Occasionally the "predicament" of having a little money left over on a gift card ends with an unexpectedly great purchase. Such was the case with these shot glasses, a purchase that has brought about many evenings sipping a nice liquor in an actual shot glass — without feeling like a college student again.

While these glasses from Williams-Sonoma are indeed called shot glasses, they're much more generous than a traditional 1-ounce pour. They probably should be called a "liqueur glass" (so much more elegant, yes?). Their size one of the main reasons they've been getting lots of use in our house lately: they're perfect for enjoying a nice, sipping pour of a single spirit to nurse after dinner. It feels like a special treat without taking the plunge into actually having a full cocktail.

The other thing I love about these glasses is their shape and weight. They have a tapered form with a nicely weighted bottom so they just feel good to hold. And even better: while they're quite beautiful, they're break resistant (don't ask me to explain the science behind that!), so you can rinse them and toss them in your dish rack along with all of your plates and bowls. You don't need to handle them all that carefully.

→ Find a Grown-Up Shot Glass: Tossa Shot Glasses, Set of 6, $60 at Williams-Sonoma

Do you have a favorite shot glass or cup for sipping an after-dinner drink?

Related: Can Shots Be Sophisticated?

(Image: Megan Gordon)