Margarita glass

Glassware

The margarita glass is a stemmed glass with a wide, stepped bowl, made for salted rims and for shaken or frozen Margaritas.

Large (grande) sizes: 15 to 17 oz (440 to 500 ml)
Shape: likened by Difford's Guide to an upside-down sombrero
Capacity: 8 to 12 oz (240 to 350 ml)
Used for: Margaritas, shaken and served up or frozen, and other frozen drinks

What margarita glass means

Order a Margarita up or frozen and this is the glass you will usually see. The wide top gives a salted rim room, so each sip picks up a little salt with the lime. Frozen versions are blended with ice, so the glass also holds other frozen cocktails. Difford's Guide likens its curvy shape to an upside-down sombrero.

Margarita glasses come in several sizes. The common size holds 8 to 12 oz (240 to 350 ml), enough for one shaken drink. Large (grande) sizes hold 15 to 17 oz (440 to 500 ml), which leaves room for a frozen drink and its ice. The larger sizes are the ones to pick for frozen drinks. Check the size on the menu, since a frozen drink fills a small glass quickly.

How to serve a drink in a margarita glass

Prepare the glass before you mix, since the salted rim has to be ready when the drink is poured.

1.Wet the outer edge of the glass with a lime wedge, then roll it in salt before you fill it.
2.Shake the Margarita with ice and pour it straight up into the glass, or blend a frozen one and pour it in.
3.Serve it straight away, before a frozen drink starts to melt.

Margarita glass compared

CoupeA margarita glass is coupe-like, with a stepped, wider bowl. A shaken Margarita served up also works in a coupe.
Rocks glassA Margarita on the rocks is usually served in a rocks glass instead, poured over ice.

Related terms

Ingredients

Put it to use in your next drink

Garçon explains every step as you make the drink.