by Katie
I am a sucker for a well-made cocktail. Fancy bitters, delicious whiskeys, a perfect citrus twist garnish- I love it all.
Of course, a perfect cocktail deserves a perfect glass. Enter the coupe:
Many people think of coupes as old-fashioned champagne glasses. Truth is, they're not really good for champagne- too much surface area allows the bubbles to dissipate too quickly.
But they're PERFECT for cocktails, particularly those that are made up of mostly booze, with only a little citrus or other mixer. The martini glasses you usually see in stores average between 8 and 12 ounces. TWELVE. That is a lot of volume when your drink consists of vodka, vermouth, and a hint of citrus or olive, yes? Myself, I like to be able to consider having more than one drink without risking hospitalization. A classic coupe holds more like 4-5 ounces- the perfect amount for a booze-based cocktail. Plus, you get that old-timey speakeasy vintage vibe that all the hip cocktail bars are going for these days.
Sadly, coupes can be a little hard to find. If you want a bunch (or if you can convince the neighbors to go in on a set with you) you can buy them from a restaurant supply store. These are exeactly the ones we used at the bar where I used to work, and they are a great value at less that 3 bucks each. Trouble is, you have to buy by the case (36).
If you don't have friends or family looking to split a case of glassware with you, there are other options.
An absolutely classic pair of coupes can be purchased for $24 at The New York First Company:
They're replicas of the ones used at the famed Stork Club, and they're absolutely true to style. If that's still a little rich for your blood, it's worth looking around: I found a great set for about 5 bucks each by searching the vintage listings on etsy. A similar listing is available here. You can also check out ebay.
Finally, if you're feeling very fancy, or are looking for a special wedding gift for a cocktail lover, some high end glassware brands sell some gorgeous coupes:
Kate Spade, 2 for $80, available at Macy's.
Monique Lhullier for Royal Doulton, $30 each at amazon
Ridel, $29.99 for a set of two at Bed Bath and Beyond.
Go forth and imbibe!
SIGH, I've always wanted coupe glasses. Maybe when I break my two remaining champagne flutes, I'll finally get some coupes!
Posted by: Home Sweet Sarah | April 05, 2011 at 07:53 PM
We have a random collection of these (we got a big box for $2 at an estate sale), and although we use them all the time (for champagne!) I never knew they had an official name. I feel extra fancy now that I don't have to call them "champagne bowls." :)
Posted by: agirlandaboy | April 06, 2011 at 11:35 AM