The first morning cup of coffee isn’t just a necessity; it’s an art. For a lot of people, the right espresso is the difference between a good and bad start to the day. What can make drinking this delectable treat even more enjoyable are the espresso cups.
It’s always more fun to sip dark coffee with a dishwasher safe, stainless steel or another robust material crafted espresso cup. Sure, your espresso will do well in any old cup, but having one with the right size, look, and material can somehow improve on the taste.
The importance of these cups may seem a bit silly to non-coffee drinkers, but for the avid lovers of this dark brew, we think otherwise. The cups are also an important part of our morning routine. Why else are some people so adamant about not sharing cups? Just in case you want to experience just how important the perfect expresso cups are, we have a list here ready for you.
View The Best Espresso Cups Below
1. Aozita Espresso Cups
This amazing deal makes it on our list of best espresso cups for the amazing deal. They come in a set complete with saucers, spoons, and even a stand rack. They save space when not in use, and the clean and white porcelain adds a touch of elegance to any coffee table.
The sleek and modern style is also safe and BPA-free. Not only is it a good choice for humans, but it’s also environmentally friendly. Espresso cups made of glass were all the rage, but traditional white porcelain ceramic cups are still sought after. Not to mention, this set comes with everything you need.
Pros:
+ Comes packaged carefully
+ A full set
+ Safe and environmentally friendly
+ Lightweight
Why We Like It – You can choose between the 4 or 6 piece sets, which is a great option for those who don’t often entertain guests and don’t do dishes as frequently either!
2. Sweese Stackable Espresso Cups
No, it isn’t deja vu, the Sweese stackable espresso cups are very similar to our best overall with just a few minor (but pretty significant) differences. You aren’t able to choose how many espresso cups you get in the set, but we can never have enough.
You can choose between sets of multicolored cups or an ombre in every shade of blue. Of course, the traditional white ceramic is available as well. The set comes with everything you need and is safe for the dishwasher and works well in the microwave, oven, or freezer. You don’t need stainless steel to be 100% safe.
Pros:
+ Saves a lot of space
+ Colored espresso mugs
+ Best espresso cups in terms of safety
+ FDA approved
Why We Like It – FDA approved, 100% safe, and comes in many colors? Sign us up, please! We also love how this product comes with everything we need at an affordable price.
3. Evaryl Double Wall Espresso Cups
How about a double wall glass espresso cup? Whenever we picture an aromatic espresso, we picture it being enjoyed with one of these glass cups. It’s a premium experience to sip from these double wall shot glasses. The small little glass cups are heat resistant and somehow retain the flavor better than other generic cups. These glass espresso mugs are handcrafted and 100% safe. They come in a pack of four that’s carefully wrapped, making them a great gift for loved ones or yourself!
Pros:
+ Double wall design
+ Keeps the heat in
+ Handcrafted
+ Insulated borosilicate glass
Why We Like It – We like how these little glass espresso cups keep the heat in and your fingers cool as you bring them up to your lips.
4. Kitchables Espresso Cups Shot Glass Coffee Set
These double wall espresso shot cups have a round shape that prevents heat transfer from burning your fingers. The high quality borosilicate glass is easy to maintain and clean. Even a quick rinse is enough to clean it, leaving no residue. These versatile little cups are great for all beverages.
If you’re feeling like a bit of whiskey during a cold winter night, just whip these out. They are also made at the standard size to fit under espresso machines. The products are so reliable, that they come with a 100% lifetime manufacturer warranty.
Pros:
+ Prevents heat transfer
+ Standard size
+ Constructed of borosilicate glass
+ Great for all beverages
Why We Like It – The 100% lifetime manufacturer warranty speaks for itself on the reliability of the espresso cups.
5. JoyJolt Savor Double Wall Insulated Glasses Espresso Mugs
Double wall espresso cups are all the rage these days with superior functionality. They are known to protect your fingertips while keeping your coffee warm inside. The best insulated glass espresso mugs can even come with a tiny handle. These small glasses can hold 5.4 ounces.
Watching your beverage sit suspended in the uniquely curved espresso cup adds to the optical appeal of this 2-piece set. As another Joyjolt Savor trusted borosilicate glass design, this espresso set is a beautiful addition to your kitchen.
Pros:
+ Holds quite a bit
+ Insulated technology
+ Comes with a handle
+ Borosilicate glass
Why We Like It – This top-quality espresso cup is microwave and dishwasher safe just in case you need to reheat or are too lazy to wash this little espresso mug.
6. LIFVER Espresso Cups
If you are anything like us, we prefer our whites and matching sets complete with everything. These adorable little coffee cups are also boxed in a set of six. They retain heat just as well as glass mugs do and can keep out of your way with the stackable design.
Place them on the saucer to serve them in a fancier way and stir sugar or milk you add into your morning pick me up with the cute porcelain espresso spoons. Toss these FDA approved espresso cups in the microwave or dishwasher risk-free.
Pros:
+ Stackable set design
+ Microwave and dishwasher safe
+ FDA approved
+ Lead-free and non-toxic
Why We Like It – With so many options nowadays for household items, it helps that these are safe and FDA approved.
7. Hoomeet Ceramic Espresso Cups
We have our first very unique design that differs in shape and style from all the rest on the list. These ceramic espresso cups are created carefully then painted in six different candy colors. With the matching saucers, you can choose to mix and match the cups to create your very own multicolored assortment that’s a delightful addition to your morning routine. The stoneware is complete with lead-free glazing and adheres to FDA standards, making them microwave and dishwasher safe.
Pros:
+ Best choice for design
+ Adheres to FDA standards
+ Dishwasher and microwave safe
+ Easy to hold
Why We Like It – It seems that everything about this adorable little espresso cup is made to be ergonomic and convenient for us.
8. Gibson Espresso Expressions Set
If you are looking for something that’s a bit more modern and much more literal, how about these beautifully crafted espresso cups that have every type of coffee type plastered on the surface? It comes with matching saucers and a metal rack to keep everything organized.
Everything (maybe except the rack) is dishwasher safe and non-toxic. The stylish espresso cups are going to transport you to a cafe on the streets of fashionable Paris with the smell of roasted coffee beans and the stylish design.
Pros:
+ Comes in a set of six
+ Matching saucers and rack
+ Dishwasher safe
+ Non-toxic stoneware
Why We Like It – For more traditional designs or ones just with solid colors, these espresso cups are a nice and refreshing change in design.
9. Farnsworth & Lloyd Black Stainless Steel Double Wall Espresso Cups
People with butter fingers may not fare too well with smaller and more breakable espresso cups. This is when a stainless steel espresso cup option is a good choice. They have a mod and luxe look that can be played up or down, depending on the color you choose.
Each set comes with four pieces, each able to hold 2 ounces of liquid. Stainless steel is known for its heat retention capabilities without harming your fingers. There are even little handles for easy handling, and the metallic finish is very trendy!
Pros:
+ Stainless steel heat retention capabilities
+ Steel cups offer a metallic look that is hard to achieve with other materials
+ Has handles
+ Durable
Why We Like It – We like something different once in a while, and since stainless steel is a famous product for thermoses that keep heat well, it’s only natural that they have transitioned to espresso cups.
10. Tombert Stainless Steel Espresso Cups
Stainless steel is fashional and utilitarian. These cups are 100% safe and made from food-grade materials that hold heat well. They don’t shatter like their ceramic and glass counterparts. So if you are a person with butterfingers, this is a great choice! It’s the perfect size for any espresso machine and also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee just in case you don’t like it.
Pros:
+ Food-grade stainless steel
+ 30-day money-back guarantee
+ Perfect size
+ Durable
Why We Like It – We love the thoughtfulness that went into crafting these durable cups. They are just the right size.
Espresso Cups Buyer’s Guide
Something as simple as espresso cups will also certain traits you need to look for. For the coffee lovers, this sweet (sometimes bitter) beverage is not only a staple in our lives, but it’s also quite an enjoyable past time. Sitting with a hot or iced cup of a well-roasted brew on a sunny afternoon is the definition of heaven for many.
Expresso cups make sure your experience is enhanced by protecting your fingers, retaining the flavor and heat, while giving you something pretty to look at. Let’s see what we need to be aware of to create this picturesque scene.
Size
Aren’t all espresso cups small? Well, yes, but a demitasse (the formal name for an espresso cup) can still come in different sizes. You need anywhere from 2-3 ounces for a standard cup. Although we have never heard anyone complain about an espresso cup that can hold more. By larger, we don’t mean there’s much of an increase since that isn’t very conducive to heat retention. For the doppio espresso drinkers, one that goes up to 5 ounces is optimal.
Material & Heat Resistance/Retention
From reading our top 10 list alone, you will know there are different materials used to construct the best espresso cup. Speaking of best, is there a “best” material?
Glass – We must stress the importance of a double wall design for your espresso cup if you prefer the transparent vessels. Among the most common choices, glass cups keep the heat in and retain the flavor. Your fingers will thank you, and they are safe in the dishwasher and microwave.
Stainless Steel – Stainless steel is great at retaining heat if you go for double walls. They are quite sturdy, won’t smash into pieces with the accidental slip of a hand, and are safe for the dishwasher. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that they are not microwave safe. So if you like to heat your drink, a stainless steel option is not what you should choose. If you opt for a cheaper cup, a strange and undesirable metallic taste could seep into your brew. So while stainless steel is very sturdy, it may not be as versatile as glass.
Ceramic – Ceramic espresso cups keep the heat in. They are usually microwave and dishwasher safe, can be brilliant and vivid in color, and a lot come with saucers.
Design & Shape
A saucer is always nice to have, but do you also want a handle? You can feel boujie having a handle you pick up with your thumb and pointer finger, with your pinky sticking out. Shape matters, too. You want one that can cradle the espresso in its bosom.
A tapered design gives you the most flavor in the first sip, and a rounder bottom lets you stir whatever you want to be dissolved in your espresso much more easily. The best thing is that there are tons of options for these cups on the market. The espresso is meant to be enjoyed, but who knew that there was an art to drinking your brew?
Thick rims and walls help prevent heat transfer and sit more comfortably on your lips. It’s somehow worse to rest your lips on thinner and sharper rims.
Color
White cups are the best idea and the most traditional. White cups offset the dark color of an espresso and the caramel tones when you add mixers in. Steel cups don’t allow you to appreciate that even if they possess a white exterior. Ceramic cups are the ones that can come with whimsical designs, but a white interior is always recommended.
Set
Other than the cups, the espresso sets can come with saucers, stacking racks, and spoons. Whether or not your purchase provides everything on this list will not affect the flavor or enjoyment of drinking your coffee. Consider it as a fun bonus.
Conclusion
As if getting the coffee right wasn’t enough, but something as simple as the serving dishes (or cups) can have a significant impact on the level of enjoyment and the taste of your espresso. The best espresso cups will possess a lot of great qualities that enhance the flavor and make your life easy by being dishwasher friendly and microwave safe. There is something to be said about elaborate cups vs. traditional cups, but nothing will subtract from the kick us coffee lovers get out of the “right” cup. Your morning coffee will taste so much better.
Expert Tip
The base can contribute to how the espresso is poured into your mouth. The fluid dynamics are optimal with a rounded bottom and thick rim.
Did You Know?
Demitasse (the official term for these cups) translates to “half cup.”
