Styles of Pitchers & Ewers

Infuser Pitchers

• Infuser pitchers resemble traditional pitchers but have a hollow piece running through the middle. The hollow piece has its own lid and remains separate from the pitcher. You fill the pitcher with liquid and place ice cubes inside the hollow area, which keeps your drink cold without diluting the flavor. A variation on the idea uses a separate plastic or glass piece with small holes or slats along the sides that fits inside the pitcher. You place herbs, fruits or other flavors inside the plastic piece and add to the pitcher, where it slowly infuses your drink with a different flavor. Try using the infuser piece when adding lemon or fruit flavor to sun tea.

Carafes

• Carafes have a classic shape and design that is suitable for wine, fruit juice and other cold liquids or drinks served at room temperature. The design features a wide mouth and straight sides that curve slightly below the mouth, giving you a spot to hold when pouring. Depending on the manufacturer, the mouth may have a small spout that keeps the liquid from dribbling during pouring.

Decorative Designs

• Both pitchers and ewers come in decorative pieces designed for both function and style. The design may resemble an animal, such as a chicken or a rooster. French- and Italian-designed pitchers use bright colors and hand-painted pictures and patterns. The pitchers feature a flat bottom and a wide mouth with a curved or flared spout. Designs of this type also have a handle that makes pouring your drinks easier because you have a steady hand.

Straight-Side Pitchers

• Straight-side pitchers have, just as the name implies, straight sides. Unlike the other designs that often feature a curved shape or an indent for your hand, pitchers and ewers of this type have flat sides that run straight from the mouth to the bottom. The design has a curved spout for even pouring of liquids and a handle for transporting the pitcher from one place to another.