Which glass
17 glasses, filtered by how the drink is served - which is the thing you know first, and the thing everything else follows from.
Martini90–300 ml
A stem to keep your hand off it, and a wide surface that gives the aroma straight up.
Coupe150–200 ml
The same job as a Martini glass with a lower centre of gravity, so far less of it ends up on the floor.
Old Fashioned200–300 ml
Heavy base, wide mouth. Takes one large cube and sits still while you muddle in it.
Snifter250–500 ml
The bowl collects aroma and the stem keeps your hand from warming it, though a cognac is often cupped deliberately to warm it.
Cognac and aged spirits, neat
Highball240–350 ml
Tall and straight, so it takes a full load of ice and a mixer without crowding.
Collins300–410 ml
Narrower than a highball, so there is less surface for the carbonation to escape from.
Sling350–400 ml
A footed tall glass. Holds a long drink with fruit juice in it without looking like a highball.
Julep tin350 ml
Metal, so it frosts on the outside when packed with crushed ice, which is half the drink.
Mule mug350–500 ml
Copper, and it frosts the same way. The handle keeps your hand off the cold.
Tiki mug400–600 ml
Carved, opaque and usually enormous. The mug is part of the drink rather than a container for it.
Mai Tai (opens the IBA’s site) · Zombie (opens the IBA’s site) · rum drinks, mostly Pacific in style
Mason jar350–500 ml
A preserving jar with a handle on it. Smoothies and mocktails, and not used much.
Smoothies · Mocktails
Flute180–300 ml
Narrow and tall, so the bubbles have the smallest possible surface to escape through.
French 75 (opens the IBA’s site) · Mimosa (opens the IBA’s site) · Bellini (opens the IBA’s site)
Wine glass300–450 ml
A big bowl for a spritz, and the right glass for an aged spirit if you have no snifter.
Toddy200–300 ml
Handled, and made of something that will not crack. Both non-negotiable when the drink is hot.
Irish Coffee · Hot Toddy · Mulled wine
If it has a stem, hold the stem; if it does not, hold the bottom third. The glassware chapter has the full set with capacities.