The 5 Greatest Espresso Cups of 2024, Examined & Reviewed

Proper out of school, I used to be a bookstore barista. That meant I principally labored on the bookstore however would sometimes cowl a shift on the hooked up espresso store. It additionally meant I obtained to mess around with fancy tools just like the Italian espresso machine that value greater than my month-to-month paycheck.

Quick-forward 30 years and the world of espresso and espresso has modified drastically. House espresso machines that pull high quality photographs are extra reasonably priced, and having fun with an incredible espresso at dwelling is simpler than ever. After getting my very own Breville Barista Specific Impress, I made a decision it was time to purchase a correct set of espresso cups. So, I attempted out 15 cups to determine which of them have been the perfect.

The Winners, at a Look

The Le Creuset espresso cups seem like tiny espresso mugs and are the appropriate dimension for a single or double shot. The looped deal with is straightforward to choose up, and Le Creuset’s dishware is understood for its sturdiness. “I obtained my dad and mom a set of those espresso mugs over a decade in the past they usually nonetheless have them and use them day by day,” says affiliate editorial director Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm. 

In case you want a extra classically formed espresso cup, with a wider rim and a narrower base, the Acme Evo Demitasse Cup appears like one you’d discover in your favourite espresso store. The thicker ceramic wall means it’s sturdy and constructed to final. It additionally retains warmth longer, maintaining your espresso heat as you sip.

This fairly priced set has saucers, cups, and a stand that the entire parts snugly match into with out taking on a lot actual property in your countertop. The cups themselves are straightforward to drink from, with a deal with that is straightforward to grip.

The Casafina cups are petite and excellent for single photographs of espresso. The creamy, semi-matte, subtly speckled glaze makes the set really feel fashionable and enjoyable. 

In case you not often drink espresso by itself and as a substitute pull photographs for drinks like lattes and cappuccinos, the notNeutral Vero Cortado Glass is a good choice. Its broad rim reduces splashing whereas espresso drips into it. And the thick glass insulates the espresso, maintaining it heat when you steam milk.

The Checks

• Design Take a look at: I picked up every espresso cup to see how properly they have been made, how sturdy they felt, and whether or not they have been aesthetically pleasing. I then stacked two of the cups to see how secure they have been for storage.
• Shot Pulling Take a look at: I pulled a single shot into every cup to see how properly it match beneath the portafilter and if there have been any points when pulling a shot and catching each streams of espresso. I then positioned two cups beneath the portafilter (if the cups got here in a set) and repeated the take a look at, to see how properly each match.
• Consolation Take a look at: I picked up the cup to check how comfy it was to carry and the way useful the deal with was (if it had one).
• Ingesting Take a look at: I sipped espresso from every cup to see how comfy it was to drink from and evaluated any design elements that impacted the ingesting expertise. 
• Pouring Take a look at: I pulled a brand new espresso shot with every of the cups. I then poured that shot into a distinct espresso mug to simulate pulling a shot for a latte or cappuccino. I noticed how straightforward it was to choose up and pour from and if it dribbled or made a large number.
• Cleansing Take a look at: After every take a look at, I hand-washed the cups to see how straightforward they have been to wash.

What We Discovered

There Was an Perfect Measurement for Espresso Cups

Although espresso cups are available a spread of sizes, a cup will be too small or too large. The cup must be broad sufficient to catch two streams of espresso being pulled directly. Narrower espresso cups—just like the Kinto double-walled espresso cup with a two-inch diameter—have been difficult as they needed to be positioned proper beneath the espresso streams to catch them, or adjusted mid-way. However bigger espresso cups, just like the JoyJolt Savor double-walled glasses, have been too large, holding as much as 5.5 ounces. Even double photographs felt stingy and small in these massive vessels.

My favourite espresso cup from Le Creuset comfortably held three ounces, appropriate for a single or double shot, and had a rim diameter of about 2.25 inches. This was sufficiently big to catch a double stream, however slim sufficient for the aroma of the espresso to be funneled proper into my nostril as I sipped. My different favourite ingesting cups had smaller capacities of two to 2.5 ounces and have been over two inches in diameter, making them good for single photographs of espresso.

Handles Ought to Be Purposeful

My favourite cups had handles. However extra importantly, these cups sported handles that have been sufficiently big to suit my index finger by way of them. The Le Creuset, Acme, Sweese, and Casafina cups all match this standards.

Different dealt with cups just like the notNeutral Lino porcelain cup and Open Kitchen by William Sonoma had small handles that required me to pinch my fingers round them to make use of. The longer I pinched, the extra it fatigued my hand. The Villeroy & Boch New Wave cup, which seemed tremendous enjoyable, was surprisingly comfy in my proper hand. However, sadly, it wasn’t for left-handed of us, because the deal with was angled.

Not All Espresso Cups Had been Good for Pulling Photographs for Espresso Drinks

Pulling a shot immediately into an espresso cup to drink by itself has a distinct set of standards from one used for photographs sure for drinks. For sipping espresso, a cup ought to have a pleasant deal with and a capability for one shot of espresso, someplace between one to 1.5 ounces. It must also be comfy to drink from, with a clean lip.

Glasses for pulling photographs for drinks must be barely bigger, in a position to maintain a double shot of espresso, and pour easily and cleanly. Wider-rimmed glasses just like the notNeutral Vero Cortado and YETI Rambler made it simpler to tug a shot with a bigger margin of error (since they caught extra). Narrower cups, just like the Kinto, required extra precision. The thicker glass of the notNeutral Vero Cortado and vacuum insulation of the YETI additionally maintained the temperature of the espresso, permitting me time to steam the milk and never fear about my espresso going chilly. Thicker, rounded rim cups—just like the De’Longhi double, Bodum Pavina, JoyJolt, and Fellow Monty—spilled and dribbled when poured from. 

Materials Mattered

Each ceramic and thicker weight glass stored espresso hotter for longer. Denser supplies like stoneware (Le Creuset and Casafina) and porcelain (Sweese and Acme Evo) stored the espresso from dropping in temperature. The notNeutral Vero Cortado was made from thick glass and was bottom-heavy. It additionally did an incredible job sustaining temperature. Double-walled glass cups did preserve temperature however felt far more fragile.

The Standards: What to Search for in an Espresso Cup

I most popular stoneware or porcelain cups for his or her warmth retention. Handles on espresso cups are good, however discover one the place your finger can match by way of the deal with loop. Lastly, decide an espresso cup that has a 2.25-inch (or wider) diameter, so it could actually simply catch the twin drips from a portafilter and that’s two to 4 ounces in capability. 

Our Favourite Espresso Cups

What we preferred: The Le Creuset espresso cups seem like mini espresso mugs. I like that they have been bigger, which made them appropriate for single or double photographs. The deal with was massive sufficient for a single finger to suit by way of it, making it straightforward to choose up and use. With a diameter of two.25 inches, double streams of espresso simply fell into it. The rim was nonetheless slim sufficient for the espresso aroma to funnel into your nostril, amplifying the ingesting expertise. The thinner rim is nice to sip from and likewise makes it straightforward to pour the espresso right into a second glass when you’re making a drink. The ceramic materials maintained warmth properly, too.

What we didn’t like: Espresso purists may not take care of the form of this cup, because it’s not conventional. I wouldn’t suggest stacking them both. This set was costlier than the others I examined, although they’re obtainable individually when you don’t need or want a set of six.

Key Specs

• Materials: Stoneware
• Capability: 3 ounces
• Weight: 5.5 ounces
• Dimensions: 2.5 inches peak, 2.4 inches high rim, 3.5 inches with deal with 
• Care directions: Dishwasher- and microwave-safe

What we preferred: In case you want a extra classically formed espresso cup, the Acme Evo Demitasse cup is a good choice. With a slim base and a large rim, the cup options thick porcelain partitions that hold espresso scorching. The thicker porcelain partitions additionally give the cup a pleasant heft and added sturdiness. The cup is available in a variety of colours, from the fundamental white to the extra vibrant child blue, crimson, and inexperienced. 

The Evo has a deal with that’s broad sufficient for a finger to suit by way of, making it simpler to choose up. The deal with is positioned barely increased up on the physique of the cup, which permits two cups to be stacked for storage. The broader, 2.5-inch diameter caught each drip of espresso. 

What we didn’t like: Saucers are bought individually. The marginally smaller dimension means double photographs are a bit tight.

Key Specs

• Materials: Porcelain
• Capability: 2 ounces
• Weight: 5.8 ounces
• Dimensions: 2.125 inches peak, 2.5 inches high rim, 3.5 inches with deal with
• Care directions: Dishwasher-safe

What we preferred: These espresso cups (which are available plenty of colours) have a number of darker freckles that come by way of the comfortable, semi-matte glaze. The result’s a cup that feels heat, pleasant, and alluring to drink from. The design of the cup is each a nod to the standard espresso cup form with a slim backside, in addition to a contemporary tackle it because of the semi-matte glaze and vertical partitions.

The beneficiant looped deal with is sufficiently big to your finger to suit by way of and makes choosing up and ingesting from the cup nice. The rounded backside and placement of the deal with means two cups can stack pretty simply, although something increased than that turns into a bit unstable. The saucer is massive sufficient for a small spoon or a cookie to accompany the espresso.

What we didn’t like: Just like the Acme Evo, the marginally smaller dimension means double photographs are a bit tight. The set is pricey.

Key Specs

• Materials: Stoneware 
• Capability: 2 ounces
• Weight: 3.9 ounces
• Dimensions: 2.125 inches peak, 2.25 inches high rim, 3.25 inches with deal with
• Care directions: Dishwasher- and microwave-safe

What we preferred: This complete set, with 4 cups and 4 saucers, prices roughly the worth of a 12-ounce bag of espresso beans. The set comes with a wire rack that means that you can neatly stack and retailer it subsequent to your espresso machine. The handles of the cups are massive sufficient to suit your fingers, and their rounded bottoms nest inside one another when stacked. These cups are barely wider at 2.375 inches, catching each little bit of espresso.

What we didn’t like: The skinny wire rack felt low-cost. The saucers have been a bit small and due to the decrease profile of the espresso cups, the espresso splashed extra when pulling the photographs.

Key Specs

• Materials: Porcelain
• Capability: 2 ounces
• Weight: 3.4 ounces
• Dimensions: 1.875 inches peak, 2.5 inches high rim, 3.25 inches with deal with
• Care directions: Dishwasher- and microwave-safe

What we preferred: This thick glass cup has a heavy backside for added stability and warmth retention. The broad rim made it straightforward to tug double photographs of espresso with out worry of it lacking the cup. The smoky grey glass felt luxe with out breaking the financial institution. The multifaceted cuts within the glass additionally made it simpler to choose up.

What we didn’t like: The thicker rim meant I needed to pour comparatively quick to stop dribbling. 

Key Specs

• Materials: Glass
• Capability: 3.25 ounces
• Weight: 12 ounces
• Dimensions: 3.125 inches peak, 3 inches high rim
• Care directions: Dishwasher- and microwave-safe

The Competitors

Additionally Advisable:

• Costa Nova Mediterranean Reactive Glaze Espresso Cups: In case you don’t care about handles, these stoneware cups have a beautiful artisan-crafted look to them. The thicker, shiny glaze helps insulate the espresso, maintaining it heat, but in addition makes the cup simpler to wash. 
• DeLonghi Double-Walled Thermo Espresso Glasses: Although all of the double-walled espresso cups I examined felt extra fragile, they do supply good insulation. The DeLonghi had a flared “tulip” form that captured espresso properly and stacked neatly.
• Yeti Rambler Stackable Espresso Cups: These chrome steel cups have a ceramic lining for straightforward cleansing and to stop staining. They’re sturdy and can seemingly final a lifetime. That mentioned, due to the fabric and kind, they do really feel a bit extra like utilitarian tenting cups.
• Villeroy & Boch New Wave Espresso Cup: This set of espresso cups, saucers, and mini spoons is tremendous fashionable and funky in a Dali-esque form of means. The wavy saucers are enjoyable and have loads of house so that you can put a small deal with like a cookie or biscotti to accompany your espresso. The flat, curved deal with can be surprisingly comfy to make use of and maintain, however provided that you’re right-handed. 

Not Advisable:

FAQs

What’s the proper dimension for an espresso cup?

Demitasse or espresso cups usually vary in dimension from two to 4 ounces. The perfect dimension for a single-shot espresso cup can be two ounces, with a double-shot espresso cup being three to three.5 ounces. Smaller than that and the espresso may overflow. Espresso begins to look stingy in cups bigger than 4 ounces.

Must you brew espresso immediately into an espresso cup?

You possibly can brew espresso immediately into an espresso cup when you plan on ingesting the espresso straight from it. House espresso machines will be unreliable in how a lot espresso they make, so you can even brew espresso right into a measured shot glass or a cup set on a scale for precision.

Is it essential to make use of stackable cups?

Historically, espresso cups have been saved stacked on high of the espresso machine, the place the heat of the boiler heated the cups for serving. At dwelling, when you’ve got the cupboard space, you may retailer them in your espresso machine, in your countertop, or in your pantry, choosing cups that stack or don’t.

Why We’re the Specialists

• Irvin Lin is a cookbook creator, recipe developer, meals author, photographer, and ceramicist. He wrote the cookbook, Marbled, Swirled, and Layered, which was picked by The New York Occasions as among the finest baking cookbooks of 2016. Irvin additionally runs a weblog referred to as Eat the Love, the place he’s developed, photographed, and written recipes since 2010. 
• He’s examined a whole lot of kitchen gadgets together with, stand mixers and digital thermometers.
• For this overview, Irvin examined 15 espresso cups. He pulled and drank quite a few photographs of espresso and created a number of espresso-based drinks to search out the perfect cups. He’s nonetheless engaged on perfecting his latte artwork expertise.