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What are drinking glasses used for?
Drinking glasses can be used for many different beverages. You can use them for water, soft drinks, juice, beer and more. When you are putting together a table setting with glasses for different purposes, the drinking glass is typically the one used for water.
If you are also setting the table with wine glasses, it is natural to include a water glass as well. That gives each place setting a separate glass for water alongside the wine or beer served with the meal. If you want to explore the full category structure first, you can also start from table setting or go directly to glassware.
Where should a drinking glass be placed in relation to wine glasses?
It can be difficult to remember the order of the glasses when you are setting a table for several different wines and drinks. A simple rule is to place the glasses so the guest starts from the right-hand side.
Place the water glass on the far right. Next comes the white wine glass, then the red wine glass, and the dessert wine glass sits on the far left. If you are comparing options for a full table setting, it can be helpful to view drinking glasses alongside champagne glasses and other glass types so the shapes work well together on the table.
Which drinking glasses should I choose?
There are many glasses to choose from, so a practical way to narrow the selection is to look at the overall expression of your tableware. Some prefer a classic drinking glass for water, others choose a more decorative style with a distinctive look, and some like a stemmed water glass.
Your choice depends on your taste and on the tableware you want the glasses to match. If you have plain, simple plates, a livelier glass can create contrast on the table. If your plates are coloured or patterned, a more understated glass can be a better match. This makes it easier to compare not only size and shape, but also how visible the glass should be as part of the table setting.
If you want to focus on a particular look, you can compare this category with colored glasses for a more distinctive expression, or with cocktail glasses if you are building a selection for more festive serving.
Can you use drinking glasses for hot drinks?
Most drinking glasses for water can also be used for both cold and hot drinks. The same applies to many other kinds of drinking glasses. That means the category is relevant not only when you need glasses for water at the table, but also when you want versatile glasses for different serving situations.
What matters is sudden and significant temperature change, which can be hard on any glass. For that reason, it can be helpful to warm the glass first before pouring in a hot drink such as coffee or tea. In everyday use, this is a simple way to be a little more careful with the glass.
If you are browsing related categories at the same time, you can also compare with shot and schnapps glasses, which are another part of the wider drinking glass range.
How to take good care of your drinking glasses
If you want your drinking glasses and other glasses to last as long as possible, careful handling makes a difference. Whether you use the glasses every day or as part of a more formal table setting, it helps to consider both washing and storage.
Only wash glasses in the dishwasher if they are suitable for it. It is also important to leave enough space around each glass in the dishwasher. If glasses stand too close together, they are more likely to knock against one another during the wash.
It also helps to make sure the dishwasher is filled correctly with rinse aid and salt. If you wash glasses by hand, check that all soap has been rinsed off before drying them with a tea towel. These are small but useful steps when you want to care for everything from everyday water glasses to more delicate pieces.
If you are building a broader glass collection, you may also want to compare care needs across categories such as beer glasses and dessert glasses, especially when you want a consistent look across different uses.
How this category helps you compare options
When you browse drinking glasses on a webshop, it is often easiest to start with the broad choice and then narrow it down. First, consider the role of the glass in your table setting. Do you mainly want a water glass to sit beside wine glasses, or are you looking for an all-round glass for several types of drinks?
From there, compare the visual style. Some glasses stand out more through colour, decoration or shape, while others are simpler and easier to pair with plates that already have a strong look. You can also compare whether you prefer a classic tumbler shape or a more distinctive form. This kind of side-by-side comparison helps you decide what fits your existing tableware best.
It can also be useful to move between related categories while choosing. Drinking glasses often sit alongside wine glasses on the table, but in other settings you may want to coordinate them with champagne, cocktail or beer glasses instead. Looking across these categories gives a clearer picture of how the full table setting will come together.
Find the right glass for your table setting
This category brings together drinking glasses in different looks, so you can compare what suits your table and the rest of your glassware. Some people want the water glass to blend in quietly, while others prefer it to add contrast or character. Both approaches can work, depending on the plates and glasses you already use.
If you are putting together a broader selection, it can be helpful to view this category as part of the full glassware range. You may want simple water glasses for everyday meals, then add more specialised glasses for wine, cocktails, champagne or desserts when needed. Looking across categories makes it easier to build a table setting where each glass has a clear role and a look that fits the whole.
Frequently asked questions
What are drinking glasses usually used for?
Drinking glasses are commonly used for water, soft drinks, juice, beer and other everyday beverages. In everyday use, this means they often serve as the water glass in a table setting, especially when wine or beer is also being served.
Where should a drinking glass go on the table next to wine glasses?
A simple rule is to place the water glass on the far right of the group of glasses. In practice, this helps you keep the order clear, with the white wine glass next, then the red wine glass, and the dessert wine glass on the far left.
How do I choose the right drinking glasses for my tableware?
A practical starting point is to look at the overall style of your plates and other glasses. This makes it easier to decide whether a simple glass will blend in better or whether a more decorative or distinctive shape will create useful contrast on the table.
Should I choose a plain or more decorative drinking glass?
That depends on how visible you want the glass to be in the table setting. In practice, plain glasses can work well with coloured or patterned plates, while a more decorative glass can add character when the rest of the tableware is simple.
Can drinking glasses be used for hot drinks as well as cold drinks?
Many drinking glasses can be used for both cold and hot drinks, including water glasses. In everyday use, this means they can be a versatile option, but it is still sensible to avoid sudden and significant temperature changes because that can put stress on the glass.
What is the safest way to pour a hot drink into a drinking glass?
It can help to warm the glass first before pouring in coffee or tea. In practice, this helps you be a bit more careful with the glass by reducing the effect of a sudden change in temperature.
How should I wash and care for drinking glasses?
Only put glasses in the dishwasher if they are suitable for it, and leave enough space around each glass so they do not knock into one another during the wash. If you wash them by hand, make sure all soap is rinsed off before drying, as this helps you care for both everyday glasses and more delicate pieces.
How can I narrow down the choice when shopping for drinking glasses online?
Start by thinking about the main role of the glass, such as whether you want a water glass for the table or an all-round glass for different drinks. This makes it easier to compare filtered choices by style, shape and how well they coordinate with wine, champagne, cocktail or beer glasses.