Why Coupe Glasses Are Perfect for Cocktails

You do not often see the words sexy and glass in the same sentence, but coupe (pronounced coop) glasses have become synonymous with chic, glamor, and high society and are undeniably sexy. This cocktail glass has become all the rage in the last few years, and it’s easy to see why. From their stylish aesthetic to their smooth rounded bowl, it’s no wonder that the coupe has made a triumphant resurgence. Coupes originally became fashionable in France in the 1700s and were the champagne vessel of choice for many years. Today, coupe glasses have become popularized as the perfect glass for martinis and other classic cocktails that are served shaken or stirred without ice cubes. They are also a stylish way to sip spirits.

Classic and elegant in their design, coupe glasses are staples at fine wine establishments and cocktail bars. Their vintage feel hearkens back to a time of opulence and excess.  The standard cocktail coupe glass bowl holds 4-8 ounces and stems range from short to tall.  Regardless of the size, coupe glasses are a classy and sophisticated way to take your cocktail presentation to the next level.

Coupe glasses are not just stylish and sleek, they are the perfect vessel for an array of cocktails.  We are continuing our “So, What’s the Scoop with the Coupe Glass” blog series with this list of 13 cocktails to serve in your cocktail coupe glasses.  We have gathered recipes from our favorite Instagram influencers...all served in our Elegant Long-Stemmed Coupe Glass.  These recipes are perfect for the at-home bartender. We hope you enjoy the cocktails as much as we did.

Classic Coupe Glass Cocktails 

MANHATTAN (photo by Audrey)

This classic cocktail goes way back to the 1860s, about the same time when vermouth was brought to America from Europe. The Americans then invented several drinks that featured vermouth. One of which mixed it with whiskey and Manhattan was born.

 Ingredients:

• 2 oz rye whiskey
• 1 oz sweet vermouth
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• 1dash orange bitters
• Garnish: brandied cherry or lemon twist

 Directions:

1. Add the bourbon (or rye), sweet vermouth and both bitters to a mixing glass with ice and stir until well-chilled.
2. Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
3. Garnish with a brandied cherry or a lemon twist.

BLOODY BOULEVARDIER (photo and recipe by @cocktail_contessa)

Sometimes it’s nice to be naughty…and this twist on the classic Boulevardier proves it.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz bourbon
• ¾ oz Campari
• ¾ oz sweet vermouth
• Blood orange soda
• Garnish: coffee beans or mint sprig (or pepper horns)

Directions:

1. Combine bourbon, Campari, and sweet vermouth in a mixing glass and add ice.
2. Stir for 30 seconds.
3. Strain into a chilled coupe glass and top with blood-orange soda.
4. Garnish

SIDECAR

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Cognac or brandy
• 1 iz. Cointreau or orange liqueur
• 3/4 oz. fresh lemon juice
• Sugar for rimming (optional)

Directions:

1. Rim the coupe glass with sugar (optional).
2. In a shaker filled with ice, combine Cognac, Cointreau, and lemon juice.
3. Shake well and strain into the coupe glass.

Modern Coupe Cocktails

PAPER PLANE COCKTAIL (photo and recipe by @Punjabimartini)

This cocktail is a beautiful balance between bitter, sour, and herbal notes !! Try this easy to make cocktail today and we promise you’ll love it

Ingredients:

• 1 oz bourbon
• 1 oz amaro
• 1 oz aperol
• A squeeze of lemon juice

 Directions:

1. Shake equal parts Bourbon, Amaro Nonino, Aperol, and a squeeze of lemon juice into a coupe glass.
2. Enjoy!

PINEAPPLE CHAI SOUR (photo and recipe by @thecocktailsnob_)

Any recipe with pineapple in it gets our vote…and we’re sure this Pineapple Chai Sour will get yours too!

Ingredients:

• 2 oz whiskey
• 1 oz pineapple chai syrup (1 cup of pineapple juice and chai tea simmered over medium heat)
• .75oz lemon juice

Directions:

1. Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice
2. Shake until chilled
3. Strain into a coupe glass
4. Enjoy!

CONCORD GRAPY COSMO (photo and recipe by @mochene)

Usher in the warm spring weather with this delicious cocktail.  It’s simple to make and goes down smooth.

 Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 ounces of Parson’s Grapy or dry London gin
• 1 ounce Cointreau
• 2 ounces Concord grape juice, no added sugar

Directions:

1. Measure the gin, Cointreau, and juice into a cocktail shaker tin with ice and shake to chill.
2. Double-strain into a chilled coupe glass.

JUST MY TYPE (photo and recipe by @skigrrrl)

Could this cocktail be any more gorgeous??  We think not.  And it’s equally delicious, and to us gorgeous + delicious = a winning combination!
 
Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz gin
• 75 oz Sour Cherry Liqueur 
• 75 oz Bergamot Liqueur 
• 1.5 oz Limoncello 
• 1 oz Fresh squeezed lemon juice
• Club Soda

Directions:

1. Shake everything but the club soda with ice and strain into a coupe glass.
2. Top with club soda.
3. Decorate your coupe glass with Valentine sprinkle mix using @cocktail.visionHardCore Rim Glue, it holds even the heaviest of sprinkles like magic.

BRANDY ALEXESPRESSO (photo and recipe by @cocktail_contessa)

In part 1 of our So, What’s the Scoop with the Coupe series, we stated that you do not often see the words sexy and glass in the same sentence.  Well, here’s one exception to the rule.  This cocktail is so sinful, so delectable that it makes any coupe glass look sexy.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz cognac
• 1 oz Southern Distilling Double Shot Espresso Cream
• 1/2 oz non-creamy salted caramel whiskey
• Optional: additional ounce cooled espresso or strong coffee 

Directions:

1. Add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker.
2. Shake, strain, into a coupe glass, garnish, and sip.

CORPSE REVIVER

Ingredients:

• Absinthe, to rinse
• 3/4 oz. London dry gin
• 3/4 oz. Lillet blanc
• 3/4 oz. orange liqueur
• 3/4 oz. lemon juice, freshly squeezed

Directions:

1. Rinse the inside of a chilled coupe glass with absinthe, discard the excess and set the glass aside.
2. Add the gin, Lillet blanc, orange liqueur and lemon juice into a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled.
3. Strain into the prepared glass.

Champagne & Sparkling Coupe Cocktails

ROYAL SORBET 75 (photo and recipe by @cocktail_contessa)

This riff on the French 75 is the perfect summer cocktail.  It’s equal parts gorgeous, delicious, and refreshing.

 Ingredients:

• 1 oz Empress 1908 gin
• ½ oz rosemary-infused syrup
• ½ oz lemon juice
• 1 scoop of lemon sorbet
• Top with champagne
• Garnish: lemon zest and fresh rosemary sprig

Directions:

1. Shake the gin, syrup, and rosemary in a shaker with ice and strain into a chilled coupe glass.
2. Add a scoop of lemon sorbet
3. Top with champagne
4. Garnish with lemon zest and a fresh rosemary sprig.

ALL POM AND GAMES UNTIL SOMEONE LOSES AN EYE (photo and recipe by @cocktail_contessa)

This cocktail includes Pomegranates and Champagne….need we say more?

Ingredients:

• 1.5oz gin
• 1.5 oz pomegranate juice
• 1/4 oz cinnamon syrup
• 1/2 oz lemon juice
• Prosecco or Champagne, if desired

Directions:

1. Shake the gin, pomegranate juice, syrup, and lemon juice in a shaker with ice and strain into a chilled coupe glass.
2. Top with Prosecco or Champagne
3. Garnish with a cinnamon stick, arils, or mint.

CLASSIC CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL

Ingredients:

• 1 sugar cube
• 2-3 dashes of Angostura bitters
• 4 oz. chilled Champagne or sparkling wine
• Lemon twist or cherry for garnish

Directions:

1. Place a sugar cube at the bottom of a coupe glass
2. Add the bitters onto the sugar cube
3. Slowly pour the chilled Champagne into the glass.
4. Garnish with a lemon twist or cherry.

FRENCH 75

Ingredients:

• 1 oz gin
• 1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• 2 oz chilled Champagne or sparkling wine
• Lemon twist for garnish

Directions:

1. In a sharker filled with ice, combine gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
2. Shake well and strain into a coupe glass.
3. Top with chilled Champagne and garnish with a lemon twist.

THE VIEW IS WELL WORTH THE CLIMB

Ok, so this isn’t a cocktail per se…it’s bourbon served straight up with a twist.  In part 1 In part 1 of our “So, What’s the Scoop with the Coupe” series, we mentioned that coupe glasses are perfect for cocktails that are served without ice and are also a stylish way to sip spirits.  Well, this Bourbon is served with an ice cube resembling the peak of a mountain.  It’s a reminder that life isn’t perfect, but your coupe glass can be!

How to Choose a Coupe Glass

Pro Tips for Serving Coupe Cocktails

• Always chill your glass before serving
• Avoid overfilling (keeps presentation clean)
• Use fresh citrus for brighter flavor
• Garnish intentionally (lemon twists, cherries, herbs)

FAQs About Coupe Glass Cocktails

Turn heads at your next soiree with our high-quality Coupe Glasses, perfect for your home bar. With their breathtaking beauty, these glasses flawlessly accent any special occasion. As a bonus, save 15% on all Coupe Glasses with code COUPE15.  Click SHOP NOW to save.

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Happy sipping!