While I have a lot of mugs at home, most of them are just your normal liquid vessel. They just differ in color and the design printed on the cup itself, but otherwise they’re just your typical mugs. But I’m always open to adding more to my collection if I see a design that is pretty eye-catching. Whether I actually use it or not sometimes depends on my mood though.
If this concept for a mug for a conceptual chocolate brand gets made, it’s something worth adding to my collection. The Horeca mug is a concept for Xocoyo, a brand that doesn’t actually exist but can possibly in the future. It draws heavily from Aztec architecture since the fictional brand also draws inspiration from that ancient civilization. You would think that steep staircases and ancient design would not have anything to do with a coffee or hot chocolate mug, but they were able to incorporate it.
The matte dark ceramic brings back the feel of the earthenware vessels from the Aztecs. The mug itself has geometric shapes from their architecture including the stairs-like bottom part and an angular-shaped handle. The wooden base complements the “steps” and adds a more organic look to the entire product. The name of the brand is etched into the mug.
This kind of design blends storytelling and functionality into what is usually a utilitarian object. But if you can sip your hot liquid of choice from such a mug or even if you just have it on display, wouldn’t you want to add something uniquely designed to your collection?
Drinking coffee or tea is often imagined as a relaxing and chill activity. That’s why cups and mugs for these drinks are designed with comfort in mind. Handles are, of course, the main part that makes it possible to hold even a piping-hot mug of cocoa with confidence.
But what if you took that conventional handle away? Would that mean being cursed with cold or, worse, lukewarm beverages only? This mug has a rather interesting answer to the question no one really asked, designing a mug that you can still safely grip regardless of the contents, presuming you have the finger strength to do it. Or, at the very least, develop that strength from gripping this mug made for rock climbers.
Grabbing a mug of hot liquid with your bare hands is nothing short of dangerous, which is why handles were made for this kind of drinkware. As long as you keep most of your hand away from the mug’s body, however, you’re mostly safe from burns and pain. Even if you just need to grip some parts with your fingertips, all will be fine. Hopefully.
The Pinch Hold Mug was designed precisely in that fashion. While most of the mug is smooth, one side has a rough and uneven surface that would remind you of a rocky crag on the side of a cliff. There are specific indentations where you could place your fingers on and grip them with just your fingertips. It’s definitely a precarious grip, unlike the confidence of a handle, so why would anyone design such a mug?
The answer is that while this mug still lets you enjoy your coffee, tea, or cocoa, it also makes you work for it by exercising your grip every time you want to lift it up. In other words, it’s designed precisely to exercise how you would hold on to rocks while climbing mountain faces and cliffs. If you haven’t guessed yet, it’s a mug designed for rock climbers, but anyone with a strong grip can also get some exercise as well.
The Pinch Hold Mug also strikes an interesting visual, with the juxtaposition of smooth and rough surfaces on opposite sides. It’s made from bone china with a white finish, which is a bit ironic for its rocky inspiration. There’s also a tinier Espresso Cup version designed to hold double shots with some milk for those who like their coffee strong and their grips small.
I’m sure you have a beverage of choice that you need whether in the morning, the evening, or night – usually, it is coffee or tea. For me personally, it is coffee! I love coffee, I need it to start my day, or else I simply refuse to start my day! It’s the boost of energy, dose of motivation, and rush of serotonin that I need every morning. And, I’m pretty sure that’s the case for most of us. We all need our cup of tea or coffee. There is a different satisfaction and pleasure in sipping caffeine that you know is the result of your hard work, something precariously prepared with your personal touch to it. And, you need the perfect mug or cup to drink from it. Hence, we’ve curated a collection of well-designed, functional, and aesthetically pleasing cups and mugs that will make a great addition to your kitchen.
1. Hug Cup
Called Imre’s Hug Cup, this cute little mug was designed to embody the designer’s belief that, “we give special attention to things we use in our everyday life. We like to have a personal relation to the objects we touch closely, such as a cup.” The innovative design offers a unique take on the mug’s traditional side handle.
Why is it noteworthy?
The mug allows users to securely grip the Hug Cup while letting them feel the warmth of the liquid contents inside. Imre says “The whole cup creates an intimate tunnel through the cup itself for your finger, you may enjoy the heat of your beverage without burning your palm.”
What we like
Provides an innovative and contemporary twist on a typical mug design
What we dislike
It could take a while to adjust to the new form of the handle. Some users could find it uncomfortable to use
2. Ceramic Mug
Say hello to the Ceramic Mug – this lovely little mug is the perfect example of earth meets wood. It is a symphony of textures that is designed to be an excellent treat to your fingers and lips. When you slowly drink from the mug, you experience an enriching sensory stimulation, which creates a whole new drinking experience for you. Click Here to Buy Now: $60
Why is it noteworthy?
As you drink tea from the mug, you slowly come into contact with the surface, which forms a relaxing and soothing mood for the whole tea-drinking experience. The mug is an engaging product with interesting contrasts.
What we like
Built from quality Japanese ceramics
The mug is quite smooth and interesting to touch and drink from
What we dislike
You cannot put the mug in a microwave, which is quite inconvenient
3. Eterna Glass Mug
Say hello to the Eterna Glass Mug – a stunning mug that lets you enjoy your favorite beverage in style while ensuring you also look after the planet, owing to its glass design. The mug is made from recycled glass, and it is a 100% recyclable product. The drinkware is pretty stunning, merging expert craftsmanship with a love for the environment.
The delightful mug showcases a mesmerizing display of light in every drink. Each glass is made by hand and displays little bubbles, which gives each glass a unique and captivating character. The mugs also showcase a rather luxurious and elegant appearance.
What we like
Sustainable and recyclable product
Boasts an aura of elegance and style
What we dislike
Seems quite delicate, and must be handled and cleaned with care
4. Biomorphic Mugs
These fascinating mugs are inspired by the real and organic beauty of coral reefs, cellular structures, and the networks of mycelium. The diverse pieces seem to be alive with movement. The handles seem to sprawl and move around like living extensions of the cups, forming intriguing web-like patterns, which offer a new identity to the same-old mugs.
Why is it noteworthy?
The handles feature curves and twists, which allow you to playfully interact with the mugs, converting the everyday act of holding a mug into something engaging and sensory. The mugs are also visually quite attractive and unique, allowing them to add some personality to your kitchen or dining table.
What we like
Plays around with the concept of mugs
What we dislike
The handles have a unique form, and they may be tough to hold and drink from
5. Unfiltered Titanium Whisky Glass
Named the Unfiltered Titanium Whisky Glass, this lovely glass draws inspiration from metallic hues in turn building a captivating light and color interplay. This glass provides an exciting visual experience as it is amped with a 1/f fluctuating pattern which reminds you of a murmuring stream. The glass is made from pure titanium and elevates your drinking experience.
Built using cutting-edge technology which creates an interesting color play. The glass is biocompatible and safe, in fact, even more than platinum or glass. It is resistant to odors and stains and maintains long-term hygiene.
What we like
Makes use of advanced space development technology
What we dislike
You’re unable to see how much liquid you’re pouring into the glass
6. Earth-Friendly Tumbler
Called the Earth-Friendly Tumbler, this eco-friendly glass is made from PAPLUS – a new thermoplastic resin that uses biodegradable paper to add durability, moldability, and heat resistance. Normal PLA usually lacks these qualities, making the tumbler pretty amazing.
PAPLUS builds a rather unique and novel texture that is similar to ceramic or wooden cups. When you take a sip from the tumbler, you taste a lovely flavor, which also forms an engaging sensation on your lips.
What we like
Makes drinking water a whole new sensory experience
Equipped with a heat resistance of f 120°
What we dislike
The natural color does become uneven and fade from use, which may not be preferred by all users
7. Eatsy
The designer Jexter created Eatsy by asking himself the simple question, “How might we design an adaptive tableware to enhance the dining experience for the visually impaired?”. The collection includes a set of multi-functional tableware including a plate, bowl, cup, and other utensils integrated with a silicone flap.
Why is it noteworthy?
Eatsy includes a unique silicone flap that can be utilized to increase the ease of usage while eliminating the stigma by combining it with existing tableware. The collection is created for the visually impaired, and it enables them to feel the edge of the container, helping them get through their tasks, and letting them pour water correctly.
What we like
Subtly offer unique sensory cues for the visually impaired
What we dislike
Requires user to have a firm grip on the cup
8. Floating Mug
Called the Floating Mug, this unique little mug is designed with beauty in mind. It is an elegant drinking solution designed to be not only a mug but also a coaster. It serves as two handy products, packed in a minimal and compact form, which is pretty easy to use. The mug doesn’t need any coaster to prevent any stains, since it has an in-built coaster.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Floating Mug is truly a wonder for tea and coffee drinkers, as it functions as two products as one. You don’t need to add a coaster under the mug since it already has one attached to it. You can handle the mug as any other standard drinking glass, and it works just fine as that too.
What we like
Serves as two products in one
What we dislike
The handle is breakable, so it should be used with care, and like a regular mug
9. Mμ
Say hello to Mμ – a coffee cup designed to celebrate the everyday rituals. These stunning Porcelain coffee cups are designed to push the boundaries of ceramics manufacturing. They are designed to be frictionless, and they feature a ribbed design which ensures that your beverages stay hot, and ready for you to drink whenever you wish to.
Why is it noteworthy?
The coffee cup is designed for speed and convenience, and they are made with complete attention to detail, using premium materials and craftsmanship, elevating your everyday tea or coffee drinking ritual.
What we like
The unglazed porcelain exterior offers a tactile feel to the cup
What we dislike
They aren’t portable, so you can’t use them for on-the-go coffee
10. Ceramic Travel Cups
These stunning travel cups by Rebecca Heasman are truly unique and one-of-a-kind. These travel cups are made on a pottery wheel and the rim of each travel cup is thrown at a precise width which enables the silicone lids to fit properly after firings. The designer spent hours testing, measuring, and calculating to finally create the perfect travel cups.
Why is it noteworthy?
The travel cups are designed to be unique pieces of art, and you can admire them as you drink coffee or tea from them. They’re great for your daily commute, work, and when you’re simply chilling at home. Each cup is a beautiful blend of shape and design, and you can choose your preferred liquid amount and have it created.
What we like
Unique and colorful aesthetics that make the mugs stand out
This finely crafted mug makes earth and wood meet in a symphony of texture designed to be a treat to your fingers as well as your sensitive lips.
When it comes to beverages, a lot of attention is naturally poured on the quality of the drink, its texture, its temperature, and even its viscosity. Those qualities, of course, will make or break a drink, no matter what you drink it from. Our lips, however, first come into contact with the surface of a glass, cup, or mug, and that first impression could set the mood for the entire experience. That’s the kind of first engagement that this beautiful minimalist mug tries to perfect in a design that is seemingly full of contrasts blended in an almost divine way.
Our lips are one of the most sensitive parts of our bodies, almost on the same level as our fingertips. Anyone who has accidentally taken a sip of a hot beverage will attest to that discomfort, even before the liquid hits the tongue. It’s a bit surprising, then, that many drinkware doesn’t seem to pay special attention to the quality of the rim of the glass or cup. As long as they don’t cut into the person’s lips, they’re considered to be fine.
The HMM Mugr, in contrast, gives the lips their due. To be fair, it didn’t single out how the lips touch the mouth of the mug, but the soft texture that greets the person’s mouth is a product of the mug’s design. Made of quality Japanese ceramic, the body of the mug is warm to the touch and soft to the lips, creating the perfect atmosphere for a relaxing drink even before you take the first sip.
You wouldn’t actually know that the Mugr is made of that fine material just by looking at it. The mug may try to take your drinking experience to new heights, but its humble appearance is almost literally down to earth. The glaze makes the body of the mug look like it’s made from cast iron, a material that is often viewed as cold, which nicely contrasts with ceramic’s natural warmth.
The wooden handle is another point of contrast. The fine walnut’s lighter tone and random grains are juxtaposed against the uniform appearance of the mug’s cast iron finish. Its textured surface also gives a better grip compared to the smoothness of the ceramic body.
Earth meets wood, and earth meets heaven in a yin yang of contrasting elements that balance each other gracefully. The HMM Mugr isn’t just a drinking vessel, nor is it just a pretty mug. With its minimalist design, smart choice of materials and finishes, and acute attention to detail, the mug tries to elevate your drinking experience, creating a sense of harmony and balance in every sip — a perfect way to enjoy a relaxing drink after a long day.
What’s better than sipping coffee from a Darth Vader helmet mug? Sipping coffee from a chrome-finish Darth Vader helmet mug. The Sith Lord’s black outfit is so shiny you could comb your hair in its reflection, but this mug is even more reflective thanks to its mirrored ceramic finish.
I like to imagine Vader walking around his Imperial Star Destroyer like Bill Lumbergh in Office Space, sipping coffee from this mug while micromanaging the crew about missing cover sheets on their Imperial TPS reports and asking them to come in and work on the Death Star II on the weekend.
If you like your coffee dark, like your favorite side of The Force, you can grab the Darth Vader chrome mug on Amazon (affiliate link) for $19.99.
Because why shouldn’t I spill my coffee all over myself first thing in the morning, this is the Rock Climbing mug made and sold by Climbergoods on Amazon (affiliate link). Each 12-ounce ceramic mug is handmade and features an authentic climbing hold in lieu of a handle. I can already feel myself trying to blot coffee out of my work khakis.
Available with a variety of different climbing hold colors, the mug is the perfect way to let coworkers know you’re a rock climber, without actually having to say you’re a rock climber, or chalking your hands and trying to ascend the side of the building on your lunch break.
I’ll be honest, I’m not confident enough in my grip strength to think I’ll be able to use this mug without shattering it on the floor. I can barely hold a regular mug with a handle, and if it wasn’t so frowned upon I’d drink my coffee out of one of those red beer helmets you see crazy people wearing at sporting events.
You’ve just spent a long day busting ghosts; what do you want when you get back to your firehouse base? Exactly, a nice cold drink out of a mug that reminds you of the day you just spent ghostbusting. And Middle of Beyond has just the vessels you’re looking for with these 24-ounce Slimer and Terror Dog ceramic drinking mugs. I can already feel Egon patting me on the back for a job well done, then taking it all back after he realizes I accidentally freed all the ghosts from the Containment Unit.
The Slimer mug is available in three different finishes (classic, $35; ectoplasm, $40; and ugly spud, $45), and Terror Dog is available in four (Gatekeeper Gray, $40; Keymaster Black, $45; Bronze, $45; and marshmallow, $50). Which is your favorite? I’m particularly fond of the ectoplasm Slimer and bronze Terror Dog, and I hope this serves as a pleasant reminder when my friends are shopping for birthday gifts.
Remember how scary the ghost in the library scene was at the beginning of Ghostbusters when you were a kid? It gave me nightmares. You know how the Ghostbusters theme song goes, ‘I ain’t afraid of no ghosts’? Well, that’s not true; I’m terrified of them: ghosts and my wife whenever she finds out what I bought on eBay behind her back.
I don’t know about you, but my morning cup of coffee is extremely essential for a happy and positive start to my day! Once, I’m done chugging down my morning caffeine, I’m ready to take over the world. I’m sure that’s the case for most of us, although our preferences may differ, some may crave tea, while others may crave coffee. However, brewing coffee or tea is an intimate and intricate process by itself, and a few handy products are always needed to peacefully create and enjoy our beverage of choice. So, we’ve curated a collection of product designs including unique coffee machines, cute tea bag holders, exquisite mugs, and more to make your morning tea/coffee routine just a little bit more enjoyable!
The compact capsule shape of this conceptual coffee maker makes it look like a moon lander for your counter and is obviously powered by caffeine which is only the second most powerful fuel after rocket fuel! The designer’s main focus was to retain some of the rawness and the mechanical steampunk look of the traditional Italian espresso makes while maintaining a clean shape that adds character to the product. There is a tubular water/steam container at the back which I feel can be extended down for added support for the appliance.
Kork Kafeware was designed to encourage people to take a break from the daily struggles and enjoy me-time. Functionally, it gives you the best of both worlds, stainless steel is durable and cork is heat-resistant. The eco-conscious range includes a french press, espresso maker, goose-neck kettle, and coffee grinder which is all you need to enjoy a perfect cup at home. Kork uses the inherent qualities of cork and polished stainless steel to create a natural, functional product designed to last a lifetime. Cork is a sustainable alternative to plastic and offers unique insulative, elastic and lightweight properties to the design.
This tea set will appeal to any minimalist looking to add zen to their kitchen and their life. Designed for a luxury hotel brand located in southern China’s natural treasure—Jintan District, it is a nod to the scenery and bamboo fields. The minimal bamboo-shaped tea set showcases the elegant contour of the product and the features of the tea set as well,” explains the team. It includes a teacup, a teapot, and a teaspoon that can all be stacked on top of each other to create your own bamboo. The little leaf/green shot is a thoughtful detail turned into a spoon that highlights the elegance of bamboo.
The Cupio as an idea isn’t brand new… but it’s the first to be publicly available. It comes with a two-part design featuring a heat-insulated du-ceramic mug and a bamboo-wood handle that’s great to hold and resists any heat. Between the cup and the handle lies the Cupio’s most defining feature… a special design detail that allows you to pull a tea bag into it, effectively squeezing the tea out, while also giving you a place to store the bag as you sip your tea.
The IVY Pour-Over was designed to brew a top-notch cup of coffee. The metal cone helps distribute heat evenly, which ensures that each brew is consistently high-quality. The grooves inside allow for optimal airflow between the paper filter and the cone’s walls, allowing the coffee to bloom and release more flavor. There’s even a small lip on the funnel that helps create the perfect stream of coffee, avoiding any rough splashes or drips.
MyCuppa makes the question “How do you like your coffee?” a little easier to answer! The cup, which comes with its own color-matching guide along the rim, helps you make consistent coffee every time by allowing you to visually judge the coffee’s strength. The color guide ranges from milky beige (which incidentally is how I like my coffee) to a strong, dark black. Just pour your coffee in and keep adding milk or creamer till you get the color your heart and taste-buds desire. There’s even a color-guide version for tea-drinkers, so you can calibrate your beverage’s intensi-tea!
At first glance, the Osma looks like a thermos. In actuality, the metal shell holds the Osma’s coffee-brewing machinery, and the clear transparent top is the drink container. So, how does it work? The best way to describe the Osma’s brewing mechanism would be to contrast it against a commonly-used method: pour-over. This method, true to its name, involves pouring hot water over coffee grounds. Basically, gravity does the mixing/flavoring for you. The Osma, on the other hand, does not let the water seep down; it pumps air up into the container to mix the hot water and coffee grounds.
Scanomat TopBrewer features a sleek swan-neck tap that can be fitted onto a countertop. You can brew a variety of drinks using the TopBrewer app, and your preferred type of coffee will pour out of the faucet. You simply have to refill the TopBrewer with fresh milk and coffee beans every day, and it’s ready to go within forty-five seconds. This is a must-have for the homes of die-hard coffee lovers!
Nesting Cafe’s design reinterprets the iconic Matryoshka doll by attaching a capsule coffee maker to the inside of its steel tumbler and removable wooden cup. The bottom of the wooden cup utilizes a magnet in order to securely attach to the coffee maker so that you can bring it everywhere you go. Once the coffee is finished brewing, then the user can decide whether they’d like to sip it straight from the tumbler, where the coffee from the capsule is poured into, or drink some out of the accompanying wooden mug. The product is comprised of three main parts: its carrying case, which includes a leather strap for easy transportation and the compartment for pods to brew your coffee, a tumbler, which fills up with coffee once brewed, and lastly, the removable wooden mug which provides an additional option from which to drink.
The Kintsugi mug is a result of the Japanese practice of using gold, liquid silver, or lacquer with gold powder to repair broken or damaged ceramic objects. The metals are used to weld and bring together the broken fragments together. This beautiful and elegant mug is perfect to relax and drink your morning tea or coffee from.
The Hourglass Teacup merges a teacup and hourglass, Yeonsoo’s contraption lets you time your brew. The tea rests in the container at the top while the hourglass at the base of the cup lets you keep time rather accurately. Once the last grain of sand travels from the upper chamber to the lower chamber, take your teabag out, knowing that your brew is just perfect!
The Phantom Espresso was born out of a need to make the experience a consumer has with the barista better. You tend to love what you eat or drink more if you have an appreciation for the person making it. The traditionally large espresso machines are obtrusive to the craft and become a barrier between the craftsmen of the beverage and the curious coffee drinkers. By moving the espresso engine below the counter and incorporating bottom fill espresso glasses it enabled the bar to become more open up the bar and let the customers enjoy the brewing process, especially for the seasonal and limited-edition drinks!
If you’ve never seen The Creature from the Black Lagoon, you owe it to yourself to check out this classic monster movie. I like to think of the fish creature in Jack Arnold’s 1954 popcorn flick as the progenitor for the amphibian man in Guillermo del Toro’s The Shape of Water. Sure, it was for all practical purposes a B-movie, but the monster costume was a classic, and is still recognized to this day, some 65 years later.
Fans of the swamp creature who also enjoy tiki drinks will want to check out this awesome ceramic tiki mug.
Designed by Doug P’Gosh and Matthew Black for Tiki Farm, the hefty ceramic mug offers up a great likeness of the monster that came out of the swamp to steal away his love. It holds 16 oz., and measures 6.5″ tall, and is glazed in yellow and Gillman green. Despite the movie being shot in black and white, we’ve always assumed that the creature was this color too, but for all we know, he could have been shades of pink and purple. Not so scary now, are you?
The The Creature from the Black Lagoon mug is heading to Mondo in spring 2020, but you should be able to pre-order it soon. Keep an eye out on their website for order details – and be sure to check out all of the other awesome stuff they sell while you’re at it! And if you’re looking for a recipe for something to serve in your creature mugs, try some swamp water punch.
Coffee and video games don’t generally mix. After all, reaching down from your controller in the middle of a game to grab a sip usually results in a nasty mouth burn or hot coffee spilled all over the place. Best to stick with something cold and in a can while playing. But in between gaming sessions, a cup of joe is a nice way to recaffeinate before the next round. These Super Mario Bros. themed mugs are a great way to enjoy your coffee break.
Choose from either a Koopa Troopa shell or a Boo vampire ghost ceramic mug, each of which holds an ample 22 oz. of your favorite hot beverage. Both mugs are officially licensed by Nintendo, and are officially awesome gifts for Super Mario fans.
So put on your overalls and warp pipe your way over to ThinkGeek now to grab these mugs before they’re gone. They’re just $14.99 each.
