The short answer: sip mezcal from a small, wide-mouthed cup, either a clay copita or a short glass, never a narrow shot glass. A wide opening lets the smoky, earthy aromas open up, and a small cup keeps each pour modest so you sip instead of shooting. Clay adds an earthy, traditional feel and a warm hand-feel; glass shows off the color and is easier to care for. Here is how the two compare, what else people drink mezcal from, and how to set up a mezcal table at home.
What is a copita?
"Copita" simply means "little cup" in Spanish, and in the mezcal world it describes any small, open cup used for sipping. The most familiar versions are low clay cups, often unglazed outside, that you see at mezcal bars and in markets across Mexico. Some copitas are glass, some are carved from gourds, and some are recycled candle glasses. What they share is the shape: short, wide and easy to hold, so your nose sits right over the spirit with every sip.
That shape is the point. Mezcal is meant to be sipped slowly, often over a whole evening, and a wide mouth lets the alcohol vapor escape so you can smell the agave, smoke and fruit underneath it.
Mezcal clay cups vs copitas: what's the difference?
There isn't a strict line between them. A clay cup is one kind of copita. When people compare "clay cups vs copitas," they usually mean clay versus glass:
- Clay cups feel warm and substantial in the hand, look rustic on the table and suit the ritual side of mezcal. Every handmade piece varies a little in color and shape.
- Glass copitas and tumblers let you see the spirit's clarity and color, are easy to clean, and double as everyday glasses for water, wine or cocktails.
Neither is "correct." Many hosts keep both: clay cups for the slow first pour and short glasses for everything that follows.
Why clay works so well for mezcal
Clay connects the drink to where it comes from. Mezcal is made by roasting agave in earthen pits, and drinking it from earthenware feels like part of that same story. A clay cup is also pleasant to hold for a long time, which matters for a drink you nurse rather than finish.
Our Terracotta Ceramic Mezcal Cup is made in Guadalajara, Mexico, from ceramic blended with local terracotta clay. It is glazed only on the inside, so the surface that touches the drink is smooth and easy to rinse, while the outside keeps the raw earth tones set by the kiln. It is just as good for espresso the next morning.
Other traditional ways to drink mezcal
Clay is the best known, but it is not the only option:
- Jícaras: halved, dried gourds, sometimes on a small stand. Light, natural and very traditional in parts of Oaxaca.
- Veladoras: ribbed glass cups originally made as votive candle holders. Cheap, sturdy and a fixture of mezcal bars, often marked with a cross on the bottom.
- Short tumblers: a modern, practical choice. A low glass with a wide rim gives you the same aroma benefits as a copita.
The one vessel to skip is the tall, narrow shot glass. It concentrates the alcohol at your nose and nudges people toward drinking in one go, which wastes a good mezcal.
The best glasses for mezcal
If you prefer glass, look for something short, with a wide mouth and enough weight to feel steady. Our Smoked Glass Tumblers, Set of 4 are mouth-blown in Mexico from 100% recycled glass, about 4 inches tall, with a smoky luster that suits a moody evening table. For something lighter, the clear-to-amber Ombre Tumblers are also mouth-blown from recycled glass and show off the color of a reposado or an aged spirit.
Browse the full glassware collection to mix and match, or read more about how mouth-blown glass is made in Mexico.
How to serve mezcal at home
- Pour small. About one to one and a half ounces per cup is plenty. You can always pour again.
- Serve at room temperature, neat, without ice, so you get the full aroma.
- Add something to bite. Orange slices dusted with a chile salt are the classic pairing. Lay them on a board or platter in the middle of the table.
- Kiss it, don't shoot it. Take small sips, let each one sit on your tongue, and breathe in through the wide rim.
For a full setup with cups, glasses, boards and candles, see our cocktail party collection. A hand-finished wood cheese board is a good size for orange slices, salt and a few snacks.
How to care for clay mezcal cups
Treat a clay cup like any handmade ceramic. Rinse it soon after use, wash it gently by hand with a little mild soap, and let it dry fully before stacking it away. Avoid long soaks, harsh scrubbers and sudden temperature changes. Small differences in color and shape between cups are part of the making, not flaws, and the unglazed outside will develop a little character with use.
FAQ
What do you drink mezcal out of?
A small, wide-mouthed cup: a clay copita, a gourd jícara, a veladora candle glass or a short tumbler. The wide opening lets the aromas open up so you can sip slowly.
Are clay cups better than glass for mezcal?
Neither is better, they are different. Clay feels traditional and warm in the hand; glass shows the spirit's color and is easier to clean. Many people keep both.
How much mezcal goes in a copita?
Usually about one to one and a half ounces. Copitas are small on purpose so each pour is sipped, not shot.
Can I use a mezcal cup for anything else?
Yes. Our terracotta mezcal cup is just as good for espresso, and short tumblers work for water, wine and cocktails.
How much is shipping?
Orders over $150 ship free within the US. Orders under $150 ship for a flat $12.
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