The Best Rocks Glasses, According to Bartenders

For a rocks glass with personality, this ten-ounce one is big enough to hold a cocktail but small enough that it doesn’t swallow a small pour of whiskey.Erika Flowers, bar lead atCompere Lapinin New Orleans, says this Arcoroc glass has become a “tried and true” addition to the restaurant’s glass lineup. “It has a solid weight to it, a picturesque design that makes for a nice grip, and I must admit it has withstood a few clumsy moments behind the bar,” she says.

“Riedel glassware is the ideal combination of minimalist elegance and functional design,” says Steve Groom, general manager atCosterain New Orleans. “Their old-fashioned rocks glass is reliably sturdy, thoughtfully compact, and comfortable in your hand. Since sight is the first sense used when judging a cocktail, I love Riedel for allowing the contents of the glass to speak for themselves — a clean, unobtrusive frame.” Groom says that this is the ideal glass for an old-fashioned, Sazerac, or a neat pour of your favorite spirit.

Minimalist and creative bartenders alike will enjoy Glasvin’s glass. It’s thinner-walled, with no etching or adornment, and holds just shy of ten ounces.Juyoung Kang, director of beverages at Fontainebleau Las Vegas, says she particularly loves Glasvin’s line of glassware because its simplicity allows the cocktail inside to shine. “It’s easy to make cocktails look amazing in a fancy and ornate glass,” she says. “But when you have a good base like Glasvin glassware, it allows you to show off your vision.”

These 1950s-inspired glasses look like your basic rocks glass from a distance, but up close, they have an intricate laser-etched design around the top that gives them a touch of class. “We love these glasses because, in addition to being beautiful, they tick the boxes for what we’re looking for in a well-made rocks glass,” saysTyson Buhler, the director of food and beverage for Gin & Luck, the hospitality company that owns Death & Co. “The heavy bottom gives the glass weight to feel substantial in your hand while still having a fine lip, which allows the drinker to better experience the texture of a great spirit.”

Brynn Smith, bar director at West Hollywood’s Bar Next Door, likes this no-frills Libbey rocks glass “because its elegant design enhances the visual appeal of my cocktails,” she says. “The weight and balance of Libbey glasses provide a satisfying feel in your hand, making it my go-to choice for a premium cocktail experience.” She says she appreciates the glasses’ durability and ability to handle frequent washing. “The clarity of Libbey glasses allows me to present my cocktails with precision, highlighting the layers and ingredients of every drink,” she says.

Libbey’s glasses are also a go-to forLP O’Brien, winner of Netflix’sDrink Masters. She specifically loves the 10.5-ounce set of thick-bottomed glasses from the Reserve line, which, she says, “strike the perfect balance between style and functionality.” O’Brien says they’re also comfortable to hold, making them a hit for both bartenders and guests. Their size makes them versatile for a wide range of cocktails.

Sometimes, you don’t need two rocks glasses; you need 200.Seth Dempsey, bar director atthe Sixpence Wedding + Event Space, recommends Acopa rocks glasses for anyone looking to buy (and store) a ton of glasses. He says the glasses are highly durable, and the tapered shape has a nice feel in your hand. Even better, the glasses have a line break at 1.5 oz, making it extra easy to measure neat pours without ajigger.

Kimura’s handmade, super-thin, and lightweight rocks glass exudes class. It comes recommended byAlex Jump, director of operations and co-founder of the hospitality industry organizationFocus on HealthandTales of the Cocktail’s 2024 Bar Mentor of the Year. She says the seven-ounce glass is perfect for old-fashioneds; however, “it is delicate. Maybe better for a special occasion or a special pour.”

Karl Góranowski, beverage director for Tucson’sBarbata, Tough Luck Club, andReilly Craft Pizza and Drink, loves this particular bodega-style vessel, which is straight-sided and made of tempered glass. This 16-ounce glass is the largest option on this list. Góranowski recommends it for “when you’re using big ice” and for wine and beer, making it an especially versatile addition to your glass cabinet. “I think this is the most all-purpose glass you can possibly have. Other than hot drinks, I would put anything in this, but especially a drink that’s going on a large two-by-two-inch ice cube. Instead of having a pint and a rocks glass and a collins glass, you can just have a bodega glass like this one.”