Best Drinking Glasses for All Your Holiday Entertaining Needs

Jason LaValla, co-founder of the nonalcoholic beverage brand Casamara Club, also recommends Duralex’s Le Picardie glasses. “They look nice, but they’re also made from a fairly durable tempered glass, so you don’t have to worry so much about bringing them out for dinner parties,” he says. They’re the perfect size for everything from orange juice, cocktails, wine, and even ice cream.

When entertaining, Zaelich suggests considering the plates that will be on the table and whether there’s a particular shape or pattern you can pick up and repeat or complement with the glassware. For example, your dishes may feature a stripe of some sort, or a color or texture.

“Lastly, take a look at the bottom of the glass,” Zaelich says. “Does it have a dimple or an inset? If so, water will likely collect there in the dishwasher, meaning you’ll have to dump it out before putting the glass away.” A smooth-bottomed glass is one way to circumvent that minor inconvenience.

According to Chris Lemperle, the beverage director of the restaurant Crane Club in New York City, a solid rocks glass is the foundation of a great home bar. Also known as a lowball or an old fashioned glass, these short tumblers are typically used to serve spirits that pair with ice, but any cocktail or even water is fair game. “I love the Nude Finesse Double Old Fashioned Glass,” Lemperle says. “It’s thin and elegant, yet durable enough for daily wear and tear.”

Tantai Khantachavana, head bartender at BKK New York, says the Savage glass is ideal for a wide variety of mixed drinks. “In general, good glassware should have a certain degree of thinness; it affects how the glass feels in your hand and how it meets your lips,” he says. “The concept of ‘less is more’ absolutely applies here. A great glass should be simple yet elegant—like a well-tailored suit that speaks volumes without saying much.”

Casamara Club’s other co-founder, Erica Johnson, calls this beer glass from Kinto her new favorite for everything from water to soda or a cocktail. The heat-resistant glass is microwave- and dishwasher-safe. (But take care not to pour hot water into an ice-cold glass or vice versa.) 

“It strikes the perfect balance between delicate and durable, elegant and utilitarian, and is really a pleasure to drink from,” she says. “I’ve also been eyeing a few of the smaller, more colorful glasses that Kinto offers, which seem perfect for a cocktail party during the holiday season.”

There are scores of wineglasses to choose from, but for Jamie Boss, beverage director at Central Park Boathouse, Riedel’s riesling glass from the Extreme collection is not to be missed. “[It’s] perfect to use as an all-purpose stem for wine,” she says. “I also recommend their Rosé Champagne flute, as it has a lovely tulip shape that enhances the aromatics of sparkling and Champagne.” 

There’s something about a coupe that instantly elevates whatever beverage is served in it, a simple club soda with a dash of cranberry juice included. For Oscar Simoza, director of spirits at the Boston-based hospitality group BCB3, a sturdy yet simple glass that feels delicate to the touch is an easy way to take an at-home cocktail to the next level. “The Leopold coupe is a multipurpose glass that you can use for martinis at home and sours if you feel adventurous,” he says. “I love the clean curves and how anything in this glass just looks refined.”

A tasting glass can be a true workhorse for a variety of beverages—water, wine, spirits, and more. Kiano Moju, author of “AfriCali: Recipes From My Jikoni,” prefers this version from CB2, saying it’s the perfect size, comfortable to hold, and stylish enough for just about occasion. And at $2 a pop, it’s hard to resist.

“We use them for wine, but they’re also great for neat drinks, water, or any other beverage,” she says. “I try to shy away from stemmed wineglasses since they can easily get knocked over, so these have been perfect for our home.”