Although the terms
cocktail glass and
martini glass are often used interchangeably, a martini glass is slightly larger, with a more conical rather than rounded shape, features a longer stem, and has a wider rim. Despite a popular story that says the martini glass was invented during
Prohibition so that in the case of a raid on a
speakeasy, the large rim allowed the drink to be easily disposed of, and wasn't originally used as it is today: in
films of the 1920s it is shown to be used to hold champagne, like the
coupe. However, despite the design taking influence from the geometric aesthetics of the era's architecture, interiors and furnishings, it was designed less for aesthetics and more for functionality – with the longer stem reducing the warming effect of body heat upon the contents of the glass, and the widened brim increasing surface area, supposedly allowing the gin, the main ingredient in martinis, to release its bouquet. Steeply sloping sides prevent ingredients separating, and also serve to support a toothpick or olives on a cocktail skewer. == Sizes ==