When presented with the challenge of finding and testing the best drinking glasses, I first tried to answer the question: What, specifically, makes a glass a drinking glass? After overthinking it for approximately 90 seconds, I decided that any glass from which you drink can be a drinking glass and that the “drinking” qualifier only serves to set these glasses apart from reading glasses. (Even then, I suspect it’s mostly there to keep the bots at a certain search engine from showing me a cute pair of tortoise shell sunnies when what I really wanted was some new tableware.)
With that broad a remit, I went in search of the best glasses and glassware sets for drinking just about anything, including water, beer, wine, and cocktails. I narrowed my top picks to 10, and most (though not all) of them are versatile enough to use for more than one kind of drink. For example, you won’t find anything specifically called a rocks glass or double old-fashioned glass on this list, but you will find glass tumblers that function just as well as anything with those monikers. And as much as I love a coupe glass, you won’t find one of those either because the stemmed cocktail glass I chose is more suited to a wide variety of drinks that should be served up.
I spent weeks drinking nonstop (mostly water and La Croix, don’t worry) to see how these glasses perform in real life. I considered how functional they were as drinking vessels, how they felt in my hand, and how well they held up to everyday use and cleaning.
So without further ado here are the 10 best drinking glasses for drinking just about anything.
Best everyday drinking glasses
Best modern drinking glasses
Best fancy glass tumblers
Best stemmed cocktail glasses
Best tall, skinny glasses
Best wine glasses
Best budget wine glasses
Best Champagne glasses
Best beer glasses
Best plastic glasses
If these clear glass tumblers look a lot like the cups at your favorite French bistro, that’s because they probably are. Duralex’s durable Picardie glasses are ubiquitous in both restaurants and homes because the thick tempered glass is nearly impossible to break or chip. While they lack the sleek silhouette and clean lines you’ll find with more modern drinkware, the design is truly timeless and the tapered, ridged shape is easier to grip than a smooth cylinder, too. They’re also stackable, which is a bonus for anyone short on shelf or cabinet space. Picardie tumblers come in multiple sizes, and I tested the three that are often sold together as a mixed set. At just under 17 ounces, the biggest one felt comically large at first, though I got used to it over time and it was nice to have for water during the day. The smallest (8.75 ounces) quickly became my go-to for wine as well as espresso and lattes because the heat-safe glass is thick enough that hot coffee drinks didn’t hurt my hands. Of all three sizes I tried, the 12-ounce tumbler was just right for everyday use. While clear is the most common choice, these durable glasses are available in a variety of colors including dark blue, light blue, red, gray, and even a vintage-inspired amber.
Duralex Picardie 12-ounce Clear Glass Tumblers, Set of 6
Duralex Picardie 18-Piece Clear Drinking Glasses & Tumbler Set
Duralex Picardie 8.75-ounce Glass Tumblers, Set of 6
Photo by Travis Rainey, Styling by Joseph De Leo
If you love everything I just said about the Picardie tumbler glasses but you’re set on a more modern, minimalist look, then Bormioli Rocco’s Italian-made Bodega glasses are the way to go. Like the Picardie tumblers, these durable glasses are made of tempered glass (albeit much thinner tempered glass) and they’re also stackable. The straight-sided shape has a very subtle taper, which makes them nice to hold (though not as easy to grip as the Picardie) and though they feel modern, they’re also nondescript enough to work with just about any tableware from just about any era. Depending on where and how many you buy, these are generally more affordable than the Picardie glasses, making them a high-quality budget option (we also looked at even more budget-friendly contenders like the Libbey Province glasses, but none were as stylish and durable as these). Bormioli Rocco Bodega glasses come in three sizes and while the 17 ounce feels almost too big, the 12 ounce is great for water or mixed drinks, and I liked the 7.5-ounce glass for wine.
Bormioli Rocco Mini Bodega Glasses, Set of 12
Bormioli Rocco Bodega Collection Medium Drinking Glasses, Set of 12
Bormioli Rocco Stackable Bodega Glasses, Mixed Set of 18
The H2O Classic Bar is part of Riedel’s O line of stemless wine glasses and with its straight sides and blunt rim, it wouldn’t be out of place at a pricey New York hot spot. Though the walls of these modern crystal tumblers are very thin, they’re much more durable than they look and I wasn’t afraid to put them in the dishwasher or drop a giant ice cube into an empty one. They’re available in two sizes and the 15 ouncer is called a whiskey glass, even though it’s a little large for that, while the 11.6 ounce glass is billed as a water glass. I found myself using them opposite of how they were intended since I prefer a tall glass for water and something squattier for whiskey and wine, but hey, extra points for versatility! The only drawbacks are the price ($35 for two short glasses at the time of publishing) and they really show fingerprints. But even if you don’t make these your everyday drinking glasses, you might pick up a two-tumbler set for special occasions or to have on hand as a last-minute host gift.
Riedel H2O Classic Tumbler, Set of 2
I'm going to be honest with you: It pains me to recommend a stemmed cocktail glass that isn't my beloved coupe, but if I had to pick just one type of glass for mixed drinks served up (and I have to here), I must bow down to the more versatile fizz. Though technically intended for proper fizz cocktails, Bormioli Rocco’s Novecento Fizz is more than suitable for martinis, manhattans, and even margaritas. At 7.5 ounces it’s a little roomier than a standard 6-ounce coupe. That bonus space means you’re less likely to spill when presenting a trayful of gimlets at your next dinner party or carrying your drink around a crowded cocktail party. The stem and bowl are produced in one sturdy piece and because the bowl widens at the top, these glasses are very easy to clean by hand (they’re dishwasher safe, too). The stem is on the short side, but it’s still long enough to wrap two fingers and a thumb around while your middle and pinky fingers rest comfortably on the base (which is apparently the “civilized” way to hold stemmed glassware, anyway).
Epi digital director Maggie Hoffman loves her 13-ounce Schott Zwiesel Basic Bar glasses—which aren’t quite highball glasses or Collins glasses—for a variety of cold beverages, including highball cocktails, soda, and iced tea. If your drink of choice is effervescent, you’ll want a set too, because these tall, skinny glasses really do concentrate the carbonation and aromas of anything bubbly, making each sip or swig even more flavorful. And because they’re so slim (2.7 inches in diameter, to be exact), they’re comfortable to hold. I’ve found that they’re also handy to use as water glasses on an overcrowded dinner table. Though these glasses are delightfully thin, they’re dishwasher safe and more durable than they look and feel thanks to the lead-free Tritan crystal.
Schott Zwiesel Basic Bar Glass, Set of 6
Zalto glasses are widely considered to be among the best wine glasses money can buy and if you want to get the most use out of your glassware investment, the brand’s Universal Glass is engineered for optimal enjoyment of multiple styles. That may sound like marketing BS, but the shape of the 18-ounce hand-blown crystal bowl does seem to enhance the full sensory experience of drinking both still and bubbly wine, even if your bubbly of choice is Kirkland Prosecco (which is actually quite nice, by the way). Lest you think that’s all in my Costco-wine-loving head, in a blind taste for Epi, a certified sommelier reported that a Zalto glass improved the taste of multiple wines more than any other vessel she tried. But buyer beware: these glasses are fragile. My husband managed to break one I left next to the sink when he picked it up and barely caught the base on the windowsill. So imagine my shock when I learned recently that the brand actually recommends putting these delicate beauties in the dishwasher because “manual polishing [is] the most frequent cause of breakage.” Fragility aside, this is the wine glass you’ll reach for every time you pull a cork.
The 19-ounce Spiegelau Definition Universal Wine Glass is a near-identical dupe for the Zalto at about a third of the price. The Spiegelau does have a slightly more substantial base but the thin, lead-free crystal bowl and leggy stem feel just as luxurious and delicate as the Zalto—though if my own experience is any indication, this one isn’t quite so fragile. I managed to knock one over onto a marble table and it didn’t crack, shatter, or chip—not even when it hit the sturdy rim of a Picardie glass on the way down. So if you’re looking for a more affordable (and seemingly less breakable) high-end universal glass to use for red, white, and bubbly, this is the wine glass for you. It’s dishwasher safe, too.
Spiegelau Definition Universal Wine Glasses, Set of 12
Spiegelau Definition Universal Wine Glasses, Set of 2
Drinking out of traditional Champagne glasses always feels festive, but at home, I generally prefer to use a coupe instead. Flutes are just too tall and delicate for the dishwasher and you need a bottle brush (or similar tool) to get them really clean. But recognizing that a tall, skinny glass enhances the experience of champagne by concentrating the bubbles and aromas, I set out to find a flute worth the awkward storage and hand washing and landed on these beauties from Estelle Colored Glass. Hand blown in Poland, Estelle’s eye-catching glasses and decanters are reminiscent of colorful antique glassware but unlike those green goblets you might pick up at a thrift store or estate sale, you don’t have to worry about any risk of lead contamination. The color selections are fabulous, too; nearly every piece is available in multiple pastels, jewel tones, and vintage-inspired neutrals. These 10-ounce flutes feel much sturdier than other champagne flutes I’ve used, and busting them out can turn even a boring Friday night at home into a special occasion.
Estelle Colored Glass Champagne Flutes, Set of 6
If you’re still drinking beer out of basic pint glasses, it’s time to upgrade. Those glorified mixing glasses aren’t doing a damn thing for your dank IPAs or your malty Czech-style lagers and while you could go down the rabbit hole of getting a specialized glass for every kind of beer in your fridge, you’re better off with something more versatile. Enter the Rastal Nucleated Teku 3.0, a stemmed tulip glass that’s been meticulously engineered to enhance the experience of drinking any high-quality beer. The Teku’s 14-ounce size comfortably fits a 12-ounce pour with room for a proper head, the stem prevents your hand from warming what’s inside, and the shape of the bowl perfectly concentrates the bubbles and aromas in just the right place for optimal enjoyment of every sip. Also, the curve of the splayed rim feels like it was made for your bottom lip. But wait; there’s more. This German-made glass is also nucleated, meaning there’s subtle etching in the bottom that agitates the beer’s gasses to form a constant stream of small bubbles that rise to the top, further enhancing the aromatic properties of your favorite brew. The Nucleated Teku is dishwasher safe, but I’m hesitant to put any etched glass into the dishwasher and prefer cleaning it with a soft brush instead.
If you want the look of trendy, Art Deco-inspired glassware but your lifestyle is more suited to unbreakable plastic tumblers, you need West Elm’s Fluted Acrylic Glassware. While they don’t quite have the clarity of, say, a meticulously-polished Zalto glass, unless you look really closely, these textured tumblers actually look like they’re made of real glass (the gray color is especially deceptive). The BPA-free acrylic is structured and sturdy and unlike many plastic glasses, they don’t get cloudy or scuffed up after multiple trips through the dishwasher. The tiered design means they’re stackable, too, though the taller 15-ounce glasses stack a little better than the wider 13-ounce shorties. The tall ones are also a little easier to grip if your hands are on the small side.
Tall Fluted Acrylic Drinking Glasses, Set of 4
Short Fluted Acrylic Drinking Glasses, Set of 8
Ever noticed that your favourite food and drink products taste better when packaged in glass? If you have, you’re not alone. There’s so much that goes into the perceived taste of a product including the quality of the brand, temperature, and even how you’re choosing to experience the moment itself – think of how good it feels to crack open a cold beer or Coca Cola on a hot summer’s day!
But one aspect we often overlook is how our food or drink is packaged. And there’s so much more to food and drink, if we look beyond the label. Look in your fridge or pantry, and you’ll probably notice just how much comes in glass.
Packaging is key for protecting our favourite drinks, such as Coke, beer and wine, as well as food products like olive oil, sauces, jams and yoghurts. Packaging choice can have a significant impact on how much we enjoy our meals or beverages.
But how does packaging affect taste? Well, a lot of it comes down to science. In the case of glass, this concerns four key elements – natural ingredients, inertness, impermeability and safety – and these elements all work in harmony to make your favourite food or drink taste better. Keep reading to find out how.
How does
glass
preserve the taste of food and drinks?
Natural packaging
With glass, what you see is what you get. bottle, jar or pot is created by combining three ingredients found in nature – sand, soda ash and limestone – as well as recycled content (also known as cullet). And that’s it! additional plastic linings or layers to ensure the food or drink can be safely stored for a long period of time.
Pure taste
Glass is a tasteless and odourless material. Using it to package our favourite maintains all of the freshness, strength, aroma and flavour, as well as all the vitamins and minerals. Its inertness also guarantees no chemical reactions between the content and packaging, meaning your food or drink will taste exactly as originally intended.
Impermeable material
As a non-porous, single-layer material, glass acts as a protective barrier against external elements. All flavours and aromas of your favourite food or drink stay intact, as it functions as a barrier that keeps out oxygen, light and heat. This is why we call it “impermeable” meaning it doesn’t let anything from outside affect the taste of your food or drink.
Safely stored
Glass doesn’t just result in food that tastes exactly as intended – it’s also a safer and healthier choice compared to other materials.
There’s no risk of potentially harmful chemicals that can leach into food and drinks. The material also doesn’t deteriorate over time, making glass a safer and healthier choice for the long haul.
Why do drinks taste better in glass
?
Coke
Whether you’re kicking back with a Coke after a long workday or relaxing with friends on a summer day – one thing is for sure: Coca-Cola tastes better in glass. You might be wondering why and the answer is quite easy: science.
So how does this science work? Think about why we love the ‘Coca Cola experience’ (and it’s the same for all soft drinks!): carbonation. Glass is perfect for preserving that refreshing fizz in your drink. And let’s face it, a flat Coke is not really the same.
Beer
Beer lovers or occasional drinkers alike, people tend to agree that beer tastes different in glass. Like soft drinks, beer’s refreshing bubbles are an important part of the taste experience. Better preserved carbonation means a better tasting pint, ale or lager. Want to prevent your drink from going ‘stale’ or ‘skunky’? Choose beer in glass, as it protects all the beer’s flavours and aromas from light and oxygen exposure. Once the bottle is sealed, oxygen has no way of getting in, shielding the beer from getting stale. Amber bottles provide 99.9% protection from UV rays; that’s why you’ll often find darker bottles storing the most famous brews.
Milk
Milk is a natural product through and through. Whether it comes from a cow, goat, almond or oat, with milk, you’re looking for freshness. Compared to other materials, glass is a reliable option for ensuring milk’s freshness for two main reasons. First, it acts as a barrier protecting your drink from outside temperatures, so milk stays colder for longer.
The second reason comes down to logistics. Whereas milk in other packaging usually travels great distances before processing, milk in glass bottles comes from local farms and can go from the production to your kitchen table in just 24 hours. Thanks to this, dairy products are left closer to their original state with more remaining enzyme proteins, keeping our bodies healthy. And that is not the only benefit. There are many other reasons to choose milk in glass bottles.
Wine
With room for such a complex array of flavours, preserving the taste of wine is essential for the best experience. Wine connoisseur, sommelier, or your average Joe: we want to taste the wine, not the packaging material.
Glass is perfect for preserving a wine’s true taste thanks to its high degree of inertness. While other packaging materials may leach chemicals or their own foreign flavours into the drink, a tasteless and odourless material like glass ensures that wines maintain their unique aroma.
Besides, bottles can be hermetically sealed with a cork, preventing oxygen to getting into contact with the product. This is particularly important when it comes to aged wines that can last for decades when stored properly.
Curious about why bottles have been the go-to choice for wine for so long? Discover why wine is best stored in glass.
Why does food taste better in
glass
?
Olive oil
Used for marinades, salad dressings and everything in between, olive oil is a daily pantry staple of the European diet. Whether you prefer it fresh and grassy or spicy and bitter, so much of what we love about olive oil has to do with its taste and how it elevates our food experience to the next level. The key to preserving this flavour is keeping it safe from oxygen, light and heat – the true enemies of olive oil.
As a gastight, impermeable material, it is well suited to protecting olive oil and guarding against rancidity. Previous studies found that green UVAG glass bottles prevents oxidation and light exposure in olive oil better than other containers. Compared to other materials, the aromas or perfume of oil is found to be the greatest in green UVAG bottles. The result? A better tasting olive oil.
Learn more about why olive oil and glass are the perfect match.
Sauces
One of the key reasons that sauces – both table and cooking sauces – often come in glass jars is due to preservation. As a hermetically sealed container, a jar ensures that no microorganisms spoil the sauce. At the same time, inertness guarantees no foreign flavours or chemicals leach into the sauce and thereby your food. Together, these two factors mean that sauces packaged in jars taste exactly as they should for as long as two years.
Jams and jellies
Remember those delicious jam jars at your grandparent’s house, covering your crusty bread with a sweet jelly spread in the morning? It’s no coincidence that jams and jellies are often packaged in glass jars (which are great to reuse to upcycle your garden!). Much like with sauces, jars guarantee safety and taste preservation thanks to their inertness. Jams and jellies aren’t just sweet, they’re also acidic. While this acid can react with certain materials and therefore alter the taste and quality of the product, glass ensures no chemical reaction, preserving the sweet taste.
Another reason has to do with warmth. Jams and jellies need to be packaged while still hot and need to release their warmth quickly to achieve the best taste of the final product. Made from natural materials (sand, soda ash and limestone), glass allows the heat of freshly produced jam to be released up to 10 times faster than other materials. The result is a fresher and more flavourful jam or jelly.
Yoghurt and other dairy products
Much like milk, yoghurts, cream, butters, spreadable fats and a whole host of other dairy products taste better and fresher when packaged in glass jars.
In the case of thicker yoghurts, the structure of glass also has a role to play. Thanks to its rigidity, the yoghurt’s integrity is maintained, allowing for a natural yoghurt that can be stabilised without the use of added starches or gelatine. And as we all know, the creamier the texture, the tastier the experience.
So next time you find yourself in the store doing your weekly grocery shopping, or planning a dinner party, don’t forget about glass. It’s time to look beyond the label because, for the best taste experience, the packaging is the promise.