A proper rocks glass is one of the most essential pieces of glassware. The short tumblers get their name thanks to what they’re typically used for, serving spirits neat or “on the rocks.” But the bar-cart staple can also be used for everything from old-fashioneds to negronis and even margaritas. A typical rocks glass is short and stout and has a height of around 3.5 inches and a relatively similar diameter. While they’re designed primarily for those two-ounce neat pours, the glasses usually accommodate between 7 to 12 ounces of liquid, so they can hold a proper cocktail as well.
There are many different rocks-glass options out there, ranging from glasses that cost just a few bucks to those you’ll want to pass down to the next generation, each with their own pros and cons. As a spirits writer who holds a certificate in whiskey from the Edinburgh Whisky Academy and has over 300 bottles of whiskey in her home, I have used hundreds of rocks glasses myself.
For this guide, in addition to my own favorites, I spoke with nine world-class bartenders to get their recommendations for what glasses to put behind your home bar, based on what they’ve chosen for theirs. Most bartenders recommend selecting one made of clear glass or crystal if your budget allows, so you can also fully experience the color of the drink inside.
Bartenders noted that rocks glasses with heavier bases can provide stability and give the glass a premium fill, and thicker glasses, while sometimes a bit heavier to hold, are also more resistant to breakage. They will also stay colder a bit longer, as it’s more difficult for the heat from your hand to reach the ice cube. Many thicker glasses are dishwasher safe and easier to stack, allowing you to store a few more in your cabinets than thinner, more breakable options would. But there are also situations that call for thinner-walled rocks glasses, and I’ve included a range of types below. If you’re looking for other types of cocktail glassware, we’ve also written about the best coupe glasses and highball glasses.
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 at Compere Lapin in 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 at Costera in 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,” says Tyson 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 for LP O’Brien, winner of Netflix’s Drink 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 at the 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 a jigger.
Kimura’s handmade, super-thin, and lightweight rocks glass exudes class. It comes recommended by Alex Jump, director of operations and co-founder of the hospitality industry organization Focus on Health and Tales 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’s Barbata, Tough Luck Club, and Reilly 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.”
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