Bormioli Rocco Sorgente

The 30 cl tumbler is the everyday size: water, juice or a soft drink, with or without ice, and small enough to fit in any cupboard. Take the 42 cl when you want to top up less often or when a lot of ice goes in, with iced tea for example. The 7 cl shot glass is generous for a four-centilitre measure, and that is pleasant: you pour without it standing right up to the rim. If you want a table in one style, combine the two tumblers and keep the shot glasses separately in the cupboard.

Put the filled tumblers on the table next to a carafe and everyone tops up their own, while the water stays cool in the carafe instead of in the glass. For iced tea or lemonade, fill with ice first and pour afterwards, so the drink does not water down. The shot glass is meant for chilled liqueur, herbal bitters or jenever, poured to just below the rim. If you want more than a straight pour, the recipes are with the shots. A small glass of mocktail works well to finish too.

The wavy relief is attractive, but it holds water in places where a smooth glass does not. So place the glasses upright in the dishwasher, with space between them, and choose a programme with a thorough rinse. A white haze after drying is limescale and not wear: water with vinegar and a rinse take it off. The glass is tempered and made for daily use, so there is no need to be overly careful.

The wider offering from this brand is at the Bormioli Rocco glasses. If you are after other low models, look at the tumbler glasses or at the water glasses, where the clear and smooth versions are. For the small work the shot glasses are gathered together, with schnapps glasses in various sizes. And if you want to keep the water cool on the table, start with the carafes.