A Nick & Nora is a small, stemmed cocktail glass with a deeper bowl than a coupe – typically 5 oz to 6 oz. It's named after the cocktail-loving sleuths Nick and Nora Charles from the 1934 film The Thin Man. Bartenders prefer the Nick & Nora over the V-shaped martini glass for stirred drinks like the Manhattan, Martini, Vesper, and Sazerac, because the deeper bowl keeps the drink colder and the smaller volume means fewer spills. Glassique Cadeau's Nick & Nora coupes come in vintage, Art Deco, and modern silhouettes.

A Nick & Nora is essentially a smaller, deeper-bowled coupe. A standard coupe ranges from 7–9 oz with a shallow, wide bowl. A Nick & Nora is typically 5–6 oz with a deeper, more rounded bowl. Bartenders prefer the Nick & Nora for stirred classics (Manhattan, Martini, Vesper) because the deeper bowl keeps drinks colder and the smaller volume reduces dilution. They prefer the larger coupe for foamier cocktails (Sidecar, Bellini, Daiquiri) and for champagne. Both work for the same general cocktail family – the choice is volume and depth.

A Nick & Nora is a small (5–6 oz), deep, rounded stemmed glass. A martini glass is a larger (7–10 oz), V-shaped stemmed glass with a sharper angular bowl. Modern bartenders prefer the Nick & Nora for stirred classics because the rounded bowl keeps drinks colder, the deeper shape reduces spills, and the smaller volume keeps the drink concentrated. The V-shaped martini glass remains iconic for visual presentation – the cocktail glass of mid-century film and television – but for everyday hosting, the Nick & Nora is the more forgiving choice.

Nick & Nora glasses typically range from 5 oz to 6 oz – smaller than a standard coupe (7–9 oz) or martini glass (7–10 oz). The smaller volume is intentional: a stirred 4 oz Martini or Manhattan fills it perfectly, with room for a citrus twist or a brandied cherry garnish. The smaller bowl also keeps the drink colder longer (less surface area exposed to room temperature). Glassique Cadeau Nick & Nora glasses are sized 5 oz across the collection, hand-blown lead-free crystal.

Nick & Nora glasses are designed for stirred, spirit-forward cocktails served up – meaning shaken or stirred with ice, then strained into the glass without ice. The classics: the Martini (gin or vodka), the Manhattan, the Vesper, the Aviation, the Sazerac, the Old Pal, the Boulevardier (when served up), the Espresso Martini, the Gimlet, and the Brooklyn. The smaller bowl size means a 4 oz cocktail fills the glass exactly – no headroom-induced dilution and no overpour. For shaken cocktails with foam (daiquiri, sidecar) or champagne, reach for a coupe instead.

The Nick & Nora is named after Nick and Nora Charles, the cocktail-loving married detectives of Dashiell Hammett's 1934 novel The Thin Man and the six films that followed (1934–1947). The films' bar scenes featured small, rounded stemmed cocktail glasses – not the V-shaped martini glass that became iconic later. When the craft cocktail movement re-emerged in the 2000s, bartenders adopted the shape (and the name) as a more practical alternative to the martini glass. The glass and the name have been in continuous bartender vocabulary since.

Three reasons. First, the rounded bowl is harder to spill than a sharp V-shape – which matters at the table when guests pick up a full glass. Second, the smaller 5–6 oz volume fits a 4 oz stirred cocktail without headroom, which keeps the drink colder and more concentrated. Third, the deeper bowl directs aromatics toward the rim better than a shallow coupe, which enhances the nose on spirit-forward drinks. Bartenders adopted the Nick & Nora during the modern cocktail revival, and it's stayed the standard for the Manhattan and the Martini ever since.

Glassique Cadeau hand-blown lead-free crystal glasses are dishwasher safe on a gentle, low-temperature cycle – but hand washing is the safer long-term choice for keeping rims smooth and crystal clarity intact. Use warm water and a mild detergent, avoid extreme temperature changes (never put a frozen glass into a hot wash), and air-dry on a soft cloth. For sets with gold rims, painted detail, or hand-cut crystal – the Octagonal Gold-Rim Coupes and the Art Deco Speakeasy Lowballs in particular – hand wash only to preserve the finish.

Yes – lead-free crystal is the modern standard for premium glassware and is safe for everyday use with any beverage. Traditional lead crystal contained up to 32% lead oxide, which improved clarity and weight but could leach trace lead into spirits stored long-term in decanters. Lead-free crystal (sometimes called crystalline or potassium-zinc crystal) uses barium, zinc, or potassium oxides instead, delivering the same brilliance, weight, and ring without the safety concern. Every Glassique Cadeau glass is hand-blown from lead-free crystal and tested to comply with FDA and EU food-contact standards.

Yes – every Glassique Cadeau set ships in our signature gift box, ready to wow at unboxing. The box is structured, branded, and printed with the cocktail recipe for the glass inside (an Old Fashioned recipe with our lowballs, a French 75 with our coupes, a classic Martini with our martini glasses). No additional gift wrap needed. For weddings, housewarmings, engagements, anniversaries, and birthdays, every set is already presentation-ready straight out of the shipping carton.

Yes – Glassique Cadeau offers free standard shipping on every U.S. order over $89. Most sets ship the next business day from our warehouse, with delivery in 3-6 business days. Every shipment is packed with reinforced padding and tracked end-to-end, and any breakage in transit is replaced free of charge. Expedited shipping is available at checkout for time-sensitive gifts (weddings, milestone anniversaries, holiday deadlines).

Hand wash Glassique Cadeau crystal glasses in warm water with a mild detergent, then air-dry upside down on a soft cloth or stemware rack to prevent water spots. Avoid extreme temperature changes – never pour ice into a hot-from-the-dishwasher glass or hot liquid into a refrigerated one, since thermal shock can crack crystal. Store stemware upright (not on the rim) to protect the lip. For gold-rimmed, painted, or hand-cut sets, hand wash only. Lead-free crystal is durable, but it rewards gentle handling – every glass is hand-blown, so each one is unique.