A Nice Cuppa

Regardless of where you live, whether it???s north or south, east or west, the heat will set in. There will be gloriously hot days where your shirt sticks to your skin, your face is beaded with water droplets and all you can manage is sitting in the shade somewhere with a cool drink. During the summer, I brew iced tea on my windowsill. I get a large pitcher, throw in some tea bags, a generous handful of fresh mint, some lemon slices and top it off with warm water. I let it all steep and brew together for a few hours in the sun until it???s deeply colored. Then I put the pitcher in the fridge where it???s cold and strong and ready for when I???m in dire need.

There are the pitchers you have in the fridge. You know, those plastic bulky things, which are basically containers and never see the light of day except for when you fill, empty or wash them. They are the workhorses and the first one you bought is probably the last since they never die and always serve you well. Then there are the glass beauties you bring out for friends and family which show off a beverage in the most flattering way. You use them less often because even though they are loyal, you never know when you???ll chip or break one. If you???re like me, you often leave it empty on the countertop as a showpiece while secretly depending on your poor old stained pitcher which is probably sitting in your fridge right now full of something luscious and cooling.

While I admire my plastic pitcher???s work ethic, this week I have to tell you about my new favorite glass beauty. The Amalia and Isabella pitchers by Juliska are large and round; perfect for holding lemonade or iced tea for parties. They are artisanally made in the countryside on the outskirts of Prague. The glass is mouth-blown with exquisite detailing added to each pitcher. They are perfect for a picnic, barbecue or cocktail party and they look beautiful placed in a sunny window.

*Juliska pitchers are available online at Juliska.com.