Schott Zwiesel Stage

Start with what you pour. The 44 cl longdrink glass leaves room for ice plus a generous splash of tonic, so the balance between spirit and mixer works out without filling the glass to the brim. The 36.4 cl whisky glass is wider and lower: enough volume for a large ice cube alongside the drink. The 7.8 cl shot glass stays within the size that keeps a shot or a liqueur at temperature. Look at the quantities too: the individual models come in fours, while the complete set brings you to seventeen glasses in one go.

First fill the highball glass completely with ice, and only then pour, because cold ice melts more slowly and dilutes your drink less. This keeps a gin and tonic sharp until the last sip. The whisky glass is intended for whisky neat or on the rocks, but works just as well for an Old Fashioned, where you stir the drink directly over a single large ice cube. Use the shot glass for genever, herbal bitters, or chilled liqueur, filled just below the rim and served immediately.

Stage is made from Tritan crystal glass, the material Schott Zwiesel uses to make its glasses resistant to chipping at the rim and to clouding in the dishwasher. So you can simply put these glasses in the machine. Do place them apart from one another, so the rims don't knock together during the cycle. Limescale streaks come from hard water rather than from the glass itself: rinsing afterwards and drying immediately with a linen cloth keeps the shine.

If you want to explore more from this range, you’ll find the full selection among the Schott Zwiesel glasses. If you want to add just one size, take a look at the long drink glasses, shot glasses or tumbler glasses, where you’ll find the low models for whisky and water. If you’re mixing your own drinks, the cocktail shakers section has the tools you need, from shaker to strainer.