Of all the glasses associated with cocktails the most iconic image in drinking culture may be the elegantly held cocktail coupe. Although not formed from Marie Antoinette’s breast, this myth makes for a good story. The coupe is a direct descendant from the chalice, one of the oldest drinking vessels. An essential for the bar since nearly half of the classics are served in a coupe.

The rocks/dof (double old fashioned) is the other essential for the bar. The origin of this glass is the story of the classic stirred cocktail. The cocktail defined was first published in 1806, “…a stimulating liquor composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water, and bitters.” The method for combining these ingredients became known as making a cocktail “the old-fashioned way.”

Highballs are a genre of drink older than cocktails and made of spirits with water and some other liquid served over plenty of ice. These tumbler-type glasses make elegant water and beverage glasses. They add beauty and sophistication to any dinner party. These versatile glasses can be part of creating and cultivating traditions around your celebrations, the seasons and holidays.

The Boulevardier, Gin Martini, Manhattan, Negroni, Sazerac are stirred classic cocktails. Stirring is required when ingredients are liquor to liquor. Alcohols have similar densities and are best incorporated by stirring the liquors around ice. Waterworks magic by releasing the flavors plus it slowly lowers the relative proof from mouth-numbing strong to a more enjoyable level.

When cocktails were introduced in the early 1800s, bartenders had already been mixing concoctions for some hundred-plus years tossing drinks between two mugs. The late 1800s brought innovation and invention to the bartending trade. The first U.S. Patent for a cocktail shaker was in 1872. The 3-piece cobbler shaker was adopted early and is now the most familiar of shakers.