I’m currently deep in the honeymoon phase with the espresso machine I got last year, so I’m reaching for mugs that allow me to practice my (not terrible but far from good) latte art skills. The one I use most often is a black-and-white number I made in my weekly pottery class some time ago. It’s large enough to accommodate a double shot of espresso and just the right amount of milk for a cappuccino, is wide enough to fit my milk art attempts, and the glaze on its striped handle dripped in the kiln in such a way that it feels molded to my hand—a happy accident if there ever was one.
You can’t buy that mug, of course, but I’ve left my second favorite latte art-friendly mug for you below—along with recommendations from a host of other BA staffers.
Below you’ll find picks designed to keep your beverage hot through chaotic mornings filled with kid breakfasts and school drop-offs, as well as large vessels that are perfect for enjoying your coffee or tea while curled up on the couch with a book during lazy afternoons. It’s a sort of choose-your-own-coffee-adventure.
Haand 10-Oz. Short Mug
Haand’s 10-oz. Short Mug is by far the most stylish mug I own, in a sort of timeless way. I love the modern look of its straight sides and the somewhat unexpected proportions. It’s also handmade, so it’s perfectly imperfect and reminds me of something I might be really excited to find at a thrift store or flea market. But unlike my vintage treasures, the matte glaze on this porcelain mug is lead-free and dishwasher-safe (it’s microwave-safe, too, though I’d never microwave my coffee).
Beyond looking good, this is the mug I reach for when I want to feel cozy while I sit and savor my coffee. Because it’s shorter and wider than a classic diner mug, I can comfortably wrap both hands around it. —Emily Farris, contributor
Emily Farris
