Have you ever brewed a cup of coffee that was so nice that you just wanted to sit back and stare at its dark beauty? Well, you are not alone! There is something so appetizing about the look of fresh coffee, but is it safe to serve hot beverages in a glass?
Can You Put Hot Coffee in a Glass?
Getting to the answer to this question is a little tricky because not all glass is created equal. The simple answer is yes, hot coffee can be served in glass if it is the right kind of glass.
Some types of glass are tempered to handle high heat (heat-resistant glass) and these sturdy cups can certainly handle piping hot drinks! However, thinner types of traditional glassware are not as sturdy when held to the flame.
So when you’ve made an IG-worthy cafe con leche, you can serve it in a gorgeous glass coffee mug, but you must first make sure it’s the right kind of glass.
Why Serve Coffee in a Glass Cup?
To a true coffee lover, nothing gets the heart thumping like a steamy mug of coffee! A great coffee is a multi-sensory experience that delivers fantastic smells, tastes, textures, and even stunning visuals. There is no better way to celebrate the natural beauty of coffee than with a clear glass coffee mug.
A glass mug offers you a unique look into the body of your brew that traditional ceramic mugs cannot deliver. Ceramic coffee cups allow you to see the true color of your coffee. It shows how the coffee mixes with add-ins, like cream or caramel.
Overall, if you like to eat with your eyes, then these glass mugs are for you! It’s a delicious spin on a traditional coffee break that invokes all of your senses, but be careful to use the correct type of mug when serving coffee in a glass.
What Happens When Glass Gets Hot?
Glass is made from fire but that doesn’t mean it’s made to get back into the fire! If the glass is not thick enough or tempered to handle extreme temperatures, going from cold to hot too quickly can cause the glass to break. The glass’s reaction to quick temperature change is known as thermal shock.
This potentially shattering reaction means you shouldn’t pour hot coffee into any old glass. If you’re trying to make eye-catching coffees served in beautiful glass mugs, you must look for the right type of glass!
Heat-resistant glasses use some of the same tricks as ceramic coffee mugs, like using a double layer of glass to make the mug’s walls stronger against thermal shock. Heat tempering the glass is another common trick to make it more sturdy. This process is where the molten glass is heated and cooled repeatedly to build strength and heat resistance in the final product.
Typically, glass coffee mugs or serving cups will be labeled with a heat resistance level; for example, the packaging might read, ‘heat safe up to 400 °F.’ It is probably unsafe for hot coffee use if you do not see a heat rating on the glass or its packaging.
Seek out glass mugs that say they have been tempered, have double walls, and/or have a visible heat rating.
Never serve hot coffee in thin or lightweight glass, non-food-grade glass, or any other fragile-seeming stemware or glass. Always be careful not to cool the hot glass too quickly, either. Never run cold water over hot glass coffee mugs; never take a glass mug out of the fridge or freezer and fill it with hot coffee.
What Types of Coffee to Serve in a Glass?
Coffee helps our senses to be awake and alert, so why not treat your senses to something special with a glass mug of hot coffee!? It’s an energizing treat for more than just your taste buds!
Some styles of hot coffee lend themselves incredibly well to glass mugs. Layered drinks and cafe specialties that use dairy are especially lovely when served in a glass coffee mug.
Try these tasty coffee concoctions in a glass coffee mug for a drink that looks as good as it tastes!
Cafe con Leche
A cafe con leche is a hot coffee with milk. This is a traditional cafe specialty and it looks amazing in a glass. To make this deliciously simple drink, warm up your favorite variety of milk and brew your favorite coffee. Pour the coffee into the glass mug, leaving 2 inches at the top, and then pour in the warm milk. Optionally, stir or watch the dairy slowly drift into the coffee.
Irish Coffee
Irish coffee is a Sunday favorite. This classic combines hot coffee, whisky, and whipped cream. Brew your favorite coffee and make a quick whipped cream by pulsing ½ cup of heavy cream and one teaspoon of powdered sugar in the food processor until thick. Pour one shot of whisky into the glass coffee mug, then the coffee leaving about 1 inch at the top, and finish it with the homemade whipped cream.
Caramel Coffee
Caramel sauce has the perfect texture to add some visual interest to your coffee. To make this cafe treat, squeeze some caramel sauce into the bottom of a glass coffee mug, add your favorite hot coffee, and stir to make a beautiful golden brown coffee confection!
Mega Mocha
Try this beautiful hot coffee treat if you can’t get enough chocolate! Brew your favorite hot coffee and grab your favorite type of milk and chocolate sauce. Squeeze the chocolate sauce around the insides of the glass coffee mug, splash 1 inch of your chosen milk into the mug, and top with the freshly brewed coffee. The force of the pour will mix the milk and coffee, making it an excellent tan complement to the dark chocolate drizzle.
