Espresso cups

Espresso cups for coffee lovers

Smaller than regular coffee cups, espresso cups are the perfect size for enjoying a hot double espresso. Our extensive assortment of cups and mugs includes lots of espresso cups in beautiful and functional designs.

Which are the most popular espresso cups?

Espresso cups come in all shapes, colours and small sizes. Here you will find lots of popular espresso cups and glasses from a curated collection of renowned brands, such as Iittala, HKliving and Kähler.

Top 3 most popular espresso cups

1. Nordic Sand espresso mug by Broste Copenhagen
2. Pion espresso cup by House Doctor
3. Räsymatto espresso cup by Marimekko 

What to consider when buying espresso cups:

If you want to enjoy your espresso to the fullest, make sure to drink it out of a proper espresso cup. The design of modern coffee cups can vary greatly, which is why we have compiled a guide to help you choose the perfect espresso cup, suited for a true coffee enthusiast. Keep reading to learn more about what to consider when buying espresso cups.

How big should an espresso cup be and how much coffee should it hold?

Espresso is a quite concentrated coffee variety meant to be enjoyed in small quantities. An espresso cup should be able to hold a double espresso, which is usually around 60 ml. With this in mind, an espresso cup should be of a size of around 90 ml. However, this does come down to personal preference.

Does the thickness of the walls of the espresso cup matter?

Italian style coffee cups usually have thick ceramic walls that retain heat well. Some even say that the thicker rim that those types of cups provide sit nicer against your lips, providing a more enjoyable coffee experience. However, all ceramic and porcelain cups should have sufficient heat retention for average consumption. It all comes down to personal aesthetic preference, and what you feel is most comfortable to drink out of.

Does the shape of the espresso cup matter?

The short answer is yes, the shape of your espresso cup will affect your espresso. Ideally you want an espresso cup that tapers in with a rounded inside. The rounded inside of the cup will affect the espresso when it is poured into the cup, allowing the espresso to swirl around nicely, and the crema to float on top. The result is a release of aroma that can be felt even before you take that first sip of wonderful espresso.

What material should espresso cups be made of?

The material choice of espresso cups will have more than just a great impact on aesthetics. Material choice also affects how well they hold heat, as well as how the cups should be cared for.

Ceramic espresso cups

Most espresso cups are made of various types of ceramics, making them both durable and great at retaining heat. Worth to note is that the look of a ceramic cup can vary greatly based on how it is shaped, glazed and what type of ceramic it is. 

This opens up for a wide variety of opportunities to find great espresso cups that suit your particular style. Perhaps you want a set of rustic looking stoneware cups, such as the ones from Broste Copenhagen’s Nordic Sea collection. Or maybe just a plain white set of espresso cups, such as the ones from Höganäs, that makes it easy to enjoy the beautiful brown colours of the espresso.

Glass espresso cups

Glass espresso cups provide you with a wonderful show when pouring your coffee, and great view once the espresso has been poured. However, the downside with glass espresso cups is that they are not great at retaining heat. How important this is comes down to a matter of personal preference.

Ferm Living’s Ripple glassware collection includes a wonderful set of espresso cups in both clear and grey glass, making the moment you enjoy your espresso even better with their beautiful design.

Double wall glass espresso cups

Double wall glass espresso cups have the elegant translucency of regular glass espresso cups, while having much greater heat retention capabilities, making them perfect for enjoying a shot of hot espresso. Double wall glass espresso cups are also much lighter than ones made of ceramic, making for a pleasant cup to hold.

The Sorrento collection by Zwilling includes several double wall glass designs, including some lovely espresso glasses that can be bought in a pack of two. The glasses also feature a design that is rounded inside, making them perfect for espresso.

How to keep your espresso warm:

Warm your cups before pouring your coffee into them. Doing so will keep your espresso warm for even longer than the heat retention of the cups would normally allow. This can be done by putting them in hot water, or alternatively by filling them with water and heating them in the microwave. But remember to pay close attention to the manufacturer's care instructions, and make sure that you coffe mugs or cups are safe for use in the microwave.

Caution: Make sure that there is water in your cups when heating them in the microwave, as otherwise they might break.