Plenty of good margaritas never touch a margarita glass. The stepped, wide-rimmed glass on a stem is the one most people picture, but it is a single-purpose shape, it takes a lot of cupboard room, and a set of four does not go far at a party. If you are mixing a pitcher tonight and the cupboard holds only tumblers, jars and wine glasses, you are probably already set.
This guide covers the best margarita glass alternative for each way of serving the drink: on the rocks, shaken and served up, frozen, or poured for a crowd. For each glass we say how well it does the job and where it falls short, using the cocktail reference Difford’s Guide and the glassmakers’ own listings.
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Why people look for something other than a margarita glass
A classic margarita glass is lovely on the table, but there are honest reasons to serve the drink in something else:
- It does one job. Difford’s Guide notes that the margarita glass is still used mainly for margaritas. A glass that comes out a few times a year has to earn its shelf.
- It is top-heavy. A wide bowl on a thin stem is easy to knock over on a crowded patio table.
- It does not stack. Wide bowls and stems eat cupboard space.
- Most margaritas made at home are shaken and poured over ice. That drink belongs in a tumbler anyway.
- You need more glasses. At a party, guests outnumber the glasses, and everyday glassware fills the gap.
Difford’s Guide itself suggests the alternative most bartenders reach for: it says to consider a more modestly shaped and sized coupe instead of the margarita glass.
Quick verdict: the best margarita glass alternative
For most homes, the best margarita glass alternative is a rocks glass, such as the Bormioli Rocco Diamond double old fashioned. Difford’s Guide serves its own margarita on the rocks in an old-fashioned glass, a short tumbler is hard to knock over, and you will use it for water and juice every other day. For a margarita shaken and served without ice, use a coupe such as the Viski Faceted coupe. For frozen margaritas, a big hurricane glass or a mason drinking jar holds the slush. Stemless wine glasses and tall highball glasses are good fallbacks you may already own.
Five stand-ins for margarita glasses, side by side
Our five standout alternatives, one for each way of serving the drink, with what each maker or listing states. All six glasses are reviewed in full below.
| Glass | Best for | Capacity | Salt rim | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Bormioli Rocco Diamond Double Old Fashioned Glasses, Set of 6Best overall alternative
|
Margaritas on the rocks | 13.25 oz | Smaller rim; easy to salt half | View on Amazon |
Viski Faceted Coupe Glasses, Set of 2Best for margaritas served up
|
Shaken, no ice in the glass | 7 oz | Wide, shallow rim | View on Amazon |
Schott Zwiesel Bar Special Hurricane Glasses, Set of 4Best for frozen margaritas
|
Blended margaritas | About 17.9 oz | Narrower rim; less salt per sip | View on Amazon |
Libbey County Fair Mason Drinking Jars with Handle, Set of 12Best for parties
|
Backyard parties and pitchers | 16.5 oz | Works; threaded rim is uneven | View on Amazon |
Libbey Hammered Stemless Wine Glasses, 17 oz, Set of 8Best all-purpose glass
|
One set for wine and margaritas | 17 oz | Rim curves in; salt half | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Capacities and materials are as stated by each maker or listing; check the listing before you buy.
Match the glass to the way you make the margarita
The right stand-in depends less on looks than on ice. There are three common ways to make the drink, and each points to a different glass.
On the rocks. Difford’s Guide’s on-the-rocks margarita is shaken with ice and strained into a pre-chilled old-fashioned glass filled with fresh ice. The glass has to hold the ice as well as the drink. A short, heavy tumbler does that, and Difford’s describes the rocks glass as a sturdier old-fashioned with thicker glass and rim. Our margarita glass vs rocks glass guide compares the two in detail.
Straight up. A margarita shaken hard and strained with no ice in the glass suits a coupe. Difford’s calls the coupe, or champagne saucer, perfect for serving straight-up drinks, and lists one at 7 ounces to the brim. Difford’s even pours its frozen margarita into a chilled coupe, though a small coupe only holds a modest frozen serving.
Frozen. Blended margaritas take up more room than shaken ones, so a big glass helps. Difford’s lists a hurricane glass at 20 ounces to the brim and calls it “ridiculously large”, which is exactly why it works for a slushy drink. A 16-ounce mason drinking jar does the same job more casually.
If you are not sure which you make most often, our guide to frozen vs on-the-rocks margaritas explains how the two drinks differ.
What you give up without a margarita glass
Be clear about the trade. The margarita glass has two real strengths. Difford’s says its rim “cries out for salt”, and that wide rim gives a lot of salt with every sip. The stem also keeps a warm hand off a frozen drink.
Every glass below loses one or both. Rocks glasses, jars and stemless glasses put your hand on the bowl, so a frozen drink melts a little faster. Narrower rims hold less salt. In our kitchen-sense view, the fix is simple: salt only the outside edge, as Difford’s suggests (moisten it with lime or orange juice and dip it in salt), and salt half the rim so each guest can choose. A salt rimmer makes that tidy for a crowd.
Size is the other thing to watch. The U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines a standard drink as 14 grams of pure alcohol, the amount in a 1.5-ounce shot of 40 percent spirits, and notes that the size of a drink alone does not tell you how much alcohol is in it. Some of the glasses here hold 16 or 17 ounces. Measure the tequila with a jigger rather than filling a big glass to the top, and keep water and alcohol-free drinks on the table too.
Six glasses that stand in for a margarita glass
We chose glasses from named makers that each serve the drink in a different way, and we left out near-identical copies and novelty shapes. Each was in stock on Amazon US when we checked. Specifications come from the makers’ listings; where we describe how a glass suits a drink, we say whose account it is.
1. Bormioli Rocco Diamond Double Old Fashioned Glasses, Set of 6 – The Everyday Margarita Glass
A rocks glass is the margarita glass alternative most people should own, because it is the glass the most common margarita is served in. Difford’s Guide’s own on-the-rocks margarita goes into a pre-chilled old-fashioned glass over fresh ice, and a short, heavy tumbler stays put on a crowded table.
Bormioli Rocco’s Diamond is a double old fashioned that holds 13.25 ounces, which leaves room for a full glass of ice plus a shaken margarita. The set has six glasses. The listing says they are made in Italy, dishwasher safe and free of BPA, and that the absence of lead makes them fully recyclable. It also describes them as built to resist everyday use and dishwashing.
The rim is smaller than a margarita glass’s, so there is less salt per sip. That suits people who find a fully salted margarita too much; salt half the rim and let guests choose. On other nights the same glass serves water, juice or iced tea, which is the main reason it beats a dedicated margarita glass for most kitchens.
Why we like it
- The glass type Difford’s uses for a margarita on the rocks
- 13.25 ounces, room for ice and the drink
- Made in Italy, per the listing
- Dishwasher safe, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | 302260M02321990 (Diamond) |
|---|---|
| Shape | Double old fashioned (rocks) tumbler |
| Capacity | 13.25 oz |
| Count | 6 |
| Material | Glass; listing states no lead and BPA free |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes, per the listing |
| Made in | Italy |
| Care | Dishwasher; dimensions not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone who mostly shakes margaritas and pours them over ice, and who wants glasses that earn their place every day.
Skip it if your margaritas are mostly frozen; a blended drink needs a bigger glass than this.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Stable and hard to knock over
- Useful for everyday drinks
- Six glasses in the set
Cons
- Less salt rim than a margarita glass
- Too small for a frozen serving
- Dimensions not stated
2. Viski Faceted Coupe Glasses, Set of 2 – For Margaritas Served Up
The coupe is the alternative Difford’s Guide itself points to. It suggests a more modestly shaped and sized coupe in place of the margarita glass, calls the coupe perfect for straight-up drinks, and serves its frozen margarita in a chilled coupe.
Viski’s Faceted coupe holds 7 ounces, the same size Difford’s gives for a coupe, so it suits a shaken margarita strained with no ice. The bowl is cut with geometric facets. Viski says the glass is lead-free crystal and recommends hand washing, rinsing well to avoid soap residue, and polishing by hand. The set is two glasses, so it is a choice for a couple or for a special drink rather than a party.
A coupe keeps the stem and the wide, shallow rim, so it gives you most of what a margarita glass does in a smaller, more measured pour. The shallow bowl can slosh if you carry it across a room, so fill it a little below the rim.
Why we like it
- The shape Difford’s suggests instead of a margarita glass
- 7 ounces keeps the pour modest
- Lead-free crystal, per Viski
- Stem keeps your hand off the cold drink
Key specifications
| Model | 6267 |
|---|---|
| Shape | Stemmed coupe, faceted bowl |
| Capacity | 7 oz |
| Count | 2 |
| Material | Lead-free crystal, per Viski |
| Dishwasher safe | Hand washing recommended |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Care | Hand wash, rinse well, polish by hand |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you like your margarita shaken hard and served cold with no ice, and want a stemmed glass that also works for other cocktails.
Skip it if you need glasses for a crowd or want to use the dishwasher; this is a two-glass, hand-wash set.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Classic cocktail shape with a salt-friendly rim
- Measured pour
- Maker states lead-free crystal
Cons
- Only two glasses
- Hand wash recommended
- Shallow bowl can slosh
3. Schott Zwiesel Bar Special Hurricane Glasses, Set of 4 – Room for a Frozen Margarita
A hurricane glass is the tall, curved glass named for the hurricane lamp it resembles, according to Difford’s Guide, which lists the classic size at 20 ounces. That generous size is the reason it works for a blended margarita: the slush has room, and a short stem and foot keep it steady.
Schott Zwiesel’s version from its Bar Special line holds about 530 ml, roughly 17.9 ounces, and stands 183 mm tall with an 89 mm diameter, per the listing. It is made in Germany from Schott Zwiesel’s Tritan crystal, which the maker describes on its Amazon listings as a non-lead material made with titanium and zirconium oxide. The listing says the glasses are dishwasher safe. The set is four.
The rim is narrower than a margarita glass’s, so you get less salt per sip; a sugar or chile-salt rim on half the glass works well. At the time of writing this set was sold through Amazon’s German store, so shipping may take longer than for a domestic order.
Why we like it
- About 17.9 ounces, room for a full frozen serving
- Non-lead Tritan crystal, per Schott Zwiesel
- Made in Germany
- Dishwasher safe, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | 123628 (Bar Special) |
|---|---|
| Shape | Hurricane glass on a short foot |
| Capacity | About 530 ml (17.9 oz) |
| Count | 4 |
| Material | Tritan crystal (non-lead, per Schott Zwiesel) |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes, per the listing |
| Made in | Germany |
| Care | Dishwasher; 183 mm tall, 89 mm wide |
Why we recommend it
It suits a household that blends frozen margaritas or other slushy drinks and wants a glass with a little ceremony that still goes in the dishwasher.
Skip it if you want fast shipping or a big party set; this ships from Amazon’s German store and comes in fours.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Big enough for blended drinks
- Stated non-lead crystal from a named maker
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Narrow rim holds less salt
- Large glass invites large pours
- Sold from abroad when we checked
4. Libbey County Fair Mason Drinking Jars with Handle, Set of 12 – A Dozen for the Backyard
The mason jar is the relaxed margarita glass: it is what you reach for at a backyard party when twelve guests arrive at once. Libbey’s County Fair jars are drinking glasses made in the mason jar shape, not canning jars, with a handle and an embossed rooster on the side.
Each jar holds 16.5 ounces, and the set is twelve, more than any other set on this page. Libbey says they are dishwasher safe and suggests them for punches and cocktails. The listing adds that the top can be sealed with standard mason or Ball jar lids, which, in our kitchen-sense view, is handy for chilling a batch in the fridge before guests arrive.
The handle keeps a warm hand off the glass, which helps with a frozen margarita. The threaded rim takes salt less neatly than a smooth one, so salt only a section of it. Sixteen ounces is a lot of glass; measure the tequila and top up with ice rather than with more drink.
Why we like it
- Twelve jars, enough for a party
- 16.5 ounces holds a frozen serving
- Handle keeps your hand off the cold glass
- Dishwasher safe, per Libbey
Key specifications
| Model | 97085 |
|---|---|
| Shape | Mason-style drinking jar with handle |
| Capacity | 16.5 oz |
| Count | 12 |
| Material | Glass, embossed |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes, per Libbey |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Care | Dishwasher; takes standard mason lids |
Why we recommend it
It suits a host who serves margaritas by the pitcher at casual gatherings and wants one big, matching set.
Skip it if you want a polished table; the rooster design and handle are firmly casual.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Largest set on this page
- Handle for frozen drinks
- Works for lemonade and agua fresca too
Cons
- Threaded rim is awkward to salt
- Very large pour
- Rustic look will not suit every table
5. Libbey Hammered Stemless Wine Glasses, 17 oz, Set of 8 – One Set for Wine and Margaritas
A stemless wine glass is the margarita glass you probably already own. Its round bowl holds ice and a shaken margarita, and it has no stem to snap. Difford’s Guide says wine goblets are not often used for cocktails, so this one rests on kitchen sense: it is a sensible fallback, and buying one set that covers wine, water and margaritas saves cupboard space.
Libbey’s Hammered set holds 17 ounces per glass, and there are eight in the box. Libbey describes chiseled grooves on the outside that give your fingers grip points, and names cocktails among the drinks it suits. The listing says the glasses are dishwasher safe and asks you to handle them with care.
The bowl curves in at the top, so the rim is narrower than the widest part of the glass and holds a thinner line of salt. That is fine for half-salting. Like any stemless glass, it puts your hand on the bowl, so a frozen drink warms a little faster.
Why we like it
- Eight glasses that also serve wine and water
- Textured grooves for grip, per Libbey
- No stem to break
- Dishwasher safe, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | 1082 |
|---|---|
| Shape | Stemless wine glass, hammered texture |
| Capacity | 17 oz |
| Count | 8 |
| Material | Glass |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes, per the listing |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Care | Dishwasher; handle with care |
Why we recommend it
It suits a small kitchen that wants one set of glasses for wine nights, weeknight water and the occasional margarita.
Skip it if you want a classic cocktail look; the hammered texture reads as everyday glassware.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very versatile
- Grip texture on a wet glass
- Eight in the set
Cons
- Inward-curving rim holds less salt
- Large bowl invites large pours
- Not a recognized cocktail glass
6. Libbey Heavy Base Drinking Glasses, 15.5 oz, Set of 8 – Tall Glass for Palomas and Ranch Water
A tall glass is the right home for a margarita stretched with soda, and for its tequila cousins. Difford’s Guide serves its Paloma, tequila with grapefruit soda, in a pre-chilled Collins glass with an optional salt rim, and it lists a Collins at 12 to 14 ounces. If your margarita nights turn into Paloma nights, this is the glass to have.
Libbey’s Heavy Base glasses hold 15.5 ounces, stand 5.9 inches tall and come eight to a set. Libbey says the bottom-heavy design adds stability and reduces tip-overs, names mixed drinks among their uses, and says they are dishwasher safe.
For a straight margarita over ice the tall shape is a stretch, since the drink sits low under a lot of ice, so we place it last here. Its real strength is the long, fizzy drink, and a weighted base suits a busy table.
Why we like it
- The tall shape Difford’s uses for a Paloma
- Weighted base resists tipping, per Libbey
- Eight glasses in the set
- Dishwasher safe, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | 2369 |
|---|---|
| Shape | Tall highball or cooler glass, heavy base |
| Capacity | 15.5 oz |
| Count | 8 |
| Material | Glass |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes, per Libbey |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Care | Dishwasher; 5.9 in tall |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone who mixes tequila with soda as often as they shake margaritas, and wants a sturdy everyday tall glass.
Skip it if you only drink classic margaritas; a rocks glass or coupe serves them better.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Stable weighted base
- Right shape for a Paloma
- Everyday water glass too
Cons
- Too tall for a classic margarita
- Small rim for salt
- Plain look
How we chose these six glasses
We have not used these glasses ourselves. We started from the shapes Difford’s Guide names for margaritas and their close relatives (the old-fashioned and rocks glass, the coupe, the hurricane and the Collins), added the two stand-ins most home cooks already own, the mason jar and the stemless wine glass, and looked for one in-stock set from a named glassmaker for each. We left out sets already reviewed in our other margarita and cocktail glass guides, thin Amazon-only brands and novelty shapes.
For crystal we required a lead-free statement from the maker: Viski states lead-free crystal on its listing, and Schott Zwiesel describes its Tritan crystal as a non-lead material. The other four sets are ordinary glass. We left out lead crystal entirely, and we did not consider glazed clay cups, which would need a maker lead-free statement for the glaze. We searched the CPSC recall database by brand and found no recall listed for any of the glasses on this page.
When it is worth buying real margarita glasses
The stand-ins cover most nights, but a real margarita glass still earns its place if you blend frozen margaritas every weekend, if you love a fully salted rim, or if you want the classic look for a party. In that case, our guide to the best margarita glasses covers stemmed, stemless and shatterproof sets. If you are buying coupes or tall glasses for cocktails in general, see our guides to the best coupe glasses and the best highball glasses.
Margarita glass alternative questions, answered
What can I serve margaritas in if I don’t have margarita glasses?
A rocks glass is the usual choice for a margarita on the rocks, and Difford’s Guide serves its own that way. A coupe suits a margarita shaken and served without ice. A large hurricane glass, a mason jar or a stemless wine glass holds a frozen one.
Can you serve a margarita in a wine glass?
Yes. A stemless or stemmed wine glass holds ice and a shaken margarita well. The rim usually curves inward, so it holds less salt, and a big wine glass makes a big pour easy, so measure the tequila.
Is a coupe a good margarita glass?
Yes, for a margarita served up. Difford’s Guide recommends a coupe in place of the margarita glass and lists one at about 7 ounces, which keeps the pour modest. It is too small for a large frozen serving.
Are mason jars good for frozen margaritas?
They work well for casual parties. A 16-ounce jar holds a frozen serving, and a handled drinking jar keeps your hand off the cold glass. Look for jars sold as drinking glasses, such as Libbey’s County Fair, rather than canning jars.
Do you need a stemmed glass for a frozen margarita?
No, though a stem or a handle helps keep the drink cold. In a stemless glass or tumbler, your hand warms the drink a little faster, so serve it promptly.
Our final word on serving margaritas without margarita glasses
Buy rocks glasses first: they suit the most common margarita and every other drink in the house. Add a pair of coupes if you like your margarita served up, and a set of hurricane glasses or mason jars if frozen margaritas are a regular thing. Whatever the glass, salt only the outside of the rim, measure the tequila, and never drink and drive. Our margarita accessories guide covers the shakers, jiggers and salt that go with any glass. And when you would rather someone else made dinner, see the menu or call to order.