Margarita Glass
Also known as: Margarita bowl, coupette
Definition
A specialized stemmed glass with a wide, stepped bowl designed for serving Margaritas, featuring a broad rim perfect for salt.
## What Is a Margarita Glass?
A Margarita glass is a stemmed glass with a distinctive double-bowl shape — a wide, flat outer rim surrounding a deeper inner bowl — designed specifically for serving Margaritas. The broad outer rim is the defining functional feature: it provides ample surface area for the salt (or sugar, or Tajín) rim that is the Margarita's signature garnish. Standard Margarita glasses hold 10 to 12 ounces.
## The Origins of the Margarita
The Margarita's exact origin is disputed among multiple claimants from the late 1930s through the 1950s. Dallas socialite Margarita Sames reportedly created the drink at her Acapulco vacation home in 1948. Separately, Carlos "Danny" Herrera claims to have created it around 1938 at his Tijuana-area restaurant. What is consistent: the combination of tequila, orange liqueur, and fresh lime juice served in a salt-rimmed glass was established in Mexican bar culture by the 1940s.
## The Salt Rim
The Margarita glass exists primarily because of the salt rim. The wide, flat outer lip provides ample surface for flaky kosher salt or sea salt. To rim properly: run a fresh lime wedge around the outer edge of the rim only (never the inner edge), dip the moistened rim into a plate of coarse salt at a 45-degree angle, and rotate gently. Rim the outside of the glass only so guests who prefer unsalted sips can choose.
## When to Use This Glass vs. Alternatives
The dedicated Margarita glass excels for classic presentation. For a frozen Margarita, a larger hurricane glass or rocks glass often works better. Many craft bars serve Margaritas on the rocks in a double rocks glass as a clean, modern alternative.
## FAQ
**Can I use a rocks glass?**
Absolutely. Many craft bars do exactly this.
**Tajín vs. salt?**
Tajín has become popular as an alternative rim treatment, especially for spicy or mezcal variations.
💡 Pro Tips
- Rim only the outer edge of the glass — salt on the inside edge contaminates the drink
- Use flaky kosher salt or coarse sea salt — fine table salt is too intense and dissolves too quickly
- Try Tajín as a rim alternative, especially for spicy or mezcal Margarita variations
- The stepped bowl actually prevents spilling better than it looks — the outer rim catches overflow
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- Rimming the inside edge of the glass with salt, which flavors every sip whether guests want it or not
- Using fine iodized table salt, which dissolves too quickly and tastes harsh
- Forgetting to rim the glass when the salt rim is the drink's visual signature
- Overfilling a large Margarita glass and losing the visual balance of the presentation
