Bormioli Rocco Pulsar

Shape and capacity are the same across all three, so the choice comes down to colour. Clear shows the ribbed pattern most clearly and goes with any tableware. Blue and purple take on the colour of whatever you pour into them and turn a glass of water into something that looks cared for. On a laid table, colour also helps to tell glasses apart. If you want variety, combine two packs: six clear ones for everyday use and six coloured ones for when there are guests. Pick a single shade and the table stays calmest.

A 30 cl tumbler is there for water, juice, soft drinks and iced tea, and for short drinks with ice. Fill the glass with ice first and pour afterwards, and your drink stays cold longer without turning watery. For a cuba libre with rum, cola and lime this is exactly the right size: room enough for ice, not so much that the ratio goes off. If you pour a mocktail for someone who is not drinking, the ribbed wall does the same job there.

Ribbed glass shows limescale sooner than smooth glass, because every groove holds water. The Pulsar can go in the dishwasher, but use no more detergent than needed and choose a programme with a good rinse. If a haze is still left behind, that is limescale: standing the glass in water with vinegar and rinsing helps. Place the glasses upright and with space between them, because a tumbler without a foot tips over easily in a full rack.

More from this brand is at the Bormioli Rocco glasses. If you are after other low models, look at the tumbler glasses, and for the taller sizes at the highball glasses. For clear glasses in the same role the water glasses are ready, and if you want to keep looking in colour, you will find it all together on the page with coloured glasses.