Glasses from left to right:
martini, vodka, brandy
snifter, cordial.

The Right Glassware

Most glasses used for cocktails have distinctive shapes for a reason. For example, some footed or heavy glasses, such as old-fashioned and sour glasses, are designed so heat from a drinker's hand doesn't warm the icy cocktail.

 

Glasses from left to right:
schapps, old-fashioned,
liqueur, highball.

Although their shapes and preferred uses are special, barware can be found in most housewares stores. In fact, it's even showing up on the greet harbinger of retail trends: the bridal registry.

Old-fashioned glass (8 to 10 ounces): old-fashioned, bloody mary Cocktail/martini glass (4 to 6 ounces): martini, grasshopper, Manhattan Highball glass (8 to 10 ounces): Cape Codder, rum punch, Singapore sling, sloe gin fizz Collins glass (10 to 12 ounces): fuzzy navel, screwdriver, sea breeze Shot glass (1-1/2 to 2 ounces): tequila slammer Pilsner glass (12 to 14 ounces): beer Champagne flute (6 to 8 ounces): champagne, champagne cocktail Irish coffee (8 to 10 ounces): Irish coffee, hot chocolate drinks Large wine goblet (10 to 14 ounces): wine (shapes of the goblets may vary slightly for red and white wines) Sour glass (6 ounces): whiskey sour Margarita glass (6 to 8 ounces): margarita, daiquiri Vodka/schnapps glass (1 to 4 ounces): chilled vodka, Goldschlager Cordial/liqueur glass (1 to 4 ounces): Kahlua, amaretto