Cocktail purists may beg to differ, but you don't always need to splash out on a multitude of cocktail glasses. If you've got the basics - the shot glass, the highball glass, the Champagne flute and the Martini glass - you will have most of the cocktails covered.
Shot glass - a small glass used to serve a highly alcoholic drink taken in one mouthful, such as a Tequila Slammer.
Margarita glass - an elegant glass with a flared bowl and tall stem to prevent your hands warming the drink. It can also be used for a Daiquiri.
Martini glass - the most widely recognised cocktail glass, this is usually used for the classic Martini. It is long-stemmed to prevent your hands warming the drink. Also use for a Cosmopolitan, a Manhattan and a Margarita.
Highball or Collin's glass - this is used for long drinks such as a Tequila Sunrise and a Harvey Wallbanger.
Lowball glass - a glass suitable for drinks that have a large amount of mixer, such as a Bloody Mary or a Gin Fizz.
Champagne glass - an elegant long-stemmed glass that is fluted to retain the bubbles in Champagne. It's used for any Champagne-based drink such as Jamie Oliver's passion Fruit Bellini and Kir Royale.
Tumbler - this should be used for any cocktail served on the rocks such as a Mai Tai.
