The three Finest Martini Glasses of 2024, Examined & Reviewed

There’s nothing like a just-poured martini in a frosty glass. “That snap of chilly towards the sharpness of the spirit—it’s magic,” says Tiffanie Barriere, a cocktail educator and advisor. “If you pour that chilled martini right into a frosted glass, it’s the right connection of clear perfection.”

If the expertise of a martini comes all the way down to the wedding of the liquid and a pleasant, chilly glass, then the glass itself is as essential because the cocktail you pour into it. Usually, martini glasses are available three shapes: the traditional V, the coupe, and the Nick and Nora. Since we’ve already reviewed the shallow, spherical coupes, we concentrated this testing on V-shaped glasses and Nick and Noras. To search out the perfect ones, we examined 10 glasses by conducting 4 assessments: mixing and serving each martinis and daiquiris, measuring chilly retention, and testing sturdiness. The very best martini glasses mix class, robustness, and correct proportions.

The Winners, at a Look

“Nick and Nora glasses are just like the unsung heroes of cocktail glassware—they’re smaller, extra intimate, and have a nostalgic really feel,” Barriere says. At solely 4.75 ounces in capability, with excessive, curved partitions, this glass is ideal for retaining a martini icy chilly. It has a decent bowl that’s well-balanced with its base and its stem is lengthy sufficient to grip comfortably, however quick and thick sufficient to not really feel flimsy. These glasses are each enticing and durable.

This traditional glass performs higher than different V-shaped martini glasses. It’s made from thin-walled glass, which feels gentle and comfy. Extra importantly, this development does precisely what a martini glass ought to do: The liquid flows easily with out the interference of a thick wall of glass. Its deep, comparatively slim bowl additionally helps hold the drink chilly.

Quick and bottom-heavy, this little glass sits regular, lowering the potential for spills. And since its base is giant sufficient which you could grip it on the backside, you don’t danger warming the drink with the warmth of your hand across the bowl. At a rock-bottom worth for a dozen nearly unbreakable glasses, it is an excellent selection for giant events.

The Exams

• Martini Take a look at: We stirred a martini over ice and strained it into the glass to look at its look. We tasted it to see if the glass enhanced or inhibited the drink’s aroma and taste.
• Temperature Take a look at: We took the martini’s temperature when poured and once more quarter-hour later to look at how nicely it retained its chill.
• Daiquiri Take a look at: We shook a daiquiri over ice and strained it into the glass to look at its look. We added a lime wheel to the rim of the glass to see if the garnish stayed put. We tasted it to see if the glass enhanced or inhibited the drink’s aroma and taste.
• Cleansing Take a look at: After every check, we hand-washed the glass to look at how straightforward it was to wash. We additionally dropped glasses one inch above the sink floor to check their sturdiness.

What We Realized

What Are the Totally different Kinds of Martini Glasses? 

There are a selection of martini glasses that every present a special expertise of the drink.

• V-Formed Glass: Popularized by the James Bond films within the Nineteen Sixties and ’70s—and originating even earlier, within the early 1900s— the funnel-shaped V-glass is essentially the most recognizable martini vessel at the moment. Barriere likes it for daring flavors, the place the presentation issues simply as a lot because the style. 
• Nick and Nora Martini Glass: Named for Nick and Nora Charles, the martini-loving detectives within the The Skinny Man films, the Nick and Nora incorporates a tall, curved bowl, which is usually smaller in measurement than most of the V’s. It offers a nostalgic, class-cocktail really feel, and it’s nice for shorter, icy pours that may be completed earlier than the drink has time to heat up. 
• Couple glasses: With their shallow, spherical bowl, coupe glasses are as elegant for martinis as they’re for champagne. We’ve reviewed them earlier than and didn’t embrace them on this check for that cause.

Nick and Nora Martini  Glasses Felt Higher to Drink From

The traditional V-shaped glass, with its cone-shaped bowl, felt okay to drink out of, however the extensive bowl and fluted partitions have been extra more likely to end in spillage as we sipped. Conversely,  the Bormioli Rocco Nick and Nora Glasses’s curved partitions, which finish in a straight lip, felt extra gratifying to drink from. Every sip was concentrated and completely directed into our mouth. Plus, the normal four- or five-ounce measurement glass’s excessive partitions stored a martini completely chilly.  

How Tall Ought to a Martini Glass Be?

The taller the glass, the extra potential it has to interrupt on the stem and the more durable it’s to retailer. And a really tall glass often incorporates a bowl that’s so giant, that the martini will heat quicker than you may choose. Our favourite glass from Bormioli Rocco had a stem that wasn’t for much longer than the diameter of the stem and opening, and that felt good. Shoot for a few four-inch stem.

Stemless Martini Glasses Have been Sturdy 

Glasses with stems are elegant, however the stems might be fragile. Once we washed the glasses, we took further care as a result of we have been frightened that the stems may snap. Stemless martini glasses, like our winner from Libby, could be utilitarian, however boy, will they maintain up. It felt like we couldn’t break them even when we tried, making them nice for an enormous social gathering. And as soon as the music is cranked up, and the social gathering is in full swing, who’s being attentive to the class of the glass, anyway? Stemless glasses additionally match nicely in a freezer, so you’ll be able to serve martinis really ice chilly. 

The draw back to stemless choices is your hand will doubtless heat up your drink quicker than with a stemmed glass. “As soon as poured and served, a martini will solely get hotter, and there’s a level because the liquid opens that’s good, after which it will get too heat,” says Julia Momose, companion and artistic director at Chicago’s Kumiko.

Thinner, Lighter Glasses Felt Extra Nice

There have been fancy numbers amongst these we examined, just like the etched Crafthouse By Fortessa Professional Charles Joly glasses or the hand-cut Dorset Martini Glasses. However although they regarded good, they didn’t really feel pretty much as good once we have been sipping from them as a result of the glass tended to be quite thick. As an alternative, the sip that felt the perfect was from the thinnest glass. That’s why we appreciated the Williams Sonoma Reserve Martini Glasses—their low weight and skinny partitions made ingesting from them clean and seamless.

The Base and Bowl Ought to Be Effectively-Balanced

Some glasses, just like the Zwiesel Glas Martini Cocktail Glass, have a bowl that’s far higher in diameter than the bottom. We discovered that such glasses felt top-heavy and unstable. The glasses that felt essentially the most safe have been extra balanced; the bowl and the bottom of those glasses have been comparatively equal in diameter. The bowl of the Bormioli Rocco Nick and Nora Glasses, for instance, was solely a quarter-inch bigger than the bottom, so the glass felt much less more likely to tip over. 

The Standards: What to Search for in a Martini Glass 

Whereas we most well-liked the Nick and Nora glass form, which funneled the drink neatly into our mouths, we additionally included two good-quality V-shaped glasses for that traditional martini look. Whichever type you select, a martini glass’ bowl shouldn’t be too massive, or the drink will seem like it’s not a full pour—until you fill it with a much bigger drink, and then you definately danger it warming up an excessive amount of earlier than you end. The candy spot, we discovered, was round 5 ounces, which gave us sufficient room for a four-ounce martini. The partitions additionally shouldn’t be too thick, or it will likely be too unwieldy and really feel clunky to sip from. Lastly, it shouldn’t be prime or bottom-heavy; the bottom ought to be about the identical diameter because the bowl. 

Our Favourite Martini Glasses

What we appreciated: What a chic glass! Its ribbed, small bowl was completely balanced with its base. The stem was nonetheless sturdy sufficient that we didn’t must concern breakage. Better of all, with its excessive partitions and tight bowl, it stored drinks completely chilly and made sipping them a pleasing, clean expertise.

What we didn’t like: A daiquiri stayed supremely chilled on this glass, however the lime wheel regarded ridiculous on its rim. It’s simply an excessive amount of of a traditional martini glass for that wheel on the aspect. So if you wish to make a daiquiri in it, float the wheel quite than propping it on the lip.

Key Specs

• Worth per glass: $8.75
• Weight of every glass: 6.68 ounces
• Diameter of opening: 3 inches
• Diameter of base: 2.75 inches
• Size of stem: 3.5 inches
• Whole top: 6.25 inches
• Supplies: Glass 
• Quantity in set: 4 
• Capability: 4.75 fluid ounces
• Type: Nick and Nora
• Cleansing directions: Dishwasher-safe 

What we appreciated: This isn’t essentially the most highfalutin glass; it’s not etched or hand-cut. Nevertheless it’s elegantly balanced and light-weight. Better of all, the glass is skinny sufficient that it doesn’t get in the way in which of the expertise of the cocktail. It feels useful and timeless, with a large base that retains it firmly planted. And it’s sufficiently small that it really works for individuals with petite arms. We additionally like that its bowl is deep and comparatively slim, which helped hold the drink chilly.

What we didn’t like: This glass is simple, so should you’re going for pizzazz, it may not be glitzy sufficient for you. 

Key Specs

• Worth per glass: $25
• Weight of every glass: 4.5 ounces
• Diameter of opening: 4 inches 
• Diameter of base: 3.25 inches
• Size of stem: 3.5 inches
• Whole top: 6.75 inches
• Supplies: Glass
• Cleansing directions: Dishwasher-safe 
• Quantity in set: 4 
• Capability: 6 fluid ounces
• Type: V-Formed

What we appreciated: Having a bunch of individuals over? Fearful about elbows crowded round your desk, and many frivolity that may result in gleeful chaos (learn: damaged glasses)? Then you’ll be able to’t beat this squat glass for sturdiness. And with its deep, V-shaped bowl and hefty base, you don’t have to fret an excessive amount of about your hand warming up the glass since you’ll be able to grasp it low sufficient. Plus, for daiquiris, it simply appears to be like proper. 

What we didn’t like: Positive, it’s nice for an enormous social gathering, however should you’re serving martinis and going for class, it’s far too utilitarian for a glamorous sip. 

Key Specs

• Worth per glass: $2.10
• Weight of every glass: 8.25 ounces
• Diameter of opening: 4 inches 
• Diameter of base: 2.25 inches
• Whole top: 3.86 inches
• Supplies: Glass
• Cleansing directions: Dishwasher-safe 
• Quantity in set: 12 
• Capability: 8.25 fluid ounces
• Type: Stemless

The Competitors

• Riedel Drink Specific Glassware Nick & Nora Cocktail Glass: This tall-stemmed glass with its shallow bowl was good-looking to have a look at, and its upright partitions felt good to sip from. However the bowl was so massive and extensive that the daiquiri began to separate in it. We feared breakage if it slipped from our arms within the sink.
• Zwiesel Glas Pure German Crystal Glassware Collection, Martini Cocktail Glass: This Nick and Nora glass is even larger than the Riedel, and that’s not an excellent factor. Martini pours both regarded small or if we stuffed the glass, they warmed up too rapidly. And the daiquiri separated quick. They’re additionally fairly costly. 
• Dorset Martini Glasses: Though this glass felt sturdy sufficient for laundry, it was very top-heavy and we feared it could tip over. It’s cumbersome and over-designed for our tastes, with a thick lip. The worth is sort of excessive, too. 
• Luigi Bormioli Crescendo 10 Ounce Martini Glasses: Ten ounces is simply too massive for a martini glass. Our pours regarded Lilliputian and ingesting from it didn’t really feel elegant.
• Schott Zwiesel Universal Classico Martini Glasses: The extensive bowl regarded like it could chip and it’s far too massive for a drink. The daiquiri began to separate rapidly. Plus, we may really feel the seam on the stem, which wasn’t nice. 
• Crafthouse By Fortessa Professional Charles Joly: This one had the identical drawback because the Dorset: It was far too heavy and unwieldy.
• Fortessa Jupiter Beaded Hobnail Glass: This thick, bumpy, squat glass didn’t look or really feel like a martini glass. It was extra like a margarita glass, so the lime wheel for daiquiri regarded proper at dwelling. However a martini regarded and felt improper.

FAQs

What measurement martini glasses ought to I purchase? 

You desire a glass that’s not too massive, so drinks keep chilly. The perfect glass has a five-ounce capability, which holds a drink of round three to 4 ounces. 

What can you employ a martini glass for apart from martinis? 

Martini glasses ought to be crystal clear as a result of a part of the pleasure of ingesting from one is viewing the libation inside. Mainly, any cocktail you’ll be able to serve straight up is an effective selection for a martini glass. These embrace martini variations that we frequently don’t consider martinis, such because the Negroni. With its bitter Campari and candy vermouth lending it a vibrant, pink hue, it’s a conventional favourite for a martini glass. So, too, are drinks just like the Manhattan. Different, much less typical decisions additionally look elegant in a martini glass, amongst them a traditional daiquiri. With its few, selection elements, the drink is beloved for its purity. A martini glass helps it shine. 

What’s the greatest temperature for serving martinis?

A martini is greatest served fairly chilly, round  35 to 40°F—it is because the chilly temperature dulls the ethanol taste, permitting different extra nuanced expressions to shine by. 

Do you have to retailer your martini glasses within the freezer?

The specialists we interviewed have been unanimous on this level. As Fords Gin founder Simon Ford says, “One of many keys to an excellent martini is ensuring all the pieces you do results in essentially the most chilled drink you can also make, and that features the vessel you serve it in. The extra chilled the vessel, the longer it’s going to hold your martini chilly, since martinis are not often served on the rocks. Ideally they’re stored within the freezer earlier than use.” In case you don’t have room within the freezer? “On the very least it’s best to place ice into your cocktail glass to sit back it down whilst you combine your martini,” he says. 

Are you able to clear a martini glass within the dishwasher?

Many producers will say that their martini glasses are dishwasher protected. However handwashing—in heat water with a gentle cleaning soap— decreases the potential for breakage.

Why We’re the Consultants

• Betsy Andrews is a James Beard and IACP award-winning author who has coated drinks for 1 / 4 century. She has written about martinis for a lot of publications. 
• Her favourite pour is a barely moist, barely soiled Gibson.
• For this evaluation, she examined 10 martini glasses by utilizing them to serve martinis and daiquiris. She additionally examined their sturdiness. 
• She interviewed Tiffanie Barriere, the cocktail educator and advisor behind The Drinking Coach; Simon Ford of Fords Gin; and Julia Momose, companion and artistic director at Chicago’s Kumiko Bar.