What Drinks Go in a Coupe Glass?
Key Takeaways
- Coupes suit any cocktail served without ice, including Daiquiris, Sidecars, Cosmopolitans, and Manhattans.
- For a champagne tower, you need 20 identical coupes for a four-tier build serving around 20 guests.
- The Bormioli Rocco Novecento set of 6 is the best budget option for UK buyers.
- The Argon Tableware Hoxton set of 6 is the most popular choice for champagne towers.
The coupe glass shows up on every vintage cocktail list and wedding Pinterest board, but most people are not quite sure what actually belongs in one. It is not just a champagne saucer from the 1920s. The coupe has become the default glass for a whole category of drinks, and knowing which ones suit it will make your home bar feel properly stocked.
Here are the questions we get asked most about coupe glasses, answered straight.
What Type of Drinks Do You Serve in a Coupe Glass?
The simple rule is this: if a cocktail is shaken or stirred with ice but served without it, a coupe is a strong choice. That means any drink served "up" works beautifully in a coupe, from a classic Daiquiri to a Cosmopolitan.
The most common coupe cocktails in UK bars right now include:
- Daiquiri (white rum, lime, sugar) - the purest test of a good coupe
- Sidecar (cognac, triple sec, lemon juice)
- Cosmopolitan (vodka, cranberry, triple sec, lime)
- Manhattan served up (whiskey, sweet vermouth, bitters)
- Aviation (gin, maraschino, lemon juice)
- Bee's Knees (gin, lemon, honey)
- Espresso Martini (vodka, coffee liqueur, fresh espresso)
- Negroni up (gin, Campari, sweet vermouth)
The coupe also handles sparkling wine and champagne cocktails perfectly. A French 75, a champagne cocktail with Angostura, or just a straight pour of prosecco all look the part in a coupe. The wide bowl gives the wine room to breathe, and the stem keeps your hand away from the bowl so the drink stays cold.
What you should not put in a coupe: long drinks with mixers, anything served over ice, or drinks that need a straw. A Tom Collins or a Mojito belongs in a highball. A Whisky Sour with egg white can go in a coupe, but a Sour served on ice belongs in a rocks glass.
How Many Coupe Glasses Do You Need for a Champagne Tower?
A champagne tower uses coupe glasses stacked in a pyramid, with champagne poured from the top so it cascades down through every layer. It looks spectacular and it is easier to build than you might think, but the math matters.
The glass count follows a simple formula based on the number of tiers:
- 3 tiers: 10 glasses (serves up to 10 guests)
- 4 tiers: 20 glasses (serves up to 20 guests) - the most popular choice for UK weddings and parties
- 5 tiers: 35 glasses (serves up to 35 guests)
- 6 tiers: 56 glasses (serves up to 56 guests)
Every single glass must be the same size and shape. Mixed sets cause uneven weight distribution and the whole thing collapses. That is why buying a matched set of 20 Argon Tableware Hoxton coupes is cheaper than hoping your existing cupboard of mismatched glasses will stack.
You will also need champagne, obviously. A four-tier tower (20 glasses) needs roughly 4 to 5 bottles to fill and cascade. Budget for 20% more than you think you need, because some champagne spills off the edges during the pour.
Are Coupe Glasses Better Than Martini Glasses?
Most craft bartenders have quietly switched from the classic V-shaped martini glass to the coupe, and there are practical reasons behind it. The coupe's rounded bowl sits more stably on a table and is less likely to spill if someone knocks it. The V-shaped martini glass looks iconic but it is top-heavy and awkward to carry without a tray.
From a drinking perspective, the coupe has a genuine advantage. The wide, shallow bowl exposes more of the liquid's surface to the air, which means aromatic compounds from gin, vermouth, or bitters reach your nose more effectively. For a stirred Manhattan or a fragrant Aviation, that difference matters.
That said, the martini glass still has a place. If you are serving a very cold, very clean gin martini and you want that sharp, angular presentation, the martini glass delivers on aesthetics. But for everyday home bar use, the coupe is more practical and more forgiving.
What Size Coupe Glass Should You Buy?
Standard coupes hold between 180ml and 240ml (6 to 8 fl oz), which covers the vast majority of cocktails. A Krosno 240ml set sits right in that sweet spot, large enough for a generous pour without looking oversized.
If you are buying specifically for champagne towers, aim for 200 to 220ml. Smaller glasses stack more easily and the lower centre of gravity keeps the tower stable. The Argon Hoxton at 220ml is designed exactly for this purpose.
For cocktail-only use, bigger is not always better. A 250ml+ coupe can make a standard cocktail look lost in the glass. Stick to 180 to 240ml and you will cover every recipe without issue.
Can You Serve Champagne in a Coupe Glass?
Absolutely, and for most of history that is exactly what people did. The coupe predates the champagne flute by centuries. The wide bowl was designed to showcase the colour and let the aroma spread, and it still looks more elegant than a flute for a champagne toast.
The trade-off is fizz. The wide surface area of a coupe lets bubbles escape faster than a narrow flute, so your champagne goes flat more quickly. If you are serving a single glass as an aperitif, this barely matters. If you are hosting a long dinner and want the champagne to stay sparkling through the main course, a flute or tulip glass holds its bubbles longer.
For parties, weddings, and casual entertaining, the coupe wins on presentation every time. A tray of coupes filled with champagne or a Spiegelau crystal coupette set for a special occasion looks far more inviting than a row of identical flutes.
How Do You Clean and Store Coupe Glasses?
Most modern coupes, including the Bormioli Rocco Novecento and Argon Hoxton ranges, are dishwasher safe. That makes life easier if you are hosting regularly and do not want to hand-wash twelve glasses after every party.
Hand-blown or crystal coupes like the Spiegelau range are also dishwasher safe in most cases, but hand-washing in warm soapy water and drying with a soft cloth will keep them looking better for longer.
For storage, upright is fine for everyday coupes. If you have delicate stems or expensive crystal, store them in a rack or a padded box to avoid chipping. Keep them away from strong-smelling cupboards, because glass absorbs odours over time.
Quick Guide: Choosing Your Coupe Glasses
| Set | Capacity | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Bormioli Rocco Novecento (6) | 250ml | Budget cocktail glass set |
| Krosno Harmony (6) | 240ml | All-round cocktail and champagne |
| Argon Tableware Hoxton (6) | 220ml | Champagne towers and parties |
| Spiegelau Coupette (4) | 235ml | Premium cocktails and gifts |
Products Mentioned
- Bormioli Rocco Novecento Coupe Glasses, Set of 6 (250ml) - Italian toughened glass, dishwasher safe
- Krosno Harmony Champagne Saucer Coupe Glasses, Set of 6 (240ml) - Polish lead-free crystal
- Argon Tableware Hoxton Crystal Coupe Glasses, Set of 6 (220ml) - Art Deco design, popular for towers
- Spiegelau Coupette Glasses, Set of 4 (235ml) - German crystal, laser-cut rim
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Last reviewed: 8 September 2026 ยท Evidence-based content ยท Contains affiliate links