Contemporary and Classic: The Cocktail Coupe

Leonardo DiCaprio in the Great Gatsby 

 

The tall, stemmed champagne flute has been a regular at so many of the parties of the past few decades.  But the cocktail coupe, its broad-bowled buddy, which was popular years ago, has starting fighting for a renewed place at the table.

 

Rumor has it that the coupe shape was modeled after Marie Antoinette’s bosom, but the glass actually dates back to before the queen’s time.  Monks created the coupe during the mid 17th Century, but the glass gained popularity during the post-prohibition 1930s.  During this time, sweeter, less bubbly champagnes reigned supreme, and it wouldn’t be unusual to see a tower of coupes stacked high at a wedding reception. Often champagne was poured over these coupe towers to fill the glasses.

 

Flash-forward to modern day, and it’s the champagne flute, not the coupe, that’s the toast of today’s soiree. Some say it’s better at keeping dry champagnes fizzy. These narrow glasses are seen at events large and small.

Coupe

Our Coupe Cocktail Glasses

 

But with help from movies like The Great Gatsby and shows like Downton Abbey, the coupe cocktail glass has been invited back to the party. The 1920s and 30s-based sets prominently feature coupes at grand affairs, and we couldn’t be more excited that these glasses are now popping up at contemporary celebrations.

 

Champagne toasts are, of course, a great option for the glass, but we’ve seen the coupe used for inventive cocktails as well.  We love the Rhubarbara, a pisco, rhubarb concoction served at Back Forty West in SoHo. We’ve even seen  coffee served in a coupe. Whatever you pour, this glass is a party starter. Cheers!

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