Coupe glasses are mainly used for serving sparkling wine and cocktails served “up” —that is, drinks without ice. Their wide bowl and stem make them popular for classics like a Daiquiri, Sidecar, Aviation, Martini, and Manhattan , and they’re also used for elegant presentation at parties or tastings.

What they’re good for

  • Champagne and sparkling wine. Coupe glasses were originally associated with champagne service and are still used for it, especially when presentation matters.
  • Classic cocktails. They’re a go-to for shaken or stirred cocktails served chilled and strained.
  • Showy serving. Their shape gives drinks a vintage, upscale look, which is part of why they’re still popular.

Why people choose them

The wide bowl lets aromas open up more than in a flute, and the stem helps keep your hand off the bowl so the drink stays colder longer. The tradeoff is that sparkling drinks can lose bubbles faster than they would in a flute.

If you want, I can also give you a quick list of the best cocktails to serve in a coupe glass.