Buying guide
Irish Coffee and Heatproof Glasses for Hot Drinks
The stemmed glass that shows off an Irish coffee’s layers, and the heatproof glasses that suit mulled wine and hot toddies. What makes a glass safe for hot drinks.
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Part of an Irish coffee's appeal is seeing the cream float on the dark coffee. A heatproof, stemmed glass shows it off and keeps hands off the hot bowl.
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Types
| Glass | Good for |
|---|---|
| Stemmed Irish coffee glass | Irish coffee; the stem keeps fingers away from the heat |
| Glass mug with a handle | Mulled wine, hot toddies and hot chocolate |
| Double-walled glass | Keeps drinks hot and the outside cool |
Safe for hot drinks?
- Look for glasses sold as heatproof or made from borosilicate glass, which copes better with temperature changes.
- Warm the glass with hot water first, then pour it out before adding the drink.
- Do not pour boiling liquid into a cold, ordinary wine glass: it can crack.
Size
Around 230–250 ml suits an Irish coffee, with room for the cream.
Make an Irish coffee or a pan of mulled wine. For cold drinks, see wine glasses.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a normal glass for Irish coffee?
Only if it is heatproof. Ordinary glass can crack with very hot liquid; warm it first with hot water.
What is borosilicate glass?
A type of glass that copes much better with temperature changes, which is why it is used for heatproof glassware.
How big is an Irish coffee glass?
Usually around 230–250 ml, leaving room for the layer of cream.
How we choose
BeneRecipes compares tools using manufacturer specifications and retailer listings. We have not tested these products ourselves and don't publish star ratings. We explain which type suits which cook and why.
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Recipes to go with it
Recipe · 5 min
Irish Coffee
Hot, sweetened coffee with Irish whiskey and a collar of cool cream floating on top: the famous after-dinner drink.
Recipe · 20 min
Mulled Wine
Red wine gently warmed with orange, cinnamon, cloves and star anise: the smell of Christmas in a glass, with an alcohol-free version for drivers and children.