The Best Glasses for Every Summer Drink

Summer drinks are often colourful, chilled and made to be enjoyed slowly. Although almost any beverage can be served in an everyday drinking glass, different glass shapes are designed to improve presentation, provide room for ice and garnishes, and make certain drinks easier to enjoy.

A practical summer glassware collection does not need to contain dozens of specialized styles. A well-chosen selection of highballs, tumblers, wine glasses, beer glasses and cocktail glasses will cover everything from water and lemonade to sparkling refreshments and after-dinner drinks.

In this guide, we explain the most useful glass styles and highlight beautiful options from La Rochère and Bormioli Rocco.

1. Highball Glasses

A highball glass is tall, narrow and usually large enough to hold a generous amount of ice. Its height leaves room for carbonated mixers, fruit slices, herbs and other garnishes while helping the drink maintain an attractive layered appearance.

Highballs are one of the most versatile choices for summer entertaining because they provide plenty of room for both ice and liquid. They are especially useful when serving drinks from a pitcher or setting up a self-serve beverage station.

For a relaxed European-inspired table, look for textured or patterned highball glasses from La Rochère. For a contemporary look, Bormioli Rocco offers streamlined and decorative long-drink styles, including colourful options that can brighten an outdoor table.

2. Tumblers and Rocks Glasses

A tumbler is a stemless drinking glass with a flat base. Tumblers are available in many capacities, but they are generally shorter and wider than highball glasses. A rocks glass, sometimes called an old-fashioned glass, is a type of short tumbler with enough width for ice cubes or a large cube.

Tumblers are among the most useful glasses to keep in the kitchen. Their compact shape works for everyday meals, brunch, patio dining and casual gatherings. Many tumbler styles can also be stacked, making them a convenient choice for smaller cupboards.

La Rochère tumblers are known for distinctive French-inspired details, including fluting, embossed motifs and bistro-style shapes. Collections such as Bee and Périgord can add texture and character without making the table feel overly formal.

Bormioli Rocco also offers highly versatile tumbler collections. The Bodega and Rock Bar styles are especially useful for everyday serving, while decorative collections such as America ’20s can bring Art Deco-inspired detail to a summer drinks table.

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3. Coupe Glasses

Coupe glasses have a shallow, rounded bowl set on a stem. Their broad shape creates an elegant presentation while keeping the drink separate from the warmth of your hand.

Coupes are ideal when you want a drink to feel celebratory. They work beautifully for garden parties, summer brunches and evening gatherings, particularly when the drink is served without ice.

Because the bowl is wide and relatively shallow, a coupe also provides space for citrus twists, berries, edible flowers or a sugared rim. It can even be used for sorbet, mousse and other individually served desserts.

Bormioli Rocco coupe glasses range from streamlined modern designs to vintage-inspired patterns. The America ’20s collection is particularly well suited to an elegant home bar or a summer table with Art Deco character.

4. Wine Glasses

Traditional wine glasses use a stem to help prevent the warmth of your hand from transferring directly to the bowl. The bowl also provides room for the beverage’s aromas to gather and reach the nose.

Red Wine Glasses

Red wine glasses typically have a larger and rounder bowl. Their generous size also makes them useful for fruit-filled sangria, spritz-style beverages and colourful summer mocktails.

White Wine Glasses

White wine glasses usually have a smaller, narrower bowl. The compact shape is comfortable for lighter chilled drinks and creates a refined presentation at brunch or dinner.

Stemmed or Stemless?

Stemmed glasses bring a more traditional appearance to the table, while stemless wine tumblers feel relaxed and casual. Stemless glasses are particularly practical for backyard meals and informal entertaining, where stability may be more important than formality.

La Rochère wine glasses combine recognizable French design with an approachable, everyday feel. The Bee, Périgord and Belle-Île styles can complement rustic, traditional or French-country table settings.

Bormioli Rocco offers both classic and contemporary stemware. Collections such as Planeo provide clean, modern shapes that coordinate easily with a wide range of dinnerware.

5. Beer Glasses

Beer glasses are available in a variety of shapes because different designs manage foam, aroma and carbonation in different ways. For casual summer serving, however, a few versatile styles will cover most needs.

Pint and Tall Beer Glasses

Pint glasses have a straightforward shape and generous capacity. They are practical for casual meals and can double as everyday glasses for lemonade, iced tea and water.

Tulip and Stemmed Beer Glasses

A tulip-shaped glass has a curved bowl that narrows slightly near the top. Its distinctive silhouette creates a more refined presentation and works equally well for cider and specialty sparkling drinks.

When choosing beer glasses for summer entertaining, consider how often they will be used for other beverages. A clear, versatile shape can serve several purposes throughout the season.

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6. Cocktail Glasses

“Cocktail glass” is a broad category that includes coupes, martini glasses, highballs, rocks glasses and other specialized shapes. For most home bars, it is better to choose a few versatile glasses than to purchase a separate style for every possible drink.

Decorative cocktail glasses can become part of the table setting rather than simply a serving vessel. Cut patterns, fluting, colour and vintage-inspired details can coordinate with dinnerware and serving pieces while giving each drink a more memorable presentation.

Bormioli Rocco’s barware ranges from simple everyday forms to distinctive collections such as America ’20s and Barshine. La Rochère offers an alternative with French café character, textured patterns and classic shapes that work beautifully for relaxed entertaining.

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La Rochère: French Character for the Summer Table

La Rochère has produced glassware in France since 1475. Its collections are recognized for combining traditional European inspiration with glassware designed for everyday enjoyment.

Embossed bees, architectural fluting and vintage-inspired shapes give La Rochère glassware a distinctive presence. These details are especially suited to French-country tables, cottage entertaining, garden lunches and relaxed summer dinners.

Popular styles include tumblers, highballs, water glasses and stemmed wine glasses from collections such as Bee, Périgord and Belle-Île.

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Bormioli Rocco: Italian Style and Everyday Versatility

Bormioli Rocco offers glassware for everyday drinks, dining and home-bar service. Its broad selection makes it easy to coordinate stemware, tumblers, highballs and cocktail glasses while maintaining a consistent look.

Minimalist collections suit modern tables, while embossed, fluted and coloured designs can make the glassware a focal point. Practical styles such as Bodega and Rock Bar work well for daily use, while America ’20s, Barshine and Planeo bring distinctive character to entertaining.

This combination of practical shapes and decorative collections makes Bormioli Rocco especially useful when building a versatile summer glassware collection.

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How Many Types of Glasses Do You Really Need?

For a practical collection that covers everyday use and summer entertaining, begin with three core shapes:

From there, add beer glasses, specialty cocktail glasses or additional stemware based on the drinks you serve most frequently.

Tips for Choosing Summer Glassware

• Think beyond one beverage. Choose shapes that can serve water, juice, iced tea and mixed drinks.
• Allow room for ice. Tall and generously sized glasses are easier to use for chilled summer drinks.
• Coordinate rather than match. Different glass styles can still look cohesive when they share similar patterns, colours or design details.
• Consider storage. Stackable tumblers can save valuable cupboard space.
• Choose the right level of formality. Stemware creates an elegant table, while tumblers keep the setting relaxed.
• Follow the manufacturer’s care instructions. Proper handling and washing will help preserve clarity and decorative details.

Find the Right Glass for Every Summer Pour

Explore timeless French glassware from La Rochère, versatile Italian designs from Bormioli Rocco, and more styles for everyday dining and summer entertaining.