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The coupe — that wide, shallow, saucer-shaped stemmed glass — fell out of favour for decades and is firmly back. It’s not just for Champagne. Here are 10 ways to actually use a set.
My top pick: A set of four to six classic coupes in plain or lightly textured glass. They’re the most versatile “special” glass — cocktails, Champagne, dessert, even a scoop of sorbet — and they instantly make a drink feel like an occasion.
1. Cocktails Served “Up”
Any cocktail served without ice — a martini, a daiquiri, a gimlet, a sidecar — belongs in a coupe. The wide bowl shows off the drink’s colour and clarity, and the stem keeps your hand off the chilled glass. This is its main job. Shop coupe cocktail glasses on Amazon →
2. Champagne, the Retro Way
Coupes were the original Champagne glass before the flute took over. They let the aroma out (a flute traps it) at the cost of the bubbles fading a little faster. For a toast where people drink quickly, they’re perfect — and very glamorous. Shop champagne coupe glasses on Amazon →
3. Espresso Martinis for a Crowd
The espresso martini’s foamy top looks best in a coupe, and the shape makes it easy to batch and pour. A tray of them is an instant party centrepiece. Chill the glasses first. Shop coupe glasses set on Amazon →
4. Non-Alcoholic Aperitifs
A zero-proof spritz, a fancy cordial and soda, or a shrub served in a coupe with a citrus twist feels just as special as a cocktail. It’s a nice way to make sure non-drinkers get a proper glass too. Same ritual, no alcohol. Shop vintage coupe glasses on Amazon →
5. Dessert Service
A coupe holds a small serving of mousse, panna cotta, tiramisu, trifle, or a scoop of sorbet beautifully, and it looks far more considered than a bowl. Great for a dinner party where you want the pudding to arrive with a bit of ceremony. Shop dessert coupe glasses on Amazon →
6. A Prawn or Seafood Cocktail
The classic retro starter — prawns, shredded lettuce, marie rose sauce — is served in a coupe for a reason. It’s having a knowing comeback on restaurant menus. Chill the glass and pile it high. Shop coupe glasses on Amazon →
7. Nuts, Olives, and Bar Snacks
Set a few coupes out with olives, marcona almonds, or wasabi peas when people arrive. They’re the right size for grazing and they dress up a coffee table or bar cart. Cheap way to look like you’ve made an effort. Shop small coupe glasses set on Amazon →
8. A Floating Candle or Flower
Fill a coupe with water and float a single bloom or a tealight down the centre of a table. A row of them makes a low, elegant runner that doesn’t block conversation. Uses the odd glasses from a broken set. Shop coupe glasses bulk on Amazon →
9. Coloured or Gold-Rimmed for Impact
A tinted coupe — pink, green, smoke — or one with a gold rim turns any drink into a statement. Four is enough. They look wonderful just displayed on open shelving between uses. Shop gold rim coupe glasses on Amazon →
10. Care: They’re Fragile
The wide, thin bowl chips easily, so hand-wash coupes and store them upright with space around each one. Don’t stack them. Pour slowly — they’re easy to overfill and they spill if you walk too fast, which is part of their charm. Shop coupe glasses set of 6 on Amazon →
The bottom line
A set of coupes earns its space by doing cocktails, Champagne, and dessert equally well. Chill them before use, hand-wash them after, and don’t fill them so full you can’t carry them.