My Favorite Drinkware.

I receive a lot of questions about everyday dishes and glasses. Below are my absolute favorite articles of drinkware — the ones we use daily (or at least weekly) in our home. (Image above from a fantastic Southern feast Mr. Magpie and I enjoyed several years ago, back when we had a back patio to enjoy, showcasing my favorite champagne flutes and coasters. Biscuits and cucumber salad from our favorite Southern cookbook, and plates are Aerin.)

CB2 WATSON COOLERS — We use these as water glasses. They are elegant (love the rounded design) but not so delicate that they chip in the dishwasher. (And we wash them daily.) Bonus: they can double as highballs for Tom Collinses (my go-to pre-dinner cocktail).

CRATE + BARREL 6 OZ JUICE GLASSES — These are squat little things perfect for a small pour of orange juice or apple cider, and I also love them for wine in the evening. (We call them, coursely, “stubs” in our house. Mr. Magpie will ask: “Do you want your wine in a glass or a stub?” Ha!) Mr. Magpie also uses these for cocktails typically served “up” since we got rid of all of our martini glasses in a fit of frustration in a recent move. (They take up so much space and just don’t get that much use!) He always has one or two of these on the top shelf of our freezer in the event that he wants a martini or manhattan in the evening.

TIFFANY WHITE WINE GLASSES — Whenever I post a photo of these on Instagram, I receive questions. They have the most elegant shape thanks to their tall, thin stem. They are ultra-delicate at the lip, so must be handled with care.

TIFFANY CHAMPAGNE FLUTES — Classic and beautiful. I love the thin stem and the rounded shape of the flute. We actually drink quite a bit of sparkling wine in our home, so these see quite a bit of use. (I prefer sparkling to still white wine, though I’m in general a red wine drinker — incidentally, one time, my best friend’s husband was arranging an elaborate getaway to surprise his wife for a milestone birthday, and when they arrived at the destination, they stopped by a liquor store to stock up for the weekend. As soon as my friend’s husband added a bottle of red to the cart, my friend said: “Aha! So the Nurmi [my maiden name] sisters are going to be here this weekend!” HA!)

SCHOTT ZWIESEL RED WINE GLASSES — We have several types of red wine glasses from Schott Zwiesel, but these are our favorite. They have a dramatic, fun shape and are fun to swirl in the hand. Oenophiles will be able to explain why the shape is optimal for burgundy wine in particular, but we use them for nearly any red.

ZAFFERANO COUPES — A recent addition to our glassware repertoire, but I have long wanted a set of champagne coupes, and Mr. Magpie mixes enough cocktails to warrant a set of cocktail coupes, and these are versatile enough to be used for either. I loved the pearl-like design!

WATERFORD CRYSTAL OLD FASHIONED GLASSES — Timeless design and perfect for, well, old-fashioneds (one of Mr. Magpie’s favorite cocktails), straight pours of liquor, and specialty drinks like egg nog.

CRATE AND BARREL REEF OLD FASHIONED GLASSES — I love this set of old-fashioned glasses specifically for margaritas and palomas! The design puts me in a happy mood that feels well-suited to tequila-based, on-the-rocks cocktails.

LA ROCHERE BEE TUMBLERS — I use these less frequently than our Crate and Barrel juice glasses, but these are fun especially in the summer, when we have guests. In years past, I’ve served up small pours of icy cold Bloody Marys in these and also refreshing portions of homemade lemonade.

TERVIS TUMBLERS — I can’t help the college sorority girl in me from persisting in the form of my addiction to these tumblers. They are just the best for keeping water cold at your bedside without leaving a ring of condensation. They are also virtually unbreakable, though my children have found ways around that claim over the past few years. Not the most elegant, but I had to include them here — I love them! Also great for backyard hangs.

LILLY PULITZER POOL CUPS — Anyone who has spent any significant amount of time with us has used these cups. They are inexpensive and virtually indestructible. I bought two sets in my early 20s and both have somehow miraculously stayed intact despite several moves and ill-advised activities (these have accompanied us on and survived many-a tailgate, beach bonfire, boating adventure, boozy float down the James River, etc.) They are a true vestige of my post-college, pre-children life and I can’t quit them! I just love them. Great for outdoors, and inexpensive enough that you won’t cry if they are left behind at an outdoor music festival (post-COVID, sigh). Perfect for a walk around the block with a happy hour beverage, or an iced La Croix on the beach with a good book, or a front porch sit with a good friend and a white wine spritzer. Bonus: they are also good vehicles for stowing herbs in the fridge. We’ve learned over time to treat fresh herbs like cut flowers, stowing them upright and in water, and then placing a baggie over the top. They keep so well this way!

A couple of other drinkware accoutrements j’adore:

METAL STRAWS

OXO ICE CUBE TRAY — OUR FRIDGE DOES HAVE AN ICE MAKER BUT WE HATE THE SHAPE OF THE CUBES (SUPER THIN AND WIMPY), SO WE KEEP THESE IN OUR FREEZER FOR COCKTAIL-MAKING…THESE ARE THE ABSOLUTE EASIEST/BEST TO USE

TOVOLO SPHERE MOLDS — FOR COCKTAILS THAT CALL FOR A BIG BLOCK OF ICE, THESE ARE THE BEST

GOLD COASTERS — THESE ARE MY FAVORITE!

INEXPENSIVE AND UNFUSSY, BUT THESE MAKE BOTTLE OPENING A CINCH; WE ALSO EXCLUSIVELY USE WAITER CORKSCREWS FOR WINE, HAVING NEVER FOUND THE RABBIT PARTICULARLY GOOD

MAUVIEL CHAMPAGNE BUCKET — AN EXTRAVAGANT GIFT FROM MY PARENTS-IN-LAW THAT GETS QUITE A BIT OF USE IN THESE PARTS!

THE BEST CHAMPAGNE STOPPER (HANDMADE IN ITALY — THESE ARE AMAZING AT PROLONGING THE LIFE OF YOUR BUBBLY!)

More of our favorite barware/mixology gear — and a recipe for a fantastic cocktail — here! One question I get a lot is where Mr. Magpie gets his cocktail recipes from. He has a number of cocktail books and is always screenshotting recipes he comes across, but I would say he most consistently uses the Death & Co book! Exceptional!

A couple of other recent drinkware finds/accoutrements I’m in love with:

THESE ETCHED STAR TUMBLERS

HAVE ALWAYS LOVED THESE TORTOISE DRINKING GLASSES FOR A STATEMENT

THESE SCALLOPED LINEN COASTERS

ALL OF THE FUN EMBROIDERED HAPPY HOUR LINEN NAPKINS HERE, BUT ESPECIALLY THESE AND THESE

THESE COCKTAIL PICKS ARE CRAZY CHIC

VIN GLACE STAINLESS STEEL WINE COOLER — INTRIGUED BY THIS

LOVE ALL THESE WRAPPED CARAFES AND PITCHERS FOR AN OUTDOOR VIGNETTE…OR, HELL, AN INDOOR VIGNETTE WHEN YOU’RE PRETENDING IT’S SUMMER (IMAGINE A TROPICAL MENU!)

P.S. More ideas on entertaining at home, even if it’s just you and your hubby or you and your sister.

P.P.S. OK, these trousers are amazing, this Agua Bendita suit is 50% off, and I just added this $50 knit dress to my cart.

P.P.P.S. What are your new beauty finds for the new year?