The Only Drinking Glasses You’ll Reach For
There’s nothing worse than sipping freshly squeezed orange juice out of a flimsy plastic cup or serving your guests that carefully crafted matcha latte in an old jam jar. The right glass doesn’t just hold your drink — it shapes the entire drinking experience.
Whether you’re clinking glasses at a Friday night dinner party or making a midweek dinner feel a bit more special, the type of glassware you use matters. Your drinking glasses need to keep up with style and substance.
Why glassware matters more than you think
Glassware might be one of the most overlooked parts of daily life. But like your go-to mug or favourite bowl, the right drinking glass becomes a quiet hero. It feels right in your hand. It blends into the background when you want it to — and steals the show when you're feeling fancy.
And, the best types of glasses for drinking aren’t about trends. They’re about those little rituals: your lemon water in the morning, your iced oat latte at noon, your sparkling water with lime after dinner.
Glassware should elevate every moment, without ever getting in the way.
The main types of drinking glasses (and when to use them)
Whether you're throwing together a low-key tapas night or hosting a long-table dinner around your dining table, your glassware is part of the visual story. Here's a breakdown of the types of glasses for drinks that suit a wide range of daily moments, whether it’s tea time, juice time, or something bubbly and celebratory.
Everyday tumblers
The workhorse of the cupboard. Use them for everything from water and smoothies to iced tea or kombucha. Go for designs that are comfortable to hold, easy to clean, and durable enough to survive daily dishwashing (and the occasional knock).
Wine glasses
Even if you’re not reaching for a glass of pinot, wine glasses are excellent for serving sparkling water with citrus slices, chilled juices, or even dessert parfaits. The shape enhances aroma and makes any drink feel elevated.
Champagne and sparkling drink glasses
These tall, elegant glasses aren’t just for New Year’s Eve toasts. They’re designed to preserve bubbles and elevate any sparkling drink, whether that’s actual champagne, a fancy soda, or even fizzy water with a twist of lemon.
The flute shape helps keep carbonation alive, while coupe glasses (a more vintage option) bring a softer, more playful touch to the table.
Use them to turn casual moments into mini-celebrations — or to serve desserts like layered trifles or panna cotta in style.
Highball and lowball glasses
These are your tall and short companions for drinks with a bit of flair. Highballs are great for iced lattes, mocktails, or flavoured sparkling drinks. Lowballs are perfect for cold brews, juices, or anything with a cube or two of ice.
Specialty cocktail glasses
Martini glasses and coupes aren’t just for happy hour — they’re also great for serving fruit spritzers, fancy mocktails, or even desserts like sorbet or mousse. They add a little drama to the everyday.
The Flute Coupe Glass.
Beer glasses
While designed for beer, these also double as excellent vessels for fresh-pressed juices, mineral water with lemon, or even chilled herbal teas. Their shape helps retain carbonation and enhances aromas — alcoholic or not.
Summary of the types of drinking glasses
We’ve come up with a table so you can do a quick scan of the types of drinking glasses and their best uses.
| Glassware type | Best for |
|---|---|
| Tumblers | Water, juice, iced coffee, smoothies, soft drinks |
| Wine glass | Wine, mocktails, fancy sparkling water, juice spritzers |
| Champagne flute / Coupe | Sparkling drinks (alcoholic or not), fizzy juice, spritzers, desserts |
| Martini / Coupe glass | Fancy mocktails, fruit juices, dessert presentation |
| Beer glass / Pilsner | Beer, sparkling water, fresh-pressed juices, cold teas |
| Highball glass | Iced tea, soda, kombucha, mocktails, sparkling water with fruit |
| Lowball / Old-fashioned glass | Cold brew, fruit juices with ice, non-alcoholic negronis, iced lattes |
Material talk — not all glass is made equal
You don’t need to be a material scientist to appreciate the difference between a cheap, flimsy glass and one that feels like it could survive your clumsiest guest.
Soda-lime vs borosilicate
Our drinking glasses are made from soda lime glass, and for good reason.
Here’s why it should earn a spot in your cupboard:
Durable but not bulky: Soda lime glass strikes the perfect balance between strength and elegance. It’s thick enough to feel sturdy, but never clunky in the hand.
Dishwasher-friendly: No need for handwashing here. Soda lime glass is built for real life and real kitchens.
Lightweight and stackable: Especially when crafted well, this glass type keeps things practical without looking (or feeling) basic.
Crystal clear clarity: It gives your drinks centre stage — whether that’s cold brew, your turmeric tonic, or even next to your dinnerware.
The Verdant Pitcher.
The Lucent Martini Glass.
But what about borosilicate glass?
You might’ve heard of borosilicate glass, especially if you’re a fan of sleek double-walled cups or lab-grade carafes. It’s known for being heat-resistant and lightweight, great for holding hot liquids like tea, mulled drinks, or espresso.
Borosilicate is more brittle when dropped, more expensive, and often feels more delicate.
Handblown vs machine-made
Handblown glasses have that artisanal, one-of-a-kind charm. Machine-made ones are often more consistent, more durable, and more affordable. There’s no right answer — just what works for your lifestyle.
Final sip: Let your glassware do the talking
At the end of the day, the best drinking glasses aren’t about impressing anyone. They’re about making your home life feel a little more beautiful, a little more you. Whether it’s a flat white in the morning or sparkling shiraz at sunset, let your glassware reflect the care and joy you bring to every moment.
Because life’s too short for bad glasses.
