There’s more to choosing an espresso cup than you might think.
At A Glance: Our Top 6 Picks for Espresso Cups
- Espresso Parts Porcelain Demitasse Cups W/SaucersOur Top Pick
- LOVERAMICS Espresso Cup and Saucer Egg Style
- Bodum Pavina 2.5-Ounce Double Wall Glass Espresso Cups
- JoyJolt Savor Double Wall Insulated glasses Espresso Mugs
- Farnworth & Lloyd Stainless Steel Double Wall Espresso Cups
- TeamFar Coffee Cup Espresso Cup Mug Set of 4
Now, you may be happy to drink your shot from any small cup that you have on hand, but to many dedicated bean-heads, espresso drinking is a ritual. Heck, many caffeine addicts actually have a favorite, go-to cup that they simply must use or their cup of Joe just doesn’t taste the same.
That’s great until the dishwasher (or your housemate) breaks your cup. Where on earth do you start looking for a replacement?
Well, if the worst should happen, or if you just want to invest in a set of espresso cups for your guests when you’re entertaining, we’re here to help you choose the best demitasse that the current market has to offer.
Quick Summary: The Best Espresso Cups
| No products found. | Our Top Pick Espresso Parts Porcelain Demitasse Cups W/Saucers |
| Check on Amazon → |
 | LOVERAMICS Espresso Cup and Saucer Egg Style |
| Check on Amazon → |
 | Bodum Pavina 2.5-Ounce Double Wall Glass Espresso Cups |
| Check on Amazon → |
 | JoyJolt Savor Double Wall Insulated glasses Espresso Mugs |
| Check on Amazon → |
 | Farnworth & Lloyd Stainless Steel Double Wall Espresso Cups |
| Check on Amazon → |
 | TeamFar Coffee Cup Espresso Cup Mug Set of 4 |
| Check on Amazon → |
Before we get to the nitty-gritty of demitasse product reviews, let’s talk about the conundrum of choosing a suitable vessel for the dark brown nectar.
Size really does matter
… when it comes to your demitasse.
An espresso cup is more correctly called a “demitasse.” Demitasse simply means “half-cup” in French, and it typically holds between 2 and 3-fluid ounces of liquid.
A doppio normale (that’s Italian), refers to a cup that holds about 2-fluid ounces of liquid. A lungo (large) doppio takes up to 3-fluid ounces.
Thus, if you like to drink a larger brew, go for the doppio lungo option. If you prefer the standard size cup, the normale will suit you fine.
Our Favorite Espresso Cups
Espresso Parts Porcelain Demitasse Cups W/Saucers
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Espresso Parts cups and mugs are found in cafés and coffee shops around the world. In our opinion, they are the gold standard for quality. The cups come sets of two or six demitasses and saucers. These cups are designed to hold a double espresso, and the saucers will comfortably accommodate a coffee spoon and a couple of sugar cubes.
Made from microwave and dishwasher-safe porcelain, these cups are elegant in their simplicity. Less is more; choose from plain white or more modern colors. These cups deliver a classically stylish espresso cup experience you will certainly enjoy
LOVERAMICS Espresso Cup and Saucer Egg Style
These cups offer a unique styling to and high standards to your espresso routine. We particularly like “Denim” blue “Mint” color options that really make these mugs stick out.
Due to their unique production methods, Loveramics cups and mugs are extremely temperature resistant making them dishwasher safe, microwave safe, freezer safe, and oven safe
Bodum Pavina 2.5-Ounce Double Wall Glass Espresso Cups
Bodum is well-known as makers of high-quality, heat-resistant glassware. In addition to their range of milk frothers, teapots, and French presses, Bodum makes espresso cups.
These double-wall demitasses are a massive nod to the dedicated espresso drinker. The borosilicate glass is designed to keep your drink hot longer, and the clever design includes a layer of air between the glass walls that prevent you from burning your fingers.
The scratch-resistant cups are dishwasher and microwave safe, and can even be put in an oven up to 350oF (if you ever felt the need to do such a thing).
These aren’t the cheapest demitasses out there. However, this set of four was individually hand-blown by artisans. So if you’re looking to teat yourself-give these a shot.
JoyJolt Savor Double Wall Insulated glasses Espresso Mugs
If you want to enjoy the quirky look of double-wall glass espresso demitasses without fearing that you’ll either drop the dang thing or burn your fingers, you might prefer JoyJolt’s offering. These espresso mugs/cups have handles.
These cups have 5.4-fluid ounce capacity, making them ideal for those who like to enjoy a bigger Java jolt. There are two cups in the set, made from condensation-resistant borosilicate glass that keeps your shot hot and your fingers cool should they stray onto the body of the cup.
Farnworth & Lloyd Stainless Steel Double Wall Espresso Cups
For something a little more avant-garde, you could try Farnworth & Lloyd’s stainless steel demitasse set. These cups comfortably accommodate a standard normale and are also designed with handles. So, although the makers insist that these cups keep the heat inside the drink so you won’t burn your fingers, you may feel more secure with a handle to hold.
The set comes with a black, silver, or dark red finish to blend with your kitchen décor scheme.
TeamFar Coffee Cup Espresso Cup Mug Set of 4
We particularly like TeamFar’s stainless steel coffee cups that come in a set of four. First off, the stylish design and mirror shine finish both look great. The cups are made from is BPA-free and non-toxic materials, so you won’t experience that unpleasant metallic taste.
The cups have a double wall, keeping heat in while protecting your fingers from getting scorched. There’s also a rim on the cup to keep it from slipping from your hand. The 6-ounce capacity is perfect for larger shots and makes the cups versatile enough for use when making other drinks.
The cups are also dishwasher safe and stackable for easy storage.
What to look for in a demitasse
So, that rounds up our best espresso cup review section. Now, let’s move on to look in more detail at how to choose your perfect demitasse.
Some like it hot …
No-one likes a tepid shot. As most home baristas know, espresso gets cold really quickly. One reason for this rapid cooling is the low brewing temperature that’s used to preserve the flavor of the grind. The other reason for quick heat loss is the small volume of liquid in the cup.
So, how do you solve this problem?
You can stop your shot from chilling too quickly by using a demitasse that has good thermal insulation qualities. Simple, right? Not exactly.
Different materials lose heat at different rates.
What material to choose …
Okay, so what’s the best material to choose for your demitasse and why?
Ceramic
So, as we’ve discussed, ceramics are a pretty good material for espresso cups. In a nutshell:
- Ceramic (especially porcelain) retains heat well
- Ceramic is usually microwave and dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning
- Ceramics are available in a wide range of designs, patterns, and colors
- Ceramics do not impart any alien flavors to your brew
- Ceramic cups generally come with a saucer – useful if you take sugar
Glass
Glass demitasses are a really good choice for espresso drinkers, but ONLY if you choose the double-walled variety:
- Double-walled glass demitasses have superior heat retention properties
- Glass is usually microwave and dishwasher-safe
- Glass demitasses look très chic (in our opinion)
- Glass won’t affect the flavor of your brew
Stainless steel
So, what about stainless steel …
- Stainless steel is typically not great at retaining heat unless you choose double-walled cups
- You can’t put stainless steel in the microwave (unless you have a death wish)
- Stainless steel is usually dishwasher-safe
- Cheap stainless steel cups can leech a nasty, metallic taste into your brew
- Stainless steel won’t break if you drop it onto your tiled kitchen floor, nor will it chip or crack
Absolute no-nos
There are a few materials that are a definite “nope” when it comes to choosing espresso cups:
- Cheap metallic cups will make your coffee taste “off” and will also burn your fingers
- Ditto the above for plastic cups
- Ditto the above for paper cups
Styrofoam cups will give your brew a foul, plastic taste. Not only that, polystyrene (that’s used to make Styrofoam) can cause cancer and other hideous health problems. So, let’s not even go there.
The bottom line?
The demitasse that will keep your shot hot for the longest time is a double-walled glass one. At the same time, your fingers will stay nice and cool. Cool!
Other practical considerations
Now you’ve decided on the best material for your cups, and you’ve worked out what size demitasse you need, let’s look at a few other considerations that can be just as important.
Saucers and Handles
If you’re the kind of coffee drinker who likes to augment their espresso with sugar, or if you like to dunk a biscotti while savoring the coffee’s flavor, you’ll need saucers with your cups.
Those of you who like a lungo beverage will need to look for a larger cup that has a handle. A larger cup will have a more consistent heat exchange and can become very hot, very quickly, hence the recommendation of a handle.
Now, what about color?
Traditionalists will be unerringly drawn to a plain white, ceramic cup. In fact, that’s what you’ll usually have your espresso served in at your local coffee shop.
However, if you like to have a set of crockery that matches your décor, especially when you’re entertaining, you can choose from solid-colored or patterned demitasses. This style of cup usually has a white interior, the idea being to show clearly the strength and depth of color of the shot within.
Clear glass cups are perfect for showing off the drink they hold and can look particularly impressive if you enjoy a cold brew during the summer.
Wrapping it up
So, that concludes our guide to choosing the best espresso cups for your needs. In short:
- Decide what size cup you need: normale or lungo
- Choose a material that has good thermal heat retention properties (we recommend double walled glass)
- If you like a larger brew, choose a cup with a handle
- Sugar takers and biscotti lovers may want a cup with a saucer
Happy caffeinating!
