Cocktail parties can be a dazzling affair, but they don't always require an elaborate setup. To designer Bryan Graybill, cocktail hour offers a precious opportunity to unwind and indulge, particularly during the holiday season. In his view, 'good glassware, real linen, and a decent spirit' is all you need to perfect your home bar – and it all starts with a classic set of Nick and Nora glasses.
The style is named after the suave detective couple in The Thin Man, a 1933 novel by Samuel Dashiell Hammett. The silhouette, however, is instantly recognisable: gently curved like a wine glass, but slightly taller. You can find brilliantly affordable options like the 8oz Nick and Nora glasses at Crate & Barrel, which are just $10 each, or Williams Sonoma's vintage etched Nick and Nora glasses – a subtly-embellished alternative.
