Royal Leerdam Party At Home

Start with the number of guests, not with the glass. The 44 cl tumbler is roomy enough for a soft drink with ice, a beer or a long drink, so one model will see you through the whole evening without swapping halfway. Twelve to a box means that with a party of ten you still have spares. The 4 cl shot glass is the classic size for young jenever, vieux and sweet liqueur. If you prefer to pour larger shots, another format will serve you better. If you want a mixed cupboard, take both sizes and add to them later.

Fill the tumbler to about a finger below the rim, so there is room for ice and for carrying. With beer, hold the glass at an angle first and only bring it upright for the last third; that gives you a head without having to skim the foam. Fill shot glasses only just before handing them round. For chilled jenever, put them in the freezer for half an hour: the glass mists over and the drink stays cold longer. If you want something more elaborate than a simple round, a cuba libre or a moscow mule works well in the tumbler.

The glasses are made of tempered soda-lime glass, the same material as most catering glassware. That is why they cope with changes in temperature and with the dishwasher. Load them loosely in the basket so they do not touch each other and they will stay clear. Limescale comes off with a rinse of water and vinegar. Do not stack the tumblers inside one another; they were not designed for it and will get stuck.

If this is not the series you were after, there are several directions to go. For more glasses from the same house, the full range is at Royal Leerdam. If you only want the large format, look at the tumblers; for the small stuff there are the liqueur glasses and the shot glasses. If you are mixing your own, you will find the kit at bar tools and the recipes among the cocktails.