In the same way a good outfit complements its wearer, so too can a drinking glass flatter a drink. You could make the most exquisite and laborious milk punch, but if you pour it for someone in a red Solo cup they’ll likely down it like jungle juice. On the other hand, serve that punch in a refined glass coupe and the drinker will say things such as “Ah, yes!” and, “have you read Darryl Pinckney’s latest in the NYRB?” between pensive sips.
That’s not to say that every drink should be sophisticated. Whatever vibe you’re looking to cultivate, particularly when entertaining, glassware can speak to it. Having a good mix of casual and fancy gives you more versatility, but so long as you aren’t a klutz, there’s nothing wrong with taking every opportunity to drink out of your finest coupes and highballs.
Seeing as drinking vessels are one of the earliest pieces of technology (the oldest man-made drinking vessels were made from human skulls. Fun!) the sheer variety in style and taste out there is extensive. So this list is by no means exhaustive. Instead, it’s keyed in on popular design trends at the moment, with a preference for the unusual and distinctive.
What kind of glasses do you want?
Funky Postmodern
Blobs, blocky colors, and ornamental filigree—quirky decorative design has been in style for the past decade, and the trend toward playroom-chic doesn’t seem to be waning. Maybe it’s our collective Peter Pan syndrome, maybe people just want a little fun during not-so-fun times. That’ll be for the design scholars of the future to figure out. (You can’t spell coupe without cope!) For now, brandishing squiggly, Technicolor stemware is simply how you say, “I read Architectural Digest, and I like to have fun.”
Unique Handblown
I have a set of handblown wine glasses that an old roommate would call my “goblin cups.” As he put it, their stubby blobular look like the sort of drinking vessel you’d find at some mythical tavern. I, however, find them beautiful. While expert glassblowers can produce work with precision, many will just as well cultivate a slightly imperfect look. Call it wabi-sabi if you want, but there’s an undeniable charm to the organic, almost naturalistic look of this style of glassware.
Smartly Stackable
Louis Sullivan’s maxim, form follows function, can most certainly apply to glassware. Having glasses designed to nest neatly within each other just makes sense, especially when you don’t have space to spare. This category skews toward a more affordable and utilitarian set of options, but their smart practicality gives them a bit of panache.
Murano (and Murano-ish glass)
Murano glass typically refers to glass made in Venice, particularly on the island of Murano in the Venetian lagoon The colorful and irregular look to many of the traditional patterns is instantly recognizable and frequently duped within and beyond Italy. While you may know variations on the millefiori design, a plethora of others exist as well.
Chromatic
Chromatic glassware looks extremely appealing on a shelf, and the variety in color makes it easy to remember which glass is yours in a group setting. Things also just look more appealing when displayed in chromatic order. I’m no retail psychologist, but I think there’s something to that. These sets are for the indecisive types, or for those who just like to use every crayon in the box.
