Taking an espresso shot offers the best way to access a perfect blend of the coffee’s flavor, acidity, body, and energy, among other elements of a great coffee.
Coffee cups are not essential, any cup can serve espresso. However, if you are a coffee connoisseur and ritualist, you can attest to how great the shot tastes when taken from the proper espresso cup. I have a special espresso cup from which I gulp my coffee; otherwise, it won’t taste the same. Espresso drinkers have their own espresso routine.
What to look for when buying the best espresso cups with so many choices out there? We have extensively researched and listed the best picks for you. We have also included a buying guide to simplify your buying process. Read on!
Things to Consider When Choosing the Best Espresso Cup
Capacity
When shopping, you would like to know how much coffee a cup can hold before the purchase. Your choice of a cup should depend on the type of beverage you want to subject the cup to.
For instance, Demitasse means half cup in French. If you need to use the cup purely for espresso, then small demitasse cups of 2 ounces will be the most ideal. They allow you to take single or double shots without interfering with crema or the overall quality of the espresso.
On the same note, you may need a 3.5 to 4 ounces cup if you are the doppio espresso type and a 5 to 5.5 ounces cup if you love cappuccino. If you need a cup for a latte, you may need a larger mug or a bowl of between 11 to 15 ounces.
By looking at the above examples, it’s clear that the capacity of your mug will depend in part on the type of beverage you intend to take.
Saucers and Coffee Spoon
By looking at the espresso cups sets reviewed below, you will notice that some packages come with saucers and spoons attached. Your decision on whether to pick a set with spoons and saucers should depend on your preferences.
Generally, an espresso cup set with the above accessories should be ideal for coffee shops or home set up. The saucers will prevent coffee spills, while the spoons will aid in stirring for an excellent espresso mix and a sweeter taste.
Dimensions
Espresso cups come in different dimensions. When picking one, you need a cup that not only gives the perfect sips but also pairs well with your espresso machine. You need to consider the clearance between the spout and drip tray to pick the right-sized cup.
If your automatic espresso machine has an adjustable spout, make sure you familiarize yourself with the maximum clearance that the machine can offer, and then pick a cup that can fit within the space. Some semi-automatic machines have smaller clearance and may end up not accommodating your espresso cup, especially if you use a coffee scale while brewing.
Materials
Espresso cups are made from different materials, including:
- Borosilicate glass
- Ceramic
- Porcelain
- Stoneware
- Stainless steel
Each of the above materials has its strengths and weakness. The choice of your material should depend on your preferences.
For instance, stoneware glasses are very durable, scratch-resistant, and can maintain temperatures for a long time. Though stoneware glasses may be relatively expensive than other options, you may opt to buy them due to their durability and excellent quality.
Design
Again, the cups feature different interior and exterior designs to meet the needs of different users. Your design choice will depend on your preferences for the quality and beauty of your espresso cup.
Storage
Some would prefer a stackable cup design to save up some space in their cupboards. However, the non-stackable options remain excellent options for persons with lots of storage space.
Sturdiness
As a rational buyer, you should pick a glass whose material is strong enough to withstand external elements. For instance, cups that can support safe use in the microwave, freezer, or safe cleaning in the dishwasher are the best buy.
10 Best Espresso Cups
1. Best Espresso Cups Set-Espresso Cups and Saucers
- Material: Porcelain
- Capacity: 2.4 ounces (71 ml)
Start your day in style by taking your espresso shots from the sleek Aozita espresso cups. The 2.4 ounces cups are made from lead and BPA-free porcelain to guarantee you long-term use of the cups without ingesting harmful chemicals found in the plastic cups.
Also, the high-quality porcelain allows you to safely use the cups in the oven, freezer, and microwave. The cups are easy to clean since they are dishwasher safe.
Better still, the cups are white to match your tableware and stackable to allow for more space. Not to forget the four-inch espresso spoons and four-inch saucers that complete the package. You can add the set to your kitchen or use it to gift your friend.
2.Best Glass Espresso Cups
- Material: Glass
- Capacity: 1.92 ounces (60 ml)
DeLonghi occupies the top ranks in the espresso industry, with unparalleled coffee equipment and espresso machines. Their glass insulated espresso cups are:
- Chemical-free
- Durable
- Pocket-friendly
As the name suggests, the glass cups have double-wall insulation to avoid altering their content’s room temperature by the ambient temperature.
The glasses can keep your espresso hot or cold for an extended time. The double insulation also avoids condensation. In addition to the double insulation, the borosilicate glass body is durable and BPA-free to allow for the glass’s long-term and safe use.
The glasses are comfortable to use given the 2 ounces weight per piece. They are also stackable and dishwasher-safe, making them easy to maintain.
3. Best Double-Wall Espresso cups
- Material: Ceramic
- Capacity: 3 ounces (90 ml)
The Fellow is a San Francisco-based company that is in love with coffee. For years, the company has earned an excellent reputation for making quality coffee products tailored for their customers, such as the Fellow Ode Brew grinder, Stagg EKG kettle. They also offer coffee cups.
Made of a durable matte white ceramic material and a polished copper bottom, the Fellow’s 3.0 ounces Monty Milk Art Espresso Cups offer a long-lasting solution to gulping your cappuccino, latte, or any other espresso beverage.
The cup features a double-wall design to maintain the internal temperatures and prevent heat from escaping to your hand (this makes up for the handle).
Additionally, the cup comes in four sizes, each named after a popular beverage to fit your different espresso concoctions.
The stackable espresso mugs relieve you from the burden of looking for extra space. All you need is to keep the cups stacked together to take the space of a single cup in the cupboard.
4. Best Stackable Espresso Cups
- Material: Porcelain
- Capacity: 2.5 ounces (70 ml)
Another demitasse that can complement your espresso machine is the Sweese 404.002 Porcelain Stackable Espresso Cups.
The 2.5 ounces cups feature a high-quality porcelain material that can withstand extreme elements. For instance, they can withstand high temperatures in a microwave, low temperatures in a freezer, or even cleaning chemicals in a dishwasher.
The Espresso cup set by Sweese comes with 6 cups, six saucers, and a stacking stand to offer you a sure way of ridding espresso spills and countering the limited space problem.
The cups offer the most comfortable way of enjoying the sweet aroma and character in every shot of espresso.
5. Best Stainless Steel Espresso Cups
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Capacity: 2.7 Ounces (80ml)
Recaps’ 2.7 ounces of espresso cups offer the best way of ridding the harmful plastic cups and reclaiming your key to a happier, healthier, and more thoughtful life.
The cups are made of durable 304 stainless steel, which is 100% BPA and Lead-free. That means you can use the cups for decades without metallic taste and the risk of chemicals leaching into your espresso.
The cups are devoid of handles. However, this does not affect the cup’s quality in any way. To make up for the handle, experts from Recaps use double-wall insulation to prevent hot coffee drinks from burning your hand.
Further, the double-wall insulation secures the beverages from external elements, thus maintaining their temperature.
Another fantastic feature about the Recap’s cups is their stacked design, which allows you to stack the cups together so that they take the space of a saucer. The cups are ideal for indoor and outdoor applications.
6. Best Porcelain Espresso Cups
- Material: Porcelain
- Capacity: 1.92 Ounces (60 ml)
The following product on our list is the Espresso Parts Café Style Demitasse Cups. The 1.92 ounces cups are made from high-quality porcelain material and fired at 1300 degrees to ensure durability, high density, and chip resistance.
That said, the porcelain cups can stand the high temperatures in the microwave, freezing temperatures in the freezer, or the dishwasher chemicals.
Each cup in the package comes with a saucer, which collects coffee spills to relieve you from the burden of wiping the table now and then. You can also use the saucer to place your coffee spoon after stirring your cappuccino, latte, or any other espresso beverage you might be up to.
The cups’ lightweight of 2 ounces coupled with its 1.92 ounces capacity makes it ideal for use at home, cafes, and espresso houses.
7. Best Stoneware – Le Creuset Espresso Cups
- Material: stoneware
- Capacity: 3 ounces (90 ml)
Le Creuset is another reputable brand that has been offering luxurious and stylish cookware for almost a century. Its stoneware and cast iron products are known for their unmatched designs and durable quality.
The quality products coupled with friendly customer representatives account for the brand’s unmatched reputation since 1925. An excellent example of the Le Creuset Brand is its Stoneware Espresso Mugs.
As the name suggests, the mug is made from a stoneware material, which is sturdy enough to guarantee decades of use. You can use the cup safely in the freezer, microwave, and dishwasher.
Further, the mug features a glazed interior, which makes the cup almost non-stick for easy cleaning. That is not all. The mug’s dense stoneware walls help to maintain your beverage’s temperature.
Also, the walls are impermeable to avoid cracking, rippling, and crazing caused by moisture penetration. Don’t forget the scratch-free exterior that the mug offers.
8. Best Italian Espresso Cups – Made In Italy
- Material: Porcelain
- Capacity: 2 ounces (60 ml)
Want to enjoy the flavorful Italian drink in an Italy made cup? Nuova Point is for you. Nuova cups are made from thick Italian porcelain to guarantee you consistent hot beverages for an extended period. The package includes six cups and six saucers, offering the best way to serve your family without leaving spills on the table.
The edge is thick and smooth, you’ll enjoy sipping the coffee using this cup. 2 ounces capacity is perfect for a double-shot espresso.
Better still, the white porcelain cups will marry well with your table accessories to add glamor to your interior décor.
9. Best Espresso Measuring Cup
- Material: Bonechina Glass
- Capacity: 2.4 ounces (70 ml)
Do not look beyond the Rhino Coffee Gear’s Double Shot Glass if you are looking for a double-spout shot glass. The Rhino’s 2.4 ounces container is made of durable glass, with graduated marks in milliliters and ounces to let you take accurate espresso shots for a long time.
Another fantastic feature of the Rhinos glass is its ergonomic handle, which allows for a firm grip when measuring your shots. Also, the handle prevents your hand from being burned by freshly added hot espresso from the spout.
It’s a perfect choice for espresso lovers for making perfect double espresso measuring in volume instead of weight, so you don’t need a coffee scale.
10. Cute Espresso Cups
- Material: Bone China
- Capacity: 3.4 ounces (100 ml)
Enjoy taking your latte, cappuccino, or any other espresso beverage using a vintage cup from the BRISA-Collection-Espresso-4-pc-100ml pack. The Brisa glasses are made from a durable bone china material to stand the test of time.
Each glass in the package comes with a saucer to prevent the coffee from spilling on the table. Additionally, the cups are dishwasher and microwave safe to allow for quick cleaning and convenience.
That is not all. The set comes in a special cardboard gift box for safe transportation. The gift box is also strong enough to offer perfect storage for the glasses should you run low on space.
The Verdict
Our top pick in the list is the De’Loghi DeLonghi Double Walled Thermo Espresso Glasses. One of the various reasons for choosing this product is its 1.92 ounces capacity, meaning it’s purely meant for espresso shots.
Besides its capacity, the glasses feature a lightweight design (2ounces) and double-wall insulation to allow for a comfortable application across users of all ages, without the risk of heat escaping into hands.
The double-wall insulation further inhibits interference of the glasses’ contents by external elements. Better still, the glasses are stackable and dishwasher-friendly.
However, this does not invalidate the quality of other espresso cup options on our list. Indeed, the cups reviewed deliver almost the same degree of satisfaction. Just follow our guide to claim your way to quality espresso shots.
