Here’s a fun fact about me: I live for hosting dinner parties. Be it a 12-person, 5-course ordeal I’ve spent weeks planning, or an impromptu Sunday braise shared amongst a few close friends, bringing people into my home and feeding them is my love language.
Because of that, I’ve learned a thing or two about hosting over the years. I always aim to design a menu that lets me minimize time spent in the kitchen during the meal itself (and maximize time spent sipping wine and gabbing with my friends). I always have a playlist on at a volume just high enough to set the mood as guests arrive, knowing full well that it’ll soon be drowned out by chatter and laughter. And I always have a water pitcher (or two, or three) chilling in the fridge to set out at mealtime.
The best water pitchers I tried
A dinner party table can have any number of components, many of which are nice-to-haves and not need-to-haves. But a water pitcher? That’s essential in my book. It only takes one dinner in which you’re running back and forth to the kitchen filling individual water glasses to realize this, in my experience. And while just about any vessel that can hold several cups worth of water will do the job (and I’ve been known to use an empty swing top glass bottle in a pinch), I like to think of a pitcher as an easy way to add some character to whatever else that evening’s tablescape has going on.
That’s why I’ve curated this list of the coolest water pitchers I’ve come across in my recent internet browsing. I’ve tested each of them IRL to guarantee that they’re all well-made, and just as special in person as they seemed online. No matter your personal style (minimalist? Rustic? Classic?) or specific needs and preferences (do you need a plastic pitcher to use outside in the summer, or do you favor the look of delicate glass?), there’s an option here for you.
If you, like me, love the look of colorful borosilicate glass, consider getting a few of these affordable carafes from Hawkins New York. I like the idea of buying several colors and dotting them along a dinner party tablescape—though if you’re more into neutrals, know that there are clear and smoke options, too. Hawkins also makes matching drinking glasses if you’re looking to complete the set.
You may already be familiar with Danish-inspired kitchen and tableware brand Dansk, which was founded in the 1950s and acquired by Food52 in 2021. Perhaps you’ve seen their colorful enameled steel cookware, teak pepper mills, or gorgeous silverware. Another one of their iconic pieces? This pitcher, which is a part of the same Købenstyle line as their other enameled offerings (like butter warmers and casserole dishes), was reissued recently after more than 50 years out of production. It’s an example of vintage-inspired design at its finest, with a handwoven wrapped handle, carbon steel body, and glossy enameled finish available in a rainbow of hues.
I’ve been obsessed with French-American designer Sophie Lou Jacobsen’s work for years now for the way in which she blends sculptural elements and artistic flair with the everyday objects that make up a home. This stainless steel pitcher is no exception: With its namesake squiggle handle, it’s playful and chic, but still highly functional. Pair it with a matching squiggle tray if you’re really into the look.
Italy-based brand Ichendorf Milano’s whimsical glassware creations never fail to put a smile on my face. Founded over 100 years ago in Germany, the company has since moved to Milan and partners with a host of talented designers to develop its product line. This fish-shaped carafe is handmade from durable borosilicate glass and comes in two colorways. It’ll look just as good on your next dinner party table as it will perched on some open shelving in your kitchen or bar area.
Seattle-based design studio Holcolm makes some of the prettiest tableware I’ve ever seen, frequently using a mix of glass, stainless steel, and wood in their products. Their take on a carafe is a minimalist’s dream, made of hand-blown glass (in clear or smoke) and capped with a half sphere of ash wood that rests on top. While you’re at it, snag a set of the brand’s beautiful puddle coasters to protect your dining table from any condensation or drips.
Crow Canyon has been making enamelware since 1977. Their current product line includes drinkware, dinnerware, serving trays, food storage, and, yes, pitchers. With its vintage-inspired shape, large capacity, and colorful splatter-painted enamel coating, their marble splatter pitcher is begging to be filled with a batch of sweet tea or lemonade.
For the person who wants everything in their kitchen to match: Le Creuset Signature Pitcher
If you’re a Le Creuset stan whose Dutch oven is their most prized possession, you’ll be pleased to know that you can match your water pitcher to your cookware. This stoneware number is dishwasher-safe, good at retaining hot or cold temperatures, and available in some of Le Creuset’s most coveted hues. I love using mine for water, of course, but I also use it quite frequently as a flower vase.
As much as I love the look of glass and stoneware, there’s no denying that it’s not the most practical material for outdoor use—or for anyone who’s particularly clumsy, for that matter. This acrylic pitcher from West Elm is dishwasher-safe and more durable than the other options on this list, without sacrificing style. Picture it poolside serving up batched margaritas, or on a patio table filled with refreshing limeade.
There is no worse feeling than waking up parched in the middle of the night only to find you’ve finished the glass of water at your bedside—or worse, that you forgot to pour yourself one in the first place. While a water bottle is an easy solution here, a bedside carafe is a far chicer option, especially when it’s this one from Maison Balzac. It’s the ideal size for a nightstand, and comes in a bunch of (very pretty) colors.
