The Best Cocktails to Serve in a Coupe Glass

Coupe glass cocktails are a vibe. With their low, curvy bowls and elegant stems, they’re built for style, and steeped in history. Born in 17th-century France and glamourised during America’s Prohibition era, these iconic glasses were once the darlings of speakeasies and silver screens. They’ve been making a serious comeback, and honestly? We’re here for it.

Unlike the sharper, V-shaped Martini glass, the coupe brings a soft, vintage energy to the party. It’s ideal for cocktail glass types served “up” (think shaken or stirred, no ice) and adds a smooth, cinematic finish to whatever you’re pouring. Whether you’re mixing a Cosmo or a Paper Plane, the coupe takes it to the next level.

What is a coupe glass?

Let’s talk about the coupe—that curvy, stemmed beauty that’s been making waves on bar carts everywhere. With its shallow bowl and elegant silhouette, the elegant cocktail glass first popped up in 17th-century France, originally designed as a coupe de Champagne. There’s even a cheeky rumour that it was modelled after Marie Antoinette’s breast, but hey, historians aren’t exactly backing that one.

The coupe really found its groove during the Roaring Twenties and the Prohibition era, where it became a symbol of glamour, jazz, and cocktails served on the sly. Later, as dry drinks took over and styles changed, the sharp-edged Martini glass stole the spotlight.

Fast-forward a few decades, and the coupe is firmly back in the mix. Bartenders and home mixologists have rediscovered its vintage charm and use it to show off both old-school favourites and bold new serves. Whether you’re throwing it back with a Sidecar or mixing up something fresh, this glass adds instant flair to your pour.

What drinks belong in a coupe glass?

Rule of thumb: if it’s served up-style, there’s a good chance it belongs in a coupe. These are shaken cocktails or stirred drinks that are chilled with ice in the shaker or mixing glass, but served without it. That means they’re silky, undiluted, and perfectly balanced when they hit the glass.

The coupe shines with classics like the Sidecar or Last Word, but it’s also a go-to for modern builds like the Paper Plane. Common spirits in coupe cocktails include gin, cognac, bourbon, tequila, and herbal liqueurs; basically anything you’d find in a bold, flavour-packed recipe that doesn’t need ice hanging around.

If the cocktail’s been aerated, chilled, and is all about the aroma or texture, the coupe’s your best friend. If you’re hunting down the best cocktails for coupe glass serving, or just keen to try some Insta-worthy coupe cocktail recipes, you’re in for a treat. Let’s get into it.

1. Cosmopolitan

Bringing together citrus-infused vodka, orange liqueur, fresh lime juice, and cranberry juice, with an orange peel garnish for a touch of elegance, the harmonious Cosmo is a gorgeous drink that beautifully balances citrussy sweetness with the invigorating sharpness of lime. The coupe glass exudes classic sophistication, elevating the visual appeal of this classy cocktail.   

We love making a Cosmo with SKYY Infusions Citrus Vodka because its crisp lemon and lime flavours add a bright, zesty kick. This infused vodka blends seamlessly with tart cranberry and fresh lime juice, making for a fresh and lively sip. It’s the perfect base for a Cosmopolitan that’s fun, flavourful, and effortlessly stylish.

Learn more: 10 Cocktail Glass Types to Level Up Your DIY Drinks 

2. Italian Gentleman

Combine crimson-red Campari and mellow bourbon, and you get the Italian Gentleman cocktail. The wide bowl of a coupe glass allows this drink’s aromas to be fully appreciated, enhancing the overall drinking experience. 

Make it with: Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon

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3. Lime Daiquiri

The classic Lime Daiquiri uses only three simple ingredients, and the recipe is a delicate balance between the sweet and the sour. Served in a coupe glass, the stem prevents the warmth of the hand from affecting the temperature of your perfectly chilled cocktail. 

Make it with: Wray and Nephew White Overproof Rum

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4. Sidecar

One classic cocktail that has stood the test of time is the Sidecar, and there’s a good reason why it has remained popular for over a century—it’s downright delicious! If you’re hosting a cocktail party, serving it in a coupe is a great choice. The broad base of the glass provides stability, reducing the risk of spills and offering a secure grip.     

Make it with: Bisquit & Dubouché Cognac VSOP

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5. Rob Roy

The coupe glass is nothing if not versatile and makes a great receptacle for a Rob Roy cocktail as well. Sweet, smoky, and strong, this daring drink does its Scottish namesake justice, and looks extremely dapper in a coupe to boot. 

Make it with: Cinzano Rosso

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6. Gibson

The coupe glass carries a rich history, adding a touch of nostalgia and tradition to the cocktail-serving experience. Serve up a Gibson with its dainty cocktail onion in this glass to give it that real Queen’s Gambit vibe.  

Make it with: Bulldog Gin

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7. Mudslide

The coupe stem allows for comfortable holding without warming the drink, ensuring a pleasurable sipping experience. This makes it a great choice for dessert drinks like the Mudslide, which is often served after dinner, and goes down a treat when it’s extra cold and creamy.  

Make it with: SKYY Vodka 

8. Greyhound

The coupe offers a unique and memorable presentation for cocktails. So, if you’re keen to show off pretty drinks like the gorgeous Greyhound, it makes a fine choice indeed.  

9. Lychee Martini

The shallow design of a coupe glass minimizes the chances of spills and drips, maintaining a clean and polished presentation. As such, it makes a great poolside glass for tropical drinks like the lovely Lychee Martini.  

10. Reverse Martini

Cocktails served in coupes often exude a certain charm and allure, making them stand out at any gathering. This is why we love serving classic drinks like the Reverse Martini in this type of glass, to impart a nice time-honoured feel to the whole experience.

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11. Last Word

The wide bowl of a coupe glass allows for gentle swirling, enhancing the aeration of aromatic cocktails. This is why it’s often the go-to glass for serving drinks like the Last Word, which walks the fine line between subtle sweetness and inviting tartness, underpinned by the captivating aroma of ripe cherries and bitter herbs. 

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12. Derby  

Coupes harken back to vintage cocktail culture, adding a retro flair to drinks like the Derby cocktail. This old-school drink is a classic combination of grapefruit juice, bourbon, and honey syrup. The result is a sweetly tart drink that’s sure to be a frontrunner at your next event.

Make it with: Wild Turkey Bourbon

13. Matador

The broad rim of a coupe provides ample space for creative garnishes, which makes adding a decorative touch to a drink a breeze. With cocktails like the Matador, which is quite simple in terms of composition, a fancy bit of garnishing can be a nice touch – try getting expressive with a twisty bit of lemon peel.

Make it with: Reposado Espolón Tequila

14. Bee’s Knees

The moderate size of the coupe ensures a perfect balance between a generous serving and preventing overindulgence. This is great when you are serving a slow sipper like the Bee’s Knees, which is quite spirit-forward.   

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15. Watermelon Daiquiri

Finally, we also love serving drinks like the easy Watermelon Daiquiri in a coupe glass simply because it makes it look cool. Sure, you could go for a Daiquiri glass, but dare to be different and indulge your sense of adventure— the rules are there to be broken…  

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16. Vieux Carré

The Vieux Carré, a classic cocktail from New Orleans, is a sophisticated and complex drink that beautifully balances strong flavours. The wide, shallow bowl of the coupe glass enables you to fully appreciate the complex aromas of the Vieux Carré. As you bring the glass to your lips, the bouquet of rye, cognac, and bitters unfolds, enhancing the overall sensory experience.

Make it with: Averna Amaro

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17. Paper Plane

The Paper Plane is a modern classic cocktail that has gained popularity for its harmonious blend of flavors and striking presentation. The Paper Plane and its many iterations are typically served up, meaning they’re served without ice, typically in a portion of around 120 – 150 ml. The coupe glass’s size is perfect for this volume, ensuring the cocktail maintains its intended balance of ingredients without dilution from melting ice.

Make it with: Aperol

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18. Boulevardier

The Boulevardier is pure old-school swagger; rich bourbon, bold Campari, and sweet vermouth come together in a cocktail that’s smooth, strong, and a little bit mysterious. Served in a coupe, its layered aromas open up beautifully, while the stemmed situation keeps those deep, spirit-forward flavours cool from first sip to last.

Make it with: Wild Turkey Bourbon and Campari

19. Negroni Up

This Negroni variation skips the ice and lets the holy trinity of gin, Campari, and vermouth speak for itself. Stirred down and served up, it’s bold and punchy with a dry edge, and it looks razor sharp in a coupe, where its ruby hue and bittersweet nose can really steal the spotlight.

Make it with: Bulldog Gin and Campari

20. Tequila Daisy

Born from a happy mix-up in post-Prohibition Tijuana, the Tequila Daisy is bright, citrussy, and full of flair, the Margarita’s cheeky ancestor with just as much zing. Poured into a coupe, it brings a splash of sunshine to the party, with a light, lifted feel that suits its playful, unexpected origin story.

Make it with: Espolòn Tequila Blanco

Why it’s worth the glass swap

Let’s be honest: looks matter. A coupe doesn’t just hold your drink, it elevates it. Classic coupe drinks just hit differently when they’re served in the right glass. That curved shape feels great in your hand and catches the light in all the right ways.

Beyond aesthetics, the coupe also sets the stage for effortless elegance. It says “I know what I’m doing” without trying too hard. And while the coupe vs Martini glass debate comes down to preference, the coupe’s rounder silhouette and deeper bowl often make it the comfier, cooler choice, especially for home bartenders trying to impress.

There you have it: 20 amazing coupe-glass cocktails to try at home. For more easy inspiration like this, sign up for our newsletter, and we’ll make sure our latest articles land right in your inbox. In the meantime, visit the Wild Turkey, SKYY Vodka, Aperol, and Campari websites if you want some more retro-cool cocktail inspiration.