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10 best milk jugs for the perfect breakfast setup

Why not serve up a little extra elegance with your morning brew?

Jessica Carter
Wednesday 07 July 2021 12:39 BST
<p>Not just for pouring, some can be used in the oven, on the hob, and even as a stand-in vase</p>

Not just for pouring, some can be used in the oven, on the hob, and even as a stand-in vase

Tea time is a ritual that deserves all the flourishes, as far as we’re concerned. We’re talking tea pots, cups and saucers, and tiny sugar bowls – not to mention some well thought-through biscuit options (we need them robust enough for dunking, please). A good milk jug is, of course, a key part of this setup.

It’s equally as critical when serving the perfect cup of Joe, too. Whether you like to brew in a cafetiere or chemex, or have a swish machine with spouts and nozzles at the ready, the right milk jug could not only help you get the best result for your coffee but create a welcome feel of ceremony as well.

What you want from a milk jug is going to depend on when you’ll be using it the most. If you often serve breakfast to a crowd, a larger jug that has the capacity for filling up cereal bowls as well as adding dashes to hot drinks is called for, while if you want to achieve the finest froth for your carefully brewed coffee, a more professional style pitcher is the best shout.

A milk jug is rarely solely that, though. Find one that you can use in the oven or on the hob and it’ll instantly be great for making and warming sauces in too, while large, chic specimens make for stylish stand-in vases. We’ve chosen our jugs with their style, practicality, versatility and price in mind, so you get more than just a great pour.

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These best milk jugs for 2021 are:

  • Best overall – OYOY inka milk jug: £22.40, Roseandgrey.co.uk
  • Best glazed jug – HouseDoctor rustic stoneware jug: £11.21, Idyllhome.co.uk
  • Best glass jug – Ruri small glass jug: £13.56, Nkuku.com
  • Best for elegant design – Vipp milk jug: £36.12, Vipp.com
  • Best for classic style – Falcon Enamelware jug: £24, Falconenamelware.com
  • Best budget buy – George pink block colour milk jug: £5, Asda.com
  • Best for frothing milk – Rhino stealth black milk pitcher: £16.99, Coffeehit.co.uk
  • Best for heating milk on the stove – Dexam vintage home Turkish coffee pot: £9.60, Hartsofstur.com
  • Best for animal lovers – Hannah Turner owl milk jug: £13.99, Beeeater.co.uk
  • Best hand-thrown jug – Lavender Blue Pottery handmade milk jug: £15, Pipersfarm.com

OYOY inka milk jug

OYOY living inka milk jug indybest.jpeg

Best: Overall

We’re really into the Inka range by Danish designer OYOY. The jugs and cups come in retro neutral shades and are shaped so that they stack perfectly on top of each other.

This porcelain milk jug is great as a standalone piece, though. Its blush hue is bang on trend – but understated enough to be timeless – and has a smooth eggshell finish. The ball-shaped handle gives it a really modern look while its thickness and weight tell of its quality.

Its slightly larger size (okay, it might be a touch OTT for a tea tray) gives it a whole load of uses besides serving milk – when it’s not on the dining table ours is on the mantelpiece filled with dried flowers.

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HouseDoctor rustic stoneware jug

HouseDoctor rustic stoneware jug indybest.jpeg

Best: Glazed jug

This cute stoneware jug has plenty of character, thanks to its quirky shape and speckled grey-blue colour. It’ll fit right in with any rustic-style tea or coffee set, thanks to its neutral tone, minimalist Scandi-style design and natural look.

The glaze gives it a smooth finish and subtle sheen, meaning it feels great in your hand. Like your milk warm? It’s microwave safe – which makes this fella great for serving sauces in, too.

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Ruri small glass jug

Ruri small glass jug indybest.jpeg

Best: Glass jug

From ethical brand Nkuku, this hammered glass jug brings a feel of rustic, artisanal elegance to the breakfast table. It’s handmade in India by expert makers, using waste glass that’s been melted down and reshaped.

We love the ribbed look and the fact that it’ll fit in with your tableware no matter what the style. It takes a tiny bit more care as it needs handwashing (being a touch too delicate for the dishwasher), but is worth the upkeep.

  1. £13 from Nkuku.com
Prices may vary
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Vipp milk jug

Vipp milk jug indybest.jpeg

Best: For elegant design

Sure, dropping £25 on a jug that will serve milk and do little else might seem a touch extra, but you really can’t argue with the gorgeous design and satisfying pour of this high-class bit of porcelain. It’s definitely one to store on an open shelf as opposed to hide away in a cupboard; just having it on show will up your kitchen’s style points.

Handmade to a sleek and minimalist design, this chic number is glazed inside and has an earthy-feeling matt finish on the outer. We’re all about that exaggerated spout.

  1. £36 from Vipp.com
Prices may vary
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Falcon Enamelware jug

Falcon Enamelware jug indybest.jpeg

Best: For classic style

The classic white and blue enamel design here means that this jug will never go out of style. Good job too, as it might well last you forever. The material is oven and hob safe (great if you want to warm up that milk) and hardy enough to be flung in the dishwasher. And let’s not forget that enamel is a great smash-proof material for the butter fingered among us.

It’s a really decent size, with capacity for one pint, making it great for breakfast or one of your larger tea rounds. And when you’re not using it at the table, it’s a lovely rustic-looking vase, too: pop in a posie and put it on show.

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George pink block colour milk jug

George pink block colour milk jug indybest.jpeg

Best: Budget buy

Adding a dash of colour to your tea tray, this blushing jug will never let on to your guests that it only set you back a fiver. Made from stoneware, its wood-effect handle gives it something of a Scandi look while also making pouring easy.

It’s a good size, not far off the dimensions of a mug, meaning it’ll store or hang nicely with your trusty coffee vessels, and can hold plenty of milk. There are matching mugs and teapots in the range too, if you like this guy’s style.

  1. £5 from Asda.com
Prices may vary
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Rhino stealth black milk pitcher

Rhino stealth black milk pitcher indybest.jpeg

Best: For frothing milk

If you’re serious about your caffeine and have a professional-style setup at home with a fancy coffee maker, you’ll be needing something like this.

Designed for baristas as well as home-based coffee geeks, this cool, matte black pitcher can really take the heat. The thick stainless steel helps with temperature consistency while also making the jug nice and durable, while the slightly tapered shape is ideal for catching the heat for efficient frothing (get yourself Rhino’s handy stick-on thermometer that’s sold separately, if you really want to go pro).

Comfortable to pour from, its carefully shaped spout is just what you need for perfecting your latte art, and the non-stick coating makes cleaning a dream.

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Dexam vintage home turkish coffee pot

Dexam Dove Enamelware Turkish Coffee Pot indybest.jpeg

Best: For heating milk on the stove

Designed primarily for making Turkish coffee (an unfiltered version made with really finely ground beans), this retro-look jug is also spot-on for warming and serving milk. It works on any hob type – including induction – and its long handle means that you can heat and pour from it safely and easily, without danger of burnt fingers or spills.

It’s made from robust enamel that’s protected against chipping, scratching or staining, and is dishwasher and oven safe. This makes it a grout shout for using to cook and serve sauces for a meal, too.

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Hannah Turner owl milk jug

Hannah Turner owl milk jug indybest.jpeg

Best: For animal lovers

This cute little guy, with bold colours and a fun design, is guaranteed to put a smile on your face at breakfast time. We love the clever way the spout has been turned into the beak, while the handle makes for a great tail. Big, lash-lined eyes and a feather-coated chest finish off the cartoony owl – a great present for a bird-lover.

Made from high-fired earthenware ceramic, this jug is nicely robust and is more than happy to take on the dishwasher.

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Lavender Blue Pottery handmade milk jug

Lavender Blue Pottery handmade milk jug indybest.jpeg

Best: Hand-thrown jug

This natural and earthy-looking jug is made by a Devon-based potter. Crafted from traditional stoneware clay, it’s hand-thrown – meaning no two are quite alike.

It might be handmade but it’s designed to be as practical and long-lasting as everything else in your kitchen cupboards, and is oven- and dishwasher-safe.

The handless design gives this jug an on-trend minimalist feel, while the neutral tones, subtly rough texture and speckled finish make it a rustic addition to your tea spread – it wears its uniqueness and homespun style proudly.

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The verdict: Milk jugs

For its cool design and versatility, the OYOY inka milk jug came out on top. It’s a touch more extravagant than some of the others, but its quality and stylish looks justify the price, we think. If you’re not a milk-drinker, buy it anyway for your next bouquet.

If you want more culinary uses for your jug, Dexam’s Turkish coffee pot is nicely versatile and practical to use. For coffee aficionados, the Rhino stealth black milk pitcher is the way to go: it’ll help you recreate your favourite coffee shop’s brews at home.

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