The sun is out, the days are long, and, at least where I am, the temperature is finally above 70 degrees. You know what that means: ’Tis the season for summer entertaining.
Whipping up a batch of icy, cold cocktails is a must for any warm-weather gathering, but eye-catching cups and straws to serve said cocktails can turn a simple hang into a stylish affair. That’s why, for our June issue, we asked prop stylist Linden Elstran to pick out some unique glassware options to take the four frozen drinks we featured to the next level.
I chatted with Linden about the process that guided these picks and her work more generally. “A big part of my work is thinking about the narrative of objects and how they’re used, how they’re made,” she explained. “And so, when I then get to work with something that was obviously made with a bit of charm and made to make the world a more beautiful place, it’s just lovely.”
Three of the four glasses featured in the story—the Sacha Delabre Stem Glass, the Sticky Glass cup, and the Yoji Sugiyama Spike Glass—came directly from Linden’s personal collection. While each has a distinct visual style and place in her heart, they all showcase delightful evidence of handmade craftsmanship. “You feel the maker behind it,” Linden explained on our call. “The movements that they made are in that glass.”
Italian industrial designer Joe Colombo created the final glass in the ’60s. “It’s machine made,” says Linden, “but there’s so much thought put into it.” It somehow feels at once very of its time, and timelessly chic.
“All the glasses are just fun and charming; made for a world in which people have time to sit around and enjoy themselves,” Linden says. “If I can’t have ease in my entire life as a working, single parent, it’s nice to have these little corners, these little precious objects, that are ephemeral and gorgeous.”
Shop the June Issue
More cocktail glasses we love
I’m certifiably obsessed with all of Linden’s picks—but cognizant that spending upward of a hundred dollars on a single cup or sourcing pieces from around the world might not be realistic for those of us just dipping our toes into collecting glassware. Here are some more accessible picks, each with its own sense of character, that are sure to make a splash at your next summertime soiree.
Cassina Sferico Glassware
For another Joe Colombo design at a more affordable price, opt for the Sferico glasses made by Cassina. They come in four different iterations that look particularly fun all together as a set. Use them to serve chilled rosé before dinner or dainty scoops of ice cream after.
Sophie Lou Jacobsen Fritter Tumbler Set
These tumblers are part of a glassware series devised in collaboration between Sticky Glass and French American designer Sophie Lour Jacobsen. An exploration of the honey-like nature of molten glass, they’re a great way to add a subtle pop of color to your dinner table.
Sophie Lou Jacobsen Totem Glasses
This other set of Sophie Lou Jacobsen glassware is a collaboration with Ghia, which makes some of our favorite nonalcoholic aperitifs and spritzes. Pro tip: If you’re a Ghia fan, you can buy the glasses in a set that comes with a bottle of Berry aperitif, a pour spout, a set of handblown glass stirrers, and a couple cute coasters.
&Klevering Perle Coupe Glasses
&Klevering is an Amsterdam-based company making home goods and tableware with a touch of whimsy. I love the way in which their Perle Coupe Glasses balance elegance and playfulness, with their bead-like stems, colorful blue bases, and dainty fluted edges.
Ichendorf Desert Plants Cactus Champagne Glass
There’s something about these cactus-stemmed glasses from Ichendorf Milano that just screams “poolside dinner party!” If a tumbler is more your speed, they’ve got that too.
Straws to mix and match
All set on glassware? It’s time to turn your attention to straws. This summer, ditch the disposable plastic and invest in some pretty glass options that you can reuse for years to come.
