7 pieces of glassware every gentleman should own

Booze bought, mixers picked, recipes learnt. Your home bar is almost complete…

When it comes to buying glassware for your abode, the task can be pretty overwhelming and costly. But the trick is to start by building a core of essentials before expanding your collection. This is a home bar after all, and no friend of yours is going to write a scathing review about how you failed to serve up a Moscow Mule in a copper mug. Or at least, we hope they won’t.

To help take your tipples to the next level, these are the finest cuts of glass to purchase right now.

Tumbler

In a nutshell: otherwise known as a rocks glass, a tumbler is perfect for serving either liquors neat or classic cocktails such as old fashioned’s. Ones with a thick, heavy base won’t only look classy à la Don Draper, but they’ll also add a weighty feel to your hand.

We recommend: Double old fashioned tumbler by Richard Brendon.

Double old fashioned tumbler

Double old fashioned tumbler

£65.00

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Coupe

In a nutshell: a coupe has a timeless, Prohibition-era style that’s best used for champagne or mixed cocktails served “up”, such as Manhattans or Aviations. Our tip to you? Store in a freezer 30 minutes prior to use – you’ll thank us for it.

We recommend: Social set of 2 by Jason Atherton.

Social set of 2

Social set of 2

£76.40

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Flute

In a nutshell: as the stem allows the user to hold the glass without affecting the temperature of the drink, and due to the fact that the narrow-cross section minimises the oxygen-to-liquid ratio (which in effect enhances aroma and taste), the flute is best-suited for drinks such as champagne or wines.

We recommend: Elegance set of 2 by Waterford.

Elegance set of 2

Elegance set of 2

£55.00

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Martini

In a nutshell: it’s hard to deny that the martini, with its simple yet striking V-shaped bowl, is the most iconic glass of them all, thanks mainly to its appearances in the James Bond franchise. Due to its shallow design, it’s perfect for cocktails served without ice.

We recommend: Purismo martini set by Villeroy & Boch.

Purismo martini set

Purismo martini set

£24.90

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Cognac

In a nutshell: dubbed as a cognac glass, brandy snifter or balloon, this opulent piece of glassware is crafted with a very short stem which is supposed to be cradled in the hand, helping warm the drink it contains. The large bowl also allows the liquid to be swirled while the shorter mouth traps aromas, meaning the drinker can enjoy a more prominent smell. Used for aged brown spirits such as bourbon or brandy.

We recommend: Pure Cognac glass by Schott Zwiesel.

Pure Cognac glass

Pure Cognac glass

£57.00

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Versatile wine glass

In a nutshell: you can get several versions of a wine glass, but if you want to cut the wheat from the chaff, you won’t go wrong with an all-purpose option. Look for one with an elongated tulip-shaped bowl (this will allow you to swirl and aerate the wine and thus enhance its aromas), a medium-sized height (not too tall so it can be easily knocked over or too small that it seems squatty) and a laser-cut rim (this guarantees an enjoyable drinking experience).

We recommend: Zalto Denk’Art Universal Glass.

Zalto Denk’Art Universal Glass

Zalto Denk’Art Universal Glass

£45.00

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Collins

In a nutshell: named after the Collins cocktail, this bar essential is a classic mixed drinks glass. Not to be confused with the shorter and broader ‘hi-ball’, the Collins, with its skinny and tall body, is a summer must-have as it’s perfect for accommodating a drink with ice and soda.

We recommend: Bar long drink glasses by LSA.

Bar long drink glasses

Bar long drink glasses

£36.00

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Now read about the best gin cocktails to make right now.

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