Their distinctive V-shaped cone tapers to a shallow bowl, met by a long elegant stem that sits effortlessly in the drinker’s hand. Far from merely an aesthetic consideration, this also has practical elements, ensuring the beverage avoids warming and remains perfectly chilled. After all, who wants a tepid Martini? There are two ways: First, keep a martini glass in your fridge. Alternatively, while you’re building your martini in a shaker or mixing tin, fill your martini glass with ice to chill it. As you can probably guess, the most common material for a martini glass is, err, glass. There are many different formulations that vary in strength and price, however, so not every type of glass is the same. And then there's crystal, a special form of glass made with added minerals that give it extra strength and sparkle. While crystal is pricier than regular glass, it’s sturdier and will last longer. Other martini "glasses" can be made of more unusual materials like plastic, steel, or ceramic. It’s your choice! Traditionally, a martini is made with gin, and purists would agree. You can, however, opt for vodka or a split-base martini.

During at-home testing, we discovered that this glass was quite large for a single martini. At more than 11 ounces of capacity, you could realistically fit a double in there. If you're a fan of a full serving of olives in your glass, the larger capacity of this glass allows for a full bounty of brine and olive. The extra-large feel of the glass might not be a bonus for you if you like a drink that hews more closely to traditional volumes.For my money, I would never want to drink a martini out of anything but a coupe glass," says Jordan Johnson, head bartender at The Register. "As a bartender who is always thinking about the beauty of the finished product, the coupe glass affords a smooth curvature in its lines as well as a slightly tapered mouth. This gives you the ability to position the garnish closer to the center of the glass, which keeps all aromatic elements of the garnish closer to home." Built to withstand any accidents, JoyJolt’s stemless martini glasses are crafted from durable, dishwasher-safe, lead-free crystal. The two octagonal glasses have a unique, off-base design with an ergonomically curved edge, so they will nestle comfortably in your hand. Plus, the angular design is a bit of a conversation starter. We felt this particular iteration of the coupe glass to be an excellent entry-level option because it's sturdy, heavy, and affordable, with a design that's welcoming without being overly fussy. Plus, with a 7-ounce capacity, the coupes feature a standard lip and solid pressed glass construction. The glass held a generous 6 ounces (7 technically, with room for a wash line). Just keep in mind that the eye-catching design can come at a cost, as the long stem is more prone to breaking. It's always a good idea to pour a cold drink into a cold glass. While making your martini in a shaker or mixing glass, add a scoop of ice to the glass to let it chill. Then, discard the ice before straining the drink into the glass. Alternatively, store a few glasses in your fridge to keep them cold and handy at all times.

Most martini glasses are made from glass or crystal. Plastic stemware is not ideal for martinis. Glass martini glasses are more common and usually less expensive. Crystal can be spun very thin, which makes for stemware with an elegant and luxurious look and feel — a thin edge can also make the spirit’s subtle flavors easier to notice. Kate Dingwall is an experienced wine and spirits writer with a concerningly large glassware collection. She loves a Gibson martini. We loved the durability of these glasses and the fact that they're dishwasher safe, too. And the glass is small enough that garnishes perch perfectly on the edge. Your martini should be filled to cover 85 to 95% of the glass. This will ensure the glass is full but will also allow room for the inevitable sloshing and occasional spilling.

With a curved silhouette and an elongated lip, these glasses are a top choice for bartenders, as the liquid is less likely to spill in the glass. They're also machine-made, which means they're inexpensive, and you can see a slight seam, but they're still good quality. Our at-home tester noted that while testing this nearly 8-ounce glass with a traditional martini recipe, it looked a little sparse with just 4 ounces in it. (But perhaps you need an excuse to make a double martini!) While testing, the glass felt luxurious in the hand—the extra-long stem felt akin to a Zalto wine glass. Our tester found this coupe, designed by renowned bartender Rémy Savage, to be a showstopper and like something out of a "Mad Men" scene. It's truly an elegant, celebratory glass that feels like it's made for a special occasion. Kate Dingwallis a freelance writer whose work focuses on food, drinks, and travel. She is based in Toronto and holds a Wine & Spirits Education Trust Level III qualification. She loves a good martini.

These 8-ounce glasses also come in an embossed box, making them perfect for gifting to the martini lover in your life who appreciates a stemless glass. But for the purist, the design of this is a bit too unorthodox.In our tests, we particularly loved how the curved shape of the glass makes it easy to walk around with the drink; there's less of a risk of spilling over like the typical v-shaped martini glass. We like that it's practical, sturdy, and dishwasher-safe, all while retaining a classic and nostalgic feel. At Cumbria Crystal, you will discover a collection of crystal Martini glasses that go the extra mile to achieve luxury, durability and versatility. Carefully crafted by our team of Lakes-based artisans, we painstakingly craft the finest lead crystal and sands to produce drinkware of the utmost clarity and luminance. Flexible, fashionable and thoughtfully designed.