JonDent - Exploring Electronic Music: Cortados/Gibraltar's/Piccolos

Tuesday, 13 May 2025

Cortados/Gibraltar's/Piccolos - Glass and cup sizes

In the coffee world glass sizes and cups vary alot, esp in different parts of the world.

These are some of the most common:

Piccolo

A piccolo glass typically holds 3-4 ounces (85-114 ml) of liquid. This small size is designed to hold a single shot of espresso with a small amount of steamed and stretched milk, often with a light layer of microfoam on top. It is smaller than other common coffee sizes like lattes or flat whites.

To the left is a pic of a Duralex Picardie 3oz/90ml Glass.

The wide rim to helps making latte art, but the duralex glass isn't good at holding in heat. Industrial looking ... crystal its not! But I like that.

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

Piccolo Latte: The term "piccolo" itself means "small" in Italian, and a piccolo latte is a small, espresso-based drink.

Size: The 3-4 ounce (85-114ml) size is standard for piccolos.

Ingredients: A piccolo latte consists of a single shot of espresso and steamed milk.

Texture: It has a light layer of microfoam on top, giving it a velvety texture.

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Cortado

A cortado glass is typically around 4.5 ounces (133ml) in size.

The example below is Vero cortado glass 4.25oz/125ml

Some variations exist, with some serving it in slightly smaller 4 oz (120ml) glasses, especially for competitions or to highlight the sweetness of the coffee.

The cortado is larger in volume than a macchiato, and smaller than a cappuccino. The VERO glass has exaggerated facets for a modern appearance and comfortable hold.

The key characteristic is that it's a small glass, designed to hold a 1:1 ratio of espresso to steamed milk.

This is a Libbey/Onis LB15248 Gibraltar - Rocks.

Its 133ml.

This company has been around since 1818.

I adore this cup. It looks classy.

Lovely thick base ... great heat retention.

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Gibraltar

A Gibraltar glass, specifically a Libbey Gibraltar Rocks Glass, is typically around 8-10 ounces (237-296ml).

The one I like the most is mid-way in size ... the Libbey Onis Gibraltar Tall rocks LB15231.

Its 266ml

These glasses are designed with a short, wide shape, making them suitable for serving spirits neat or on the rocks, as well as classic cocktails. Great thermal properties. thick base.

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

Capacity:

The most common size is 8 ounces (237ml), but they can also be found in 7 ounces (207ml) and 10 ounces (296ml).

Dimensions:

While the exact dimensions can vary slightly between manufacturers, they are generally around 9cm (3.5 inches) in height and 8.6cm (3.4 inches) in diameter.

Shape:

They are characterized by their short, wide shape, resembling a tumbler.

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Some of my other glasses :

A standard 60ml/2oz espresso cup.

lovely mouth feel. Thick porcelain.

Excellent heat retention.

Too small for latte art.

Almost 90ml/3oz

Piccolo size.

The hardest one for latte art.

This is 145ml.. just shy of 5oz

Slightly larger than Cortado size

Narrow rim , so its harder to pour latte art.

235ml... just shy of 8oz

Gibraltar size... almost.

This is a Decent Espresso Tipsy ceramic cup.

I love their asymmetry.

Designed so you can smell your coffee while you taste.

They come in 3 sizes:

Little Tipsy: 90ml/3oz

Tipsy Latte : 180ml/6oz

More Tipsy Latte : 250ml/8.5oz

The last two cups are aimed at milk based drinks. Makes latte art easier and the thin walls (walls are heat sinks) allow you to get away with using cooler (and sweeter) milk .