Some glasses make drinks taste better; great glasses make moments feel different. The coupe is that glass—glamorous without trying, cinematic without the fuss, and shockingly versatile for both bubbles and cocktails. The Set of 4 Waterfall Coupe Glasses by Anthropologie brings that energy with soft, rippled sides that catch the light like… well, a waterfall. Set them on a table and watch conversations lean in. Hold one and you stand a bit taller.
This guide shows you how to get the most from these beauties: what to serve, how to pour, garnish design, storage,
Coupe vs. Flute vs. Nick & Nora: Which Glass, Which Moment?
- Coupe (your hero): Wide bowl, shallow depth, stem for temperature control. Best for shaken/strained or stirred-and-up cocktails (Daiquiri, Sidecar, Clover Club) and celebratory pours when aroma matters more than bubble preservation. The Waterfall Coupe’s ripples amplify sparkle and look fantastic on camera.
- Flute: Tall and narrow to preserve bubbles longest—great for formal toasts, less great for smelling the wine.
- Nick & Nora: Smaller tulip shape that concentrates aroma for spirit-forward classics (Manhattan, Martini) with a slightly lower spill risk.
Short version: if the party is about mood + aroma, reach for the coupe. And when your coupe is the Waterfall design, the glass itself becomes part of the garnish.
The Perfect Pour: Volumes, Headspace, and Temperature
Most classic coupe specs hover around 6–8 oz (180–240 ml) total capacity, with an ideal fill of ~4–5 oz to leave headspace for aroma and safe walking from bar to sofa. Think of headspace as your “runway” for citrus oils and bubbles. Quick rules:
- Chill the glass. 15 minutes in the freezer (or pack with ice water while you mix). A cold bowl keeps shaken cocktails frosty without over-dilution.
- Double strain citrus cocktails. That removes ice shards so the Waterfall pattern stays jewel-clear.
- Aim for the bowl’s widest diameter. Stop the pour where the curve starts to tighten—looks intentional, reduces spills.
What to Serve: Classics, Bubbles, and Zero-Proof That Slaps
Shaken icons (bright, silky): Daiquiri, Sidecar, Clover Club, Bee’s Knees, Paper Plane.
Stirred-and-up (silky, spirit-forward): Manhattan variants, Boulevardier up, Old Pal.
Bubbly moments: French 75 (up), Champagne cocktail (sugar, bitters, citrus), Bellini.
Zero-proof (still stunning):
- Grapefruit-Rosemary Fizz (up): 45 ml pink grapefruit juice, 15 ml rosemary syrup, 15 ml lime, shake hard, strain; top with 15–30 ml soda gently.
- Cranberry Thyme Sour: 45 ml cranberry juice, 20 ml lemon, 15 ml thyme syrup, aquafaba/egg white optional; dry shake → ice shake → strain.
These look editorial in the Set of 4 Waterfall Coupe Glasses by Anthropologie because the ripples make pastel tones glow.
Garnish Design: Minimal Moves, Maximum Wow
Coupe rims are a stage. Keep it clean and intentional:
- Expressed citrus oils: Twist lemon or orange over the glass, then swipe the rim lightly. Don’t overdo—oils can slick the sip point.
- Floating disks: Use a micro-plane or a coin cutter to float a neat citrus coin; hits the nose first.
- Edible flowers: Tiny pansies or violas sit perfectly in the Waterfall’s shallow bowl; match color to the drink.
- Sugar/salt rims (half-rim): Make a 50/50 sugar-citric rim for sours; only half-rim so guests can choose their adventure.
- Herb sprigs: A single thyme or rosemary sprig perched on the rim = aroma without mess.
Pro tip: The Waterfall texture catches light; keep garnish small so the glass pattern stays the hero.
Hosting Playbooks: From Brunch to New Year’s
1) Golden-Hour Spritz Supper
- Welcome: mini French 75 (up) in coupes.
- Main: roast chicken + salad + focaccia.
- After: Paper Plane in coupes.
Music low, lighting warm, coupes chilled on a tray—effortless flex.
2) Brunch, But Elevated
- Start with grapefruit-thyme zero-proof sours.
- Serve a build-your-own smoked salmon board.
- Close with espresso Martinez (up) in coupes—dessert and digestif in one.
3) Micro-Wedding/Engagement Toast
- Line a tray of Waterfall Coupes with ⅓ oz (10 ml) raspberry syrup in each; top tableside with chilled prosecco for instant blush bubbles.
- Add floating viola on two glasses for the couple.
4) Holiday Movie Night
- Batch a Clover Club (without egg) and keep in the fridge; shake portions with aquafaba to order.
- Popcorn + sea salt + dark chocolate shards.
- Light a candle, dim the room—the ripples do the rest.
One Hybrid Block (Bullets + Guidance): Bar Cart Cheat Sheet
- Freeze four coupes 15 min before guests arrive.
- Prep big ice for shaking/stirring; little ice melts too fast.
- Citrus trio: lemons, limes, oranges give you 90% of garnishes.
- Simple syrups: classic 1:1, honey 2:1, and one infused (thyme/rosemary).
- Zero-proof base: quality tonic or soda, one vibrant juice, one herbal tea concentrate.
- Cloth & funnel: quick polish; tidy top-offs without drips.
Care & Cleaning: Keep the Sparkle Alive
Coupe care is half cleanliness, half ritual:
- Hand-wash preferred. Use warm water and a drop of mild soap; rotate the bowl gently. Avoid twisting the stem against the bowl—hold the bowl in one hand, stem base in the other.
- Rinse hot → cold. A brief warm rinse lifts oils; finish cool to prevent spots.
- Air-dry on a rack with bowls tilted; if you towel-dry, use a lint-free microfiber and cradle the bowl (never torque the stem).
- Polish for service. Just before guests arrive, a quick microfiber buff removes water marks so the Waterfall glass throws clean highlights.
- Dishwasher? If the manufacturer allows, top rack only, spaced apart, stem supports on, no high-heat dry. But for longevity, hand-washing wins.
Storage: On Display or Tucked Away
- Stem-down vs. stem-up: Store stem-up to protect rims and avoid trapping cabinet smells in the bowl.
- Spacing: Keep at least a finger-width between rims. The Waterfall profile reduces visible scuffs, but give them breathing room.
- Dust shields: If they live on an open bar cart, flip a clean, breathable cloth over them pre-event and whisk it off just before serving—instant “ta-da.”
Photography & Reels: Let the Ripples Do the Talking
- Backlight is magic. Place the glass between your camera and a window; the Waterfall ridges will glow.
- 45° citrus express. Express lemon oil across the surface at an angle—catch the micro-mist on video for chef’s-kiss vibes.
- Garnish restraint. One coin or flower, not a garden.
- Tripod + slow pour. Pour from a tiny height to create micro-bubbles in sours; stop at the bowl’s widest point for that editorial line.
Sustainability & Smart Buying
One set, many jobs = less glassware clutter. Because coupes handle both bubbles and “up” cocktails, the Set of 4 Waterfall Coupe Glasses by Anthropologie trims your cabinet footprint. If you entertain often, two sets (8 glasses) cover most dinners without resorting to mixed glass styles—and they nest visually for a cohesive tablescape.
Troubleshooting: Tiny Fixes for Common Misses
- Flat bubbles too fast? Chill both bottle and glass; pour gently down the side; consider a flute for long speeches, coupe for the toasts + photos.
- Cloudy film on glass? Hard water. Soak briefly in warm water with a splash of white vinegar; rinse and polish.
- Lipstick shadows: Pre-clean rims with a dab of gentle soap on a cloth before the main wash.
- Overfilled coupes walking to the table: Pour to the widest diameter. Practice the “server’s three-finger carry” on the stem’s foot for stability.
Two Signature Recipes (Save These)
Waterfall 75 (Light, Sparkly, Wow):
- 20 ml gin (or 0 ml + more bubbles for zero-proof vibe with NA sparkling)
- 10 ml lemon juice (fresh)
- 10 ml simple syrup (1:1)
Shake the first three with ice, strain into a well-chilled Waterfall Coupe, top with 60–90 ml chilled dry sparkling wine. Express a thin lemon coin and float. Elegant, fast, photogenic.
Clover Club (Pink, Silky, Crowd-Pleaser):
- 45 ml gin
- 20 ml lemon
- 15 ml raspberry syrup
- 20 ml aquafaba or 1 small egg white
Dry shake (no ice) → shake with ice → double strain into a chilled Waterfall Coupe. Garnish with a single raspberry on a pick or a tiny edible flower.
Conclusion
A good glass changes the drink; a great glass changes the room. The Set of 4 Waterfall Coupe Glasses by Anthropologie pulls triple duty—showpiece for bubbles, perfect stage for classic “up” cocktails, and a quiet styling engine for your table. Chill them, pour to the curve, keep garnishes minimalist, and polish before guests arrive. Build a tiny bar-cart toolkit (citrus, syrups, big ice, microfiber), and your coupes will be the most reached-for things you own. The ripples do the heavy lifting; you just supply the moment.
FAQ
- Can I use coupes for Champagne or should I stick to flutes?
Both work. Flutes preserve bubbles longer; coupes showcase aroma and look stunning in photos. Use flutes for long speeches, coupes for toasts and mingling. - What’s the ideal fill level for a coupe?
Around 4–5 oz (120–150 ml), stopping near the widest point of the bowl for aroma + spill safety. - Do I need to hand-wash these glasses?
Hand-washing keeps them pristine longest. If you use a dishwasher, top rack, gentle cycle, and space them well—then polish with a microfiber cloth. - Why are my glasses cloudy after washing?
Likely mineral deposits from hard water. Do a short soak with warm water + a splash of white vinegar, rinse, and polish. - Any zero-proof cocktails that still feel special?
Absolutely—try a Grapefruit-Rosemary Fizz or Cranberry Thyme Sour served up. The Waterfall design makes non-alc drinks look luxe. - How do I prevent lipstick marks?
Pre-wipe the rim with a tiny bit of mild soap on a cloth before full washing; avoid waxy lip products when hosting. - How should I store them—bowl up or down?
Bowl up protects the rim and avoids trapping cabinet odors. Keep some space between glasses to prevent micro-scratches. - Are coupes good for dessert?
Yes—scoop sorbet or serve affogato “up” style. The wide bowl showcases layers, and the ripples make simple desserts look restaurant-level.
