Dale DeGroff and the Perfect Cocktail Glass.

Dale DeGroff, often called the “King of Cocktails,” played an instrumental role in revitalizing classic mixology during his tenure at New York’s iconic Rainbow Room in the late 1980s. Dissatisfied with oversized, V-shaped martini glasses that dominated the era, he searched for a more refined vessel. His quest led him to a 1930s glassware catalog, where he discovered the “Little Martini.” He ordered new molds through Minners Designs and began referring to the stemmed, high-sided coupe as the “Nick & Nora,” named for the stylish sleuths Nick and Nora Charles from the film The Thin Man. DeGroff’s reintroduction of this elegant glassware revolutionized cocktail presentation and became emblematic of the thoughtful, ingredient-focused craft cocktail movement.

The Nick & Nora glass soon found its way into the hands of DeGroff’s protégés, most notably Audrey Saunders, who popularized it at Pegu Club and other seminal bars like PDT and Death & Co. Celebrated for its tailored 5-ounce capacity, deeper bowl, and narrower rim, the glass enhances aroma retention, keeps the drink colder, and guards against spills – qualities that DeGroff famously championed as essential for “15 cold sips.” Over time, it has become a fixture in upscale cocktail culture, representing a perfect blend of cinematic nostalgia, functional design, and timeless elegance.

Unearth a world of vintage-style glassware, classic barware, and retro drinkware curated for cocktail connoisseurs and home bar collectors at Barware Essentials. Whether you're searching for a distinctive gift or elevating your home bar collection, each piece tells a story with every pour.