Serie Début | ZWIESEL GLAS

Début – Cheers to a new way of drinking

The first glassware collection created specifically for alcohol-free drinks – from sparkling tea and kombucha to mocktails.

With Début from Zwiesel Glas, a new era of mindful enjoyment begins. Developed to meet the sensory demands of modern non-alcoholic beverages, this innovative glass collection perfectly showcases the diverse aroma profiles of kombucha, water kefir, jun tea, shrubs, mocktails and alcohol-free botanicals.

In collaboration with renowned designer Carsten Gollnick and international experts from the no/low-alcohol scene, glass shapes have been created that optimally support the aroma, effervescence and texture of this new drinks culture.

Glasses filled with coloured, non-alcoholic drinks on a table in a restaurant. The NoLo symbol is visible in the top left corner of the image. It indicates that the drinks have a low or no alcohol content.

A tall stemmed glass filled with a light yellow non-alcoholic beverage.

Sparkling drinks

Sparkling glass (bubbles)

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A stemmed glass filled with a red drink served over ice.

Mocktails & mixes

Allround glass large (Mocktail)

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An elegant stemmed glass filled with a rosé-coloured non-alcoholic drink.

Fermented drinks

Allround glass (aroma allrounder)

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A bulbous stemmed glass filled with an amber-coloured non-alcoholic beverage.

Savoury & umami

Aroma glass wide (savoury umami)

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A bulbous drinking bowl filled with a light-coloured non-alcoholic beverage.

Full-bodied Drinks

Drinking bowl (bowl)

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A new generation of drinks deserves new glassware.

The market for non-alcoholic beverages is evolving rapidly. More and more people are consciously choosing alcohol-free drinks with complex aroma profiles.

Drinks such as:

Sparkling tea
Kombucha
Water kefir
Shrubs
Alcohol-free botanicals
Mocktails

place new demands on glassware design. The Début series has been created precisely to meet these needs: each glass enhances the sensory perception of acidity, effervescence, texture and aroma. This ensures that non-alcoholic drinks do not feel like a substitute, but like what they truly are: a distinct culture of enjoyment.

A person places a glass containing an orange non-alcoholic drink on a white-covered table, on which there are already several differently shaped glasses containing coloured drinks.

Why specialised glassware for non-alcoholic drinks?

Alcohol-free drinks have evolved significantly in recent years. Modern drinks such as sparkling tea, kombucha, water kefir, shrubs and alcohol-free botanicals feature complex aromas, fine acidity and, in some cases, lively carbonation. These characteristics place different demands on glassware than traditional wine or cocktail glasses.

The Début series has therefore been created specifically for this new drinks culture. Developed in collaboration with designer Carsten Gollnick and experts from the no/low-alcohol scene, its glass shapes are designed to actively support the aroma, texture and effervescence of alcohol-free drinks.

What the right glass can change

A suitable glass can significantly shape how a drink is perceived:

Aroma development

The shape of the glass rim guides aromas directly towards the nose, making delicate scent nuances perceptible.

Perlage & freshness

The integrated mousse point ensures an even stream of bubbles and showcases sparkling drinks such as sparkling tea or kombucha at their best.

Texture & mouthfeel

The proportions of diameter and opening determine how a drink feels in the mouth – from fresh and vibrant to soft and full-bodied. The intentionally smaller pour sizes support precise aroma perception and allow complex flavour profiles to unfold at their best.

A new drinking culture

The deliberately short-stemmed shapes create a relaxed, modern aesthetic – perfect for the new generation of non-alcoholic drinks. The result: alcohol-free drinks are not perceived as a substitute, but as an independent moment of indulgence.

A person is holding an empty stemmed glass and a pen above an open notebook.

Developed with the professionals of the no/low-alcohol scene

The Début series was created in close collaboration with experts from the no/low-alcohol scene – the international movement around no- and low-alcohol drinks, in other words alcohol-free or reduced-alcohol beverages with sophisticated aromas and a contemporary drinks culture.

Those involved included, among others:

international fermentation experts

innovative no/low-alcohol start-ups

top restaurants

beverage specialists from the modern gastronomy sector

Together, they analysed how the aromas of alcohol-free drinks can unfold to their full potential in the glass. The result is a collection of five specially developed glass shapes that support different flavour profiles – from floral and sparkling to umami and complex.

Five glass shapes for the diversity of alcohol-free drinks

Each shape in the Début series is tailored to a specific aromatic spectrum.

Allround glass – aroma allrounder

Ideal for versatile non-alcoholic drinks such as kombucha, water kefir or infused water. The shape balances opening and volume to ensure a clear perception of aromas.

Allround glass large – mocktail

Developed for complex drinks served with ice or garnish. Perfect for mocktails and creative alcohol-free mixed drinks.

Sparkling glass – bubbles

Perfect for sparkling tea, shrubs and vibrant alcohol-free aperitifs. The slender shape supports a precise stream of bubbles and preserves the freshness of delicate aromas.

Aroma glass wide – savoury umami

The wide bowl provides plenty of space for swirling and releasing complex aromas. The particularly narrow opening concentrates the bouquet and directs it towards nose and palate – ideal for fermented beverages and umami-forward drinks.

Drinking bowl – bowl

An open shape for calm, full-bodied drinks with depth. Ideal for tea-based beverages, still drinks, or gently warmed creations where texture, mouthfeel, and balance take center stage.

A person is sitting at a table, holding an empty stemmed glass up to the light to examine it. In the foreground are two more empty glasses.

Design by Carsten Gollnick

The series was developed by renowned tableware designer Carsten Gollnick.

His approach:

Glasses that not only delight the eye, but actively enhance the drinking experience.

The series’ distinctive silhouettes combine:

geometric clarity
natural aesthetic
sensory function

The result is a range of short-stemmed glasses that encourage a new, relaxed way of drinking – a departure from traditional wine glass shapes and perfectly suited to modern drinking culture.

The quality of Zwiesel Glas

Like many of Zwiesel Glas’s premium glasses, Début is also manufactured in Germany.

The glasses are made from Tritan® crystal glass and offer:

exceptional brilliance
high tensile strength
Dishwasher safe
long-lasting quality

Perfect for everyday use.

Two people examine machine-made glasses that they are holding in their hands.

Packaging box for glasses in light blue, with a product image of a red drink in a stemmed glass on the front and the NoLo symbol for low or no alcohol content in the top left corner.

Perfect as a gift

All glasses in the Début range are supplied in a specially designed Zwiesel Glas gift box containing two glasses – featuring a minimalist design and inspired by the new culture of non-alcoholic drinks.

The slogan “Cheers to a new way of drinking”, featured on the packaging, sums up the concept behind the range: a new way to enjoy a drink – mindful, modern and full of flavour.

One notable detail is the No/Lo symbol on the packaging. It represents the international movement centred on no- and low-alcohol drinks and immediately highlights what Début was designed for: glasses for a new generation of drinks – from sparkling tea and kombucha to mocktails and non-alcoholic botanicals.

Highlights

Claim „Cheers to a new way of drinking“
No/Lo labelling as a symbol of the culture of non-alcoholic enjoyment
perfect as a gift for design and drink enthusiasts

The new variety of non-alcoholic drinks

The world of non-alcoholic drinks is evolving rapidly. Alongside traditional soft drinks, we are seeing an increasing number of complex, artisanal drinks that can rival wine or cocktails in terms of flavour. Many of these drinks are based on tea, fermentation, natural ingredients or vinegar, and boast a multi-layered flavour profile. The Début glassware range was developed specifically for this new drinking culture.

Sparkling Tea

A carbonated tea drink in which brewed tea is combined with fruit, herbal or spice flavours. Sparkling Tea is characterised by a fine effervescence, floral notes and an elegant acidity.

Kombucha

A fermented tea drink produced by fermenting sweetened tea with a symbiotic culture of yeast and bacteria. Kombucha has a subtle tartness, a slight fizz and complex flavours that blend tea, fruit and fermentation.

Water kefir

A lightly fizzy fermented drink made from water, sugar and water kefir grains. It is often flavoured with fruit or herbs and has a refreshing, fruity and mildly tangy taste.

Jun tea

A fermented tea drink made from green tea and honey, produced using a culture similar to that used in kombucha fermentation. Jun tea has a more refined, elegant flavour with less of a vinegary note.

Shrubs

Shrubs are vinegar-based drink concentrates made from fruit, sugar and vinegar. They have a balanced sweet-and-sour profile and are often used as a base for non-alcoholic cocktails or aperitifs.

Tea-based drinks

Alongside fermented varieties, high-quality tea-based drinks also play an important role – such as cold brew tea, oolong or herbal infusions. They offer complex flavours ranging from floral and fresh to malty and spicy.

A new drinking culture

This variety shows that non-alcoholic drinks have long since become more than just an alternative to traditional beverages. They represent a new generation of moments of enjoyment, where flavour, texture and balance take centre stage. The glasses in the Début range have been designed specifically to enhance these sensory qualities – allowing the flavours of modern non-alcoholic drinks to unfold to their full potential.