Coupe Glass
Also known as: champagne coupe, champagne saucer
Definition
A stemmed glass with a broad, shallow bowl originally designed for Champagne but now primarily used for serving cocktails served up (without ice).
## What Is a Coupe Glass?
A coupe (pronounced COOP) is a stemmed cocktail glass with a broad, shallow, rounded bowl that has become the preferred vessel for cocktails served without ice (called "up" drinks) in the craft cocktail world. The standard coupe holds 5 to 7 ounces. Its wide bowl exposes the liquid's surface to the air above, allowing aromatic compounds to reach the drinker's nose — a meaningful advantage for complex and spirit-forward drinks.
## The Marie Antoinette Story Is Not True
A popular story claims the coupe was modeled on Marie Antoinette's breast. This is apocryphal — the coupe glass predates Marie Antoinette and the shape was used in England as early as the 1660s for Champagne service. The wide, shallow bowl was originally designed to allow the effervescence of early Champagne to dissipate quickly. By the 20th century, the flute had replaced the coupe for Champagne service precisely because the wide bowl kills carbonation — but the coupe found its lasting home in the craft cocktail movement.
## Coupe vs. Martini Glass
Both are stemmed glasses for up drinks, but the coupe has meaningful practical advantages over the V-shaped Martini glass. The coupe's rounded bowl is more stable, less prone to spilling when bumped, and easier to carry without a tray. Many craft bartenders now default to coupes for drinks traditionally served in a Martini glass — the Martini, Cosmopolitan, Manhattan up, and Gimlet all look and function well in a coupe.
## Classic Coupe Cocktails
The coupe suits any shaken cocktail served up: **Daiquiri**, **Sidecar**, **Gimlet**, **Cosmopolitan**, **Last Word**, **Corpse Reviver No. 2**, **Aviation**, **Bee's Knees**, and **Clover Club**. For stirred drinks: **Martini**, **Manhattan up**, and **Negroni up**.
## Chilling Is Not Optional
Coupes must be chilled before service. Keep them in the freezer, or fill with ice water while preparing the drink, emptying just before pouring. Always hold by the stem.
## FAQ
**Is a coupe the same as a Champagne saucer?**
Yes, historically. They are the same shape. "Coupe" is the contemporary cocktail term; "Champagne saucer" is considered dated.
**What size coupe is best for a home bar?**
A 6-ounce coupe is the most versatile.
💡 Pro Tips
- Chill coupes in the freezer for at least 10 minutes before use — an unchilled glass warms a cocktail fast
- Always hold by the stem, never the bowl, to prevent body heat from reaching the drink
- Fill to about half an inch below the rim — the wide, shallow bowl creates spill risk if overfilled
- The rounded bowl is more stable in hand than a V-shaped Martini glass — a meaningful practical advantage
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- Serving in an unchilled coupe — the wide bowl loses temperature quickly
- Overfilling the shallow bowl and spilling while carrying
- Holding the bowl instead of the stem and warming the drink
- Using for drinks served on ice (coupes have no practical way to hold ice)
