Relic Repurposed

Until a couple of years ago, the Mason jar was most likely to be found in your grandmother’s pantry. But the sturdy glass container, once considered a kitchen “must have” for preserving fruits, vegetables and other perishables, has reemerged as the “it” container, now available in multiple new incarnations. 

The most stylish home entertainers are using the Mason jar, which comes with a hole for a straw and in shades of blue (Blue Mason Jar Tumbler, $12.99 at World Market), to serve homemade cocktails, iced tea and lemonade. The jar can also up the cool factor on pantry—not just storing supplies but, filled with colorful, whole fruits and herb-infused vegetables, artfully displaying them. 

There are now ceramic and freezer-safe versions. There’s even a cocktail shaker called the Mason Shaker, available for $29 at Williams Sonoma and Sur la Table. 

From the classic, date-stamped Ball line (the date—November 30, 1858—marks their patent) to pricey handblown collector’s items like “Vicks VapoRub blue,” the Mason jar seems signed, sealed and—at least for the time being—here to stay.