First off, you already know this one: the margarita glass is a classic for a reason. She’s beautiful, she’s functional, and if you’re making the most traditional version of this delightful drink, she’s optimized to deliver it to you. The slight inward curve at the top helps hold coarse salt (or sugar! we don’t judge) more securely on the rim and ensure that the saltiness you get on each sip is even, consistent and not overpowering. It also helps direct the margarita’s aroma upward, delivering a bold punch of aromatics to your nose and creating more of a 360degree sensory experience. The bowl’s narrower base looks and feels elegant and balanced and provides a natural stopping point for each sip.

If you want to stay in the general neighborhood but prefer glassware that doesn’t scream resort, consider the coupe glass. Traditionally used for champagne, it features a rounded, shallow bowl that works beautifully to hold margaritas that are served up (shaken, then strained and served without ice). It provides the same aromawafting function as the above, but because it’s a little less open, the delivery of the scent is a little more subtle. The slightlymoreenclosed shape also means it’s easier to sip from without spills, ideal for more formal or elevated settings, and keeps your drink colder for longer.

For those of you who enjoy your margaritas on the rocks, the old fashioned glass—also called, no surprise here, the rocks glass—is exactly what you want. This shorter, sturdier vessel is more casual and rustic than the previous two, easier to hold in the hand and ideal for taco night or grilling out. The key here is to use the inevitable dilution of the drink not as a bug, but a feature: if you start with a strong pour, the gentle but constant infusion of water as the ice melts will help round out the citrus and make the tequila less of a kick in the head. It also plays nicely with addins, and should be your goto when serving margaritas leveled up by muddled fruit, infusions or tinctures. Just be sure to garnish the rim with fine, not coarse, salt.

Now for the dark horse: the highball glass. Hear us out. Though it’s not traditional, we recommend you opt for this tall, clear glass if you’re mixing up a slowersipping, fizzy margarita with a tall straw. Take advantage of the form and use layers to create a bright, colorful visual presentation: lime wheels, jalapenos, cucumber slices, herbs. Perfect for day drinking on Instagramfriendly picnics or beach days, this vessel deserves a margarita worth savoring.