Finding Keepers
drinks on the patio
Cheerful polka dots lend a whimsical touch to this lime-green pitcher colored with nontoxic, lead-free glazes. Eigen Arts polka-dot pitcher, $65. Casa 1098½ South Saint Francis Drive, Santa Fe, NM, 505/982-2592.
Elevate even the most mundane beverages with these delicate drinking glasses. Each of the six glasses in the set features a unique hand-applied design. Set of six Dainty glasses, $48. Casa 1098½ South Saint Francis Drive, Santa Fe, NM, 505/982-2592.
Add authentic Mexican flavor to your next gathering with this traditional drink container called a vitrolero. Street vendors in Mexico serve aguas frescas (refreshing drinks made with fruits, cereals, or seeds) from these beehive-shaped glass vessels. Small vitrolero (holds 1.5 gallons), $29.95. Melissa Guerra 4100 North Second Street, Suite 200, McAllen, TX, 877/875-2665; and The Historic Pearl Brewery/ Full Goods Building, 200 East Grayson, Suite 122, San Antonio, TX, 210/293-3983, melissaguerra.com.
Hand-painted designs transform this imported Mexican glassware set into a decorative centerpiece for your summer table. Pitcher and six glasses, available in a variety of patterns, from $78. De Colores Imports 204 San Felipe Street NW, Suite B, Albuquerque, NM, 505/246-2954; and 114½ Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM, 505/820-6970. Le Barn 1210 Route 66, Moriarty, NM, 505/832-9481, le-barn.com. Preciado Mexican Imports Albuquerque, NM, 505/463-8677, preciado-imports.com.
Bright hand-painted colors and a high-gloss finish infuse this characteristic Talavera pitcher with folk-art charm. The Mexican pottery is made with a blend of clays fired at high temperatures. Talavera pitcher, from $39. Green-rimmed glasses, from $4. (Some pieces are sold in sets.) Casa Cristal Pottery 1306 North Highway 522, El Prado, NM, 575/758-1530; and 1488 Highway 68, Velarde, NM, 505/852-0126. De Colores Imports 204 San Felipe Street NW, Suite B, Albuquerque, NM,505/246-2954; and 114½ Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM, 505/820-6970. Le Barn 1210 Route 66, Moriarty, NM, 505/832-9481, le-barn.com. Preciado Mexican Imports Albuquerque, NM, 505/463-8677, preciado-imports.com. Sundance Gifts 118 Plaza Street, Socorro, NM, 575/835-2498.
This graceful hand-blown pitcher features a classic design—a shot of color at the rim. Mix it up with tumblers rimmed in a contrasting hue. Green-rimmed glass pitcher, from $14. Red-rimmed tumblers, from $4. Casa Cristal Pottery 1306 North Highway 522, El Prado, NM, 575/758-1530; and 1488 Highway 68, Velarde, NM, 505/852-0126. De Colores Imports 204 San Felipe Street NW, Suite B, Albuquerque, NM,505/246-2954; and 114½ Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM, 505/820-6970. Le Barn 1210 Route 66, Moriarty, NM, 505/832-9481, le-barn.com. Preciado Mexican Imports Albuquerque, NM, 505/463-8677, preciado-imports.com. Sundance Gifts 118 Plaza Street, Socorro, NM, 575/835-2498.
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This article first appeared in Summer 2009 Su Casa
Nothing says summer like an icy-cold drink on a sun-baked New Mexico day. Choosing the right pitcher and glassware can enhance your casual afternoon lemonade, set a festive tone for evening margaritas, and look great on the kitchen shelf afterward. Whether you’re sipping alfresco or inside, the perfect serving pieces can suit the mood—and the drinks!—while matching your home’s decor. Functional and beautiful, this alluring assortment will get you started.