Schott Zwiesel Fresca

Choose according to who will be drinking from it. The 100 cl with swing lid is the carafe for the table or for the fridge; the clip closure holds the fizz in and keeps fridge smells out. The 50 cl is the size for two people or for a small table, light enough to pour with one hand.

The 20 cl comes in sixes and is meant for individual serving: one small carafe per cover or per terrace table, so nobody has to wait. The smallest model of 10 cl is not a water carafe but a little pouring jug for milk, syrup or a dash of cream with the coffee.

Water with a slice of lemon, a sprig of mint or a few slices of cucumber becomes something to look at in a clear carafe. Just don't leave it standing for more than a day, as fruit starts to turn bitter over time.

A carafe is useful for more than water alone: homemade syrup, cold brew coffee, juice at breakfast or a big batch of mocktails you have mixed in advance. The lid is then doubly handy.

Fresca is made of Tritan crystal glass, this manufacturer's lead-free glass that is harder than ordinary crystal and therefore copes better with the dishwasher. It stays clear even after many wash cycles.

Take the lid off and wash it separately, and use a carafe brush for the narrow neck. Let the carafe dry upside down before you put it away.

Other models stand side by side under carafes, and if you want to let a bottle of wine breathe rather than pour water, the decanters are the right corner. The glass to set beside it is under water glasses or, if you want more height, under highball glasses. The rest of the brand is at Schott Zwiesel, and for an alcohol-free batch there is the virgin mojito.