Water glasses

For everyday use, 25 to 35 cl is the practical size. Small enough to refill frequently so the water stays cool, yet large enough that you do not have to reach for the pitcher every two minutes. If it is for a set table where wine is also served, a water glass with a short stem is customary, as its height then matches that of the wine glasses.

Then pay attention to the shape of the base and rim. Tempered glass has a thickened rim that can withstand daily use and is the standard in the hospitality industry. A slightly tapered model fits into the stacking glasses and saves a lot of cupboard space. If you want to use the same glass for juice, soft drinks, or whisky, look at the tumbler glasses, as that is the same shape in a broader range of sizes. At home, plan on six to twelve glasses, and in the hospitality industry, at least twice the number of place settings, as this is the glass that needs to be refilled most often.

With a formal place setting, the water glass is positioned above the knife and slightly to the left of the wineglasses, so you can pour without touching the other glasses. Fill it to about two-thirds, because a full glass of water sloshes and leaves rings on the tablecloth.

Water is best served at the table in a pitcher or carafe rather than in bottles, with a few slices of lemon or cucumber in it. A water pitcher of around a liter is enough for four people for an entire meal. If you’re serving something more festive without alcohol, a virgin mojito with mint and lime is the simplest recipe you can build in this same glass, and the other alcohol-free variations are listed on the mocktail pages from espresso tonic to a virgin piña colada. Fill the glass generously with ice, because water and soft drinks dilute less quickly than you might think.

Water glasses become cloudy more often than other glasses, simply because they are washed most frequently. In most cases, that cloudy film is limescale from hard water, not wear. A splash of vinegar in the rinse water or washing them by hand once will remove it.

Always place them upright in the dishwasher, not upside down and pressed against each other, because the rim is the thinnest part. Never force stackable models together. If two glasses do get stuck, place the lower one in warm water and pour cold water into the upper one; they will come apart on their own. A glass brush with a soft head is useful for tall, narrow models that a cloth cannot reach.

Would you like to serve water at the table in style? The jugs and bottles are grouped together under carafes. If you're looking for a colored or ribbed collection that stands out among white tableware, La Rochère is the brand with the widest selection. And if you're setting a complete table, there should be a wine glass alongside the water glass; you can find one in the wine glasses section, where the heights are coordinated.