. However, there is another type of glass that also enhances the flavors, aroma, and delivery of a martini: the coupe glass.

Coupe (pronounced "coop") glasses were first said to be used in the 17th century for Champagne, but fell out of favor when imbibers realized the wide bowl allowed too much of the drink's carbonation to escape. In the 1950s, they were replaced by the Champagne flute, whose small mouth kept the bubbles in. Unlike the V-shape of the martini glass, the coupe has a shallow mouth that is about as wide as its bowl.

When drinking a martini, the liquid should wash over your palate. Some believe the inverted cone shape of the martini glass makes it easier to do just that, but the wide mouth of both styles of glasses delivers the aromas of the drink well. That's a big part of the overall flavor experience for any beverage, especially ones with aromatic components.

Many servers are also grateful for the deep bowl of the coupe glass, which helps prevent spillage. They are also typically less top-heavy than a spindly martini glass, so the weight is balanced more evenly. Martinis aren't the only thing served in a coupe glass, either. Sours look beautiful in a coupe, which allows the foam to be more showcased in the wider glass.

Coupe glasses tend to have a smaller capacity and only hold about six ounces. Most martini glasses, on the other hand, hold around 8 ounces, making them the perfect choice for those nights when you need a double. Whether you prefer a dirty martini or something a little sweeter, choose your drinking vessel wisely to have the ultimate sipping experience.