RCR Alkemist

The core of the series is its three copa glasses. The 53 cl is the most understated size and also fits on a smaller table. The 58 cl is the all-rounder: room for a generous layer of ice and a garnish, without the glass becoming dominant. The 67 cl is the most spacious and theatrical, suitable when you work with lots of botanicals. There is also a low 53 cl variant that serves for both cognac and gin. If you mainly drink whisky, choose the 35 or 38 cl tumbler; its heavy base feels comfortable in the hand. Feel free to compare with the gin and tonic glasses and the whiskey glasses.

Always fill a copa completely with large ice cubes first, and only then pour. That may seem excessive, but a lot of ice melts more slowly than a little ice and therefore keeps the drink less watery. Pour the tonic down a spoon or along the side of the glass so the carbonation does not suddenly escape from the drink. Garnish sparingly: a strip of peel and a single herb. A classic gin and tonic or an Old Fashioned in the tumbler lets the facets do the work. Pour whisky neat into the tumbler without ice, with a splash of water if you want to open up the aromas.

Luxion is RCR's lead-free crystal glass, with high clarity and a rim made sturdier than ordinary crystal by a heat treatment. That is why the range is dishwasher safe, which is not a given with cut crystal. Even so: the deeper the facets, the faster limescale settles in. With hard water, a rinse aid or a quick rinse afterwards is the difference between sparkling and dull glass.

If you want to see which other series the brand makes, take a look at RCR, which includes Aria and Brillante, among others. If you're looking for a carafe to serve the drink at the table, you'll find one among the carafes. And if you're pouring from a bottle that empties quickly, the pouring spouts make it much easier to control the flow. If you're unsure about the size, start with the 58 cl copa.