What Are Highball Cocktail Glasses?
When serving cocktails, looks matter just as much as taste. The wrong glass can ruin the whole drink experience.
A highball glass is a tall, straight-sided glass used to serve mixed drinks made with ice, spirits, and a larger amount of mixer like soda or juice.
If you’re building a bar—at home or for business—you need to know why this simple glass is a favorite for many classic cocktails. Let’s take a deeper look.
Key Features of Highball Cocktail Glasses
A drink’s appearance changes everything. If the glass is too wide or short, the mix won’t feel balanced.
Highball glasses are tall and slim, holding about 8 to 12 ounces, perfect for spirits mixed with plenty of soda or juice.
Shape and Size: Built for Balance
The tall shape of the highball glass makes it ideal for combining spirits and mixers. The height allows the mixer to spread evenly, and the slim design keeps carbonation longer. The size usually ranges from 8 to 12 ounces, which fits ice, liquor, and a generous pour of soda or tonic.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Shape | Tall, straight sides |
| Common Volume | 8–12 oz (240–355 ml) |
| Use Case | Mixed drinks with more mixer than spirit |
| Best For | Whiskey highball, gin and tonic |
| Handling | Easy to grip, fits standard coasters |
Material: Designed for Durability
Highball glasses are mostly made from soda-lime or crystal glass. Soda-lime is durable and dishwasher-safe. Crystal feels more luxurious but may need handwashing. For bars and restaurants, durability is key.
Function: For Mixing and Showing Off
Because highball glasses are see-through, they let your guests see the drink’s layers and colors. A well-poured gin and tonic with a lime wedge looks refreshing. A rum and coke with lots of ice looks rich and inviting. Visual appeal is a big part of the drink experience, especially in upscale events or bars.
What cocktails are made in a highball glass?
You want to serve classic drinks right. But which cocktails really need a highball glass?
Drinks like gin and tonic, whiskey highball, and rum and coke are traditionally served in highball glasses to balance liquor and mixer.
Classic Cocktails: Why Highball Matters
Many mixed drinks need a tall glass. These drinks usually have more mixer than liquor and lots of ice. That’s where the highball glass shines. The shape keeps the drink cold and bubbly.
| Cocktail Name | Ingredients | Why Highball? |
|---|---|---|
| Gin and Tonic | Gin, tonic water, lime wedge | Keeps tonic fizzy, fits ice well |
| Whiskey Highball | Whiskey, soda water, lemon | Light and refreshing with soda |
| Rum and Coke | Rum, cola, lime | Balances sweet and strong |
| Tequila Sunrise | Tequila, orange juice, grenadine | Layers show well in tall glass |
| Vodka Soda | Vodka, soda water, lemon or lime | Clean and simple |
Mixing Tip: Keep it Cold, Not Watery
Always fill the glass with ice before pouring the spirit. Then add the mixer. This keeps the drink cold without watering it down too fast. The shape helps slow melting, which matters in long events.
What’s the difference between a highball glass and a collin glass?
People often mix these two up. They look alike, but they’re not the same.
A highball glass is shorter and holds less liquid than a Collins glass, which is taller and usually used for more complex cocktails.
Shape, Size, and Style
Collins glasses are taller and narrower. They hold about 12–16 ounces, compared to the highball’s 8–12. The extra space is good for cocktails that need more mixer or more complex builds, like the Tom Collins.
| Feature | Highball Glass | Collins Glass |
|---|---|---|
| Height | Shorter | Taller |
| Volume | 8–12 oz | 12–16 oz |
| Best For | Basic mixed drinks | Complex cocktails |
| Ice Use | Standard cubes | Crushed or cubes |
| Style | Simpler look | Slightly more elegant |
Cocktail Usage: Know the Purpose
Highball: good for fast service, basic drinks.
Collins: great for fancier drinks with layered flavors.
When I serve drinks at a hotel event, I use highballs for whiskey sodas and Collins glasses for signature house cocktails. Guests notice the difference, even if they can’t name it.
Visual Identity for Brands
If you’re customizing glassware, shape plays a role in brand image. Collins glasses give a high-end vibe. Highballs are classic and versatile. I help many clients decide based on their target audience—trendy vs traditional.
How many ounces are in a highball cocktail glass?
You want to know how much liquid a highball glass holds before ordering in bulk.
A standard highball cocktail glass holds between 8 to 12 ounces, enough for liquor, mixer, and ice.
Know Your Glass Capacity
The capacity depends on the design. Some are slimmer, some wider. The usual range is:
| Glass Type | Capacity (oz) |
|---|---|
| Small Highball | 8 oz |
| Standard Highball | 10 oz |
| Large Highball | 12 oz |
For bar setups, I recommend 10 oz as the default. It works for most drink recipes. For venues that serve lighter cocktails, 8 oz works fine. If you want drinks to feel generous, go for 12 oz.
Choosing the Right Size for Service
In my experience, hotels prefer 10 oz glasses—they’re not too big, not too small. Bars that want a premium feel often choose 12 oz. The right size also affects how fast you go through mixers, which can save cost.
Are highball cocktail glasses dishwasher safe?
Cleaning matters when you’re using dozens—or hundreds—of glasses per day.
Most highball glasses made from soda-lime glass are dishwasher safe, but crystal glasses should be handwashed to prevent damage.
Understand the Materials
| Material Type | Dishwasher Safe | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Soda-lime Glass | Yes | Durable and great for everyday use |
| Crystal | No | Handwash only to avoid clouding and breakage |
Most of the glasses I supply for events or bars are made from soda-lime glass. They’re strong, easy to clean in dishwashers, and ideal for busy venues.
If you’re using crystal highball glasses for premium service, I recommend washing them by hand. They look beautiful but are more delicate and can lose their shine if cleaned in machines.
What I Recommend
I always ask my clients how they plan to clean the glasses. If you run a busy bar or hotel, soda-lime is the best choice. It saves time and holds up to daily use. For luxury restaurants or special events, crystal adds elegance—but it needs extra care.
Buying highball cocktail glasses in bulk?
Getting the right highball glass at the right price can be hard—especially if you want custom features.
When buying highball glasses in bulk, choose the right material, production method, and custom options based on your business needs and budget.
Choose the Material
Pick what suits your needs. Here’s a quick guide:
| Material | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Soda-lime | Affordable, dishwasher safe | Not as clear as crystal |
| Crystal | Clear, premium feel | Fragile, more expensive |
| Tempered glass | Strong, ideal for commercial use | Slightly heavier |
| Borosilicate | Heat-resistant, lightweight | Higher cost, less common |
I usually guide clients toward soda-lime for busy venues. It balances cost and strength.
Choose the Production Way
There are two ways: machine-made and handmade.
| Production Type | Description | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Machine-made | Uniform, affordable | Bars, hotels, mass production |
| Handmade | Unique, artisanal | High-end restaurants, events |
I helped one client who runs a wedding venue choose handmade highball glasses with light ripple effects. The drinks looked beautiful and matched their rustic style.
Considering Custom Logos, Private Labels
Customization makes a big difference.
Logo printing: Best for branding
Etching/engraving: Looks upscale, long-lasting
Color tinting: Great for matching event themes
Gift packaging: Perfect for corporate events
At DM Glassware, we offer custom options starting at low MOQs. Like one of my client from hospitality wants her hotel’s logo etched onto each glass, we make that happen. It helps her brand stand out during events.
Price Range
Prices vary by material and order size.
| Material | Avg. Price per Piece (USD) |
|---|---|
| Soda-lime (bulk) | $0.50–$1.20 |
| Crystal (bulk) | $1.50–$3.00 |
| Handmade custom | $2.00–$5.00 |
With large orders, we can bring prices down even further. I always help clients find the best fit for their budget.
MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity)
Minimums depend on customization.
Standard bulk orders: 5000–10000 pieces
Customized orders: 10000+ pieces
