The 5 Best Nick and Nora Glasses of 2024

The right cocktail glassware can make or break a cocktail, which is why every home mixologist needs a set of Nick and Nora glasses. These sophisticated, stemmed glasses are the perfect size and shape for a variety of classic and modern cocktails. Plus, you'd be able to immediately spot these unique bell-shaped glasses on any home bar cart.

“To me, a Nick and Nora glass is the new aged martini glass,” says bartender and content creator Saeed “Hawk” House. “Instead of having an obnoxious inverted cone-shaped glass that is the martini glass which is known for not keeping the juice in the glass, the Nick and Nora Glass is the perfectly sized and shaped glass for spirit-forward cocktails.”

If you’re looking to mix up a perfectly balanced, elegant martini or Manhattan, or a modern classic like the Paper Plane, here are our five favorite Nick and Nora glasses as recommended by bartenders.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

SALE

Riedel Nick and Nora Cocktail Glasses at Amazon ~~$45~~ $31

Jump to Review

Best Value:

Viski Raye Nick and Nora Glasses at Amazon $26

Jump to Review

Best Splurge:

Serax Handmade Grace Glassware by Ann Demeulemeester Nick and Nora Glasses at Food52 $104

Jump to Review

Best Statement:

Bormioli Rocco Liberty Nick & Nora Glasses at Amazon $65

Jump to Review

Best Large:

Riedel Drink Specific Glassware Nick & Nora Glass - Large at Amazon $55

Jump to Review

Best Overall

Riedel Nick and Nora Cocktail Glasses

PHOTO: Amazon

Orig. $45 $31 at Amazon $45 at Wayfair $45 at Walmart

Pros

These glasses have a stylish and understated design that makes them work with many different cocktails. They are also dishwasher safe.

Cons

They are quite delicate and require a bit of extra care when handling.

Reidel is well known for producing quality glassware, and their Drink Specific Nick and Nora glasses are no exception. “The Riedel glasses are my favorite,” House says. These sleek glasses are stylish and minimal, making them perfectly suited for classic stirred cocktails. With around a 5-ounce capacity, it can easily fit stirred drinks like the Martini and smaller shaken drinks like the daiquiri as well.

We think these understated and versatile glasses are the perfect set for anyone who is new to cocktails and is looking for the right pair of Nick and Nora glasses that can be used for a variety of different beverages, from classic stirred cocktails to nonalcoholic drinks.

Capacity: 4.95 ounces | Material: Glass | Height: 6.2 inches | Number in set: 2

Best Value

Viski Raye Nick and Nora Glasses

PHOTO: Amazon

$26 at Amazon View on Viski.com

Pros

An angular design offers a new look for classic cocktails, and their 6-ounce capacity offers a bit of extra space for higher-volume drinks.

Cons

Because of their unique shape, these glasses may not be the right fit for every cocktail.

These affordable Nick and Nora glasses from Viski offer a more angular, stylized appearance than the typical bowl-shaped glasses. With ample capacity and a dishwasher-safe build to go with their unique design, these glasses are tailor-made for all of your favorite classic cocktails, especially stirred cocktails with a bit more volume, like a Vieux Carré. Whatever cocktail is served in these glasses is guaranteed to have a vintage, yet original look.

Capacity: 6 ounces | Material: Glass | Height: 5.5 inches | Number in set: 2

Best Splurge

Serax Handmade Grace Glassware by Ann Demeulemeester Nick and Nora Glasses

$104 at Food52 View on Anndemeulemeester.com

Pros

The unique flared opening gives drinks a classic, elegant look.

Cons

These glasses could be prohibitively expensive for some home mixologists. Plus, they are hand wash only.

If you’re ready to spend big to get the perfect set of Nick and Nora glasses, you can’t do much better than this set that was conceptualized by Belgian designer Ann Demeulemeester. In an inspired design decision, these crystal glasses have a flared opening, giving them a look that hearkens back to the era of extravagant, pre-prohibition cocktail lounges.

Of course, this set is on the pricier end of the spectrum, but for those who want their craft cocktails to wow their guests, these mouth-blown crystal glasses will impress. We think they'd also make an excellent gift for cocktail lovers.

Capacity: 5 ounces | Material: Lead-free crystal | Height: 6.88 inches | Number in set: 4

Best Statement

Bormioli Rocco Liberty Nick & Nora Glasses

PHOTO: Amazon

$65 at Amazon View on Gilt.com

Pros

These glasses come in a set of 6, perfect for hosting cocktail parties. They are also dishwasher safe.

Cons

The engraving might be a bit formal for some settings.

These glasses from Bormioli are perfect for any host who wants to make a statement. Each glass is engraved with an elegant filigree design that gives a unique flourish to any cocktail. “Those Bormioli Rocco’s look gorgeous,” House says. “I may have to cop that set for my house.” The shape and capacity are in the same range as most other Nick and Nora glasses on the market, so there is no loss of functionality with these glasses. Best yet, these glasses come in an affordable pack of six. They’re perfect for any Prohibition-themed cocktail party.

Capacity: 5.25 ounces | Material: Glass | Height: 6 inches | Number in set: 6

Best Large

Riedel Drink Specific Glassware Nick & Nora Glass - Large

PHOTO: Amazon

$55 at Amazon $55 at Wayfair View on Riedel.com

Pros

These glasses have an increased capacity for high-volume cocktails, plus a classic design similar to our top pick.

Cons

They are significantly taller than other sets of glasses.

If you want to serve higher-volume cocktails in a Nick and Nora glass, the standard 5-ounce glass just isn’t going to cut it. When size matters, we recommend Riedel’s new heavy-duty, 7-ounce Nick and Nora glasses. These larger glasses have a similar simple and sophisticated design as our top pick. The major differences are the height, which measures nearly 9 inches, and the bowl is elongated to accommodate more liquid.

"I recently tested these glasses, and I've grown to like their slightly roomier bowl and sturdy base," says commerce editor Danielle St. Pierre. "They are great for entertaining, and the optic design makes them elegant and eye-catching." If you’re ready to mix up a Hemmingway Daiquiri, or maybe a mini frozen margarita, these Reidel glasses are up for the task.

Capacity: 6.98 ounces | Material: Glass | Height: 8.82 inches | Number in set: 2

Factors to Consider

Capacity

One of the biggest factors when looking for glassware is capacity. Bartenders are often very careful about the “wash line” of a drink, meaning the level the drink reaches in each glass. If a glass is too big, the cocktail will look too small, or as if someone had already taken a sip or two. The standard size for a Nick and Nora glass is around five ounces, which is just enough to hold a drink that has three ounces of ingredients after it has been diluted.

Care

When shopping for glassware, it's important to note whether each set is dishwasher-safe or not. For home use, hand washing one or two glasses is not a big deal, but if you’re serving a higher volume of drinks, dishwasher-safe glassware will make cleaning up easier.

Height

Height can vary across different designs, but most standard Nick and Nora glasses measure about six inches in height. The height of a glass doesn’t influence functionality much but could impact storage.

Number in Set

The number of glasses included in a set is also important to consider. If you intend on hosting cocktail parties, a set of six or more might work best. If you’re short on cabinet space, or buying the glasses for a gift, a set of two glasses will work just fine.

Frequently Asked Questions

What cocktails are served in a Nick and Nora glass?

“The best cocktails for the Nick and Nora glass would be martinis, Manhattans, and any other spirit-forward cocktail that are three ounces before dilution,” House says. Because Nick and Nora glasses have stems, any other cocktail that is shaken or stirred and served up (without ice) can also work as long as the overall volume will fit in the glass.
What’s the story behind the name of Nick and Nora glasses?

Smaller, stemmed glassware was brought back into prominence by legendary bartender Dale DeGroff at the Rainbow Room in New York City. DeGroff started referring to this specific style as “Nick and Nora” glasses after the main characters from the 1934 movie “The Thin Man”. In this film, Nick and Nora Charles are often seen sipping martinis from the glassware that now bears their names. The name caught on and is now an industry-wide standard; it feels like glassware with a vintage vibe for good reason.
How are Nick and Nora glasses different from coupes or martini glasses?

What separates a Nick and Nora glass from other stemmed glassware like the coupe or martini glass, is the shape of the bowl. The wider coupe and V-shaped martini glass have a wider opening as opposed to the deeper bowl shape of the Nick and Nora Glass. “When compared to the martini glass, Nick and Nora’s are more functional when it comes to keeping the drink within the walls of the glass,” House explains.

Our Expertise

Dylan Ettinger is a Los Angeles-based writer who specializes in spirits, cocktails, and coffee with hands-on experience visiting distilleries and bars all through the US, Europe, Mexico, and the Caribbean. He is also a long-time hospitality professional with over a decade of experience tending bar, and working in specialty coffee.

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Tell us why!