Pasabahce Banqueting

The choice between the two sizes depends on how many people share one carafe. Half a litre is roughly four water glasses and suits a table of two to four, or sits beside a bottle of wine as the water carafe. The litre covers a table of six to eight and saves walking, but is also heavier to pour from when full. Many caterers buy both and put the small one on round tables and the large one on long tables. For larger jugs, look at the pitchers, for more decorative models at the carafes.

Fill a water carafe to a few centimetres below the rim, so there is room to pour without spilling. If you want to add flavour without alcohol, slices of lemon, cucumber and a sprig of mint go in half an hour before serving. On a buffet it works to put one carafe of water and one of lemonade side by side. For a sangria the litre carafe is the logical choice, because the fruit takes up space and you still want enough liquid left.

The glass is machine-pressed and thick-walled, which makes it suitable for dishwashers running day in, day out. Limescale is the real problem with carafes: do not let them dry upside down with a wet interior, but stand them upright and open to dry. If a haze does appear inside, a night soaking in water with cleaning vinegar usually removes it.

If you are kitting out a whole table, look at the glass sets, where glasses are put together per series. If you are looking for matching table glasses, they are with the water glasses. For the rest of this brand's range there is the brand page of Pasabahce. If you also serve alcohol-free, the mocktails have recipes that lend themselves well to making by the carafe.