Making coffee with Nespresso is a wonderful experience because you get to choose from several different kinds of coffees and coffee makers and are bound to end up finding one that is just right for you.
They have two distinct lines: Original and Vertuo.
This article starts by exploring the difference between both and then goes on to recipes for coffees you can make with each line. So keep reading.
Step 1: Choose between Nespresso Original and Nespresso Vertuo
There are two different kinds of Nespresso machines you can use to make coffee. These include the Original and Vertuo lines.
The Nespresso Original machine offers variability of brands and flavors for pod use (single use blended coffee). On the other hand, the Vertuo offers different size pods which allows you to customize your drinking style.
You can get the same result from your Original machines but using more of the smaller pods and making a larger cup of espresso. This does of course mean you will end up with more coffee.
Picking the Original machine means you can choose from any number of coffee pods from several hundreds of brands. You can only use Nespresso’s pods with the Vertuo.
Step 2: Pick Your Coffee Pod
Next, choose your coffee. With Nespresso, you can get a sleeve (10 pods) or individual pods for more variety in flavor. There are several different kinds of options, each with varying amounts of caffeine and bitterness.
If you visit the Nespresso website and open the product page for any of their sleeves, you’ll see a description of its intensity, cup size, aromatic profile, and aromatic notes. With the huge variety available, you’re bound to find one that is just right for you.
We’d always recommend a dark roast with a slightly bitter flavor for an espresso especially when going with a Nespresso pod.
If you went with the Original machine, consider the following sleeves:
For the Nespresso Vertuo, consider:
Nespresso also has a line of sleeves specifically designed for iced coffee. Since that is what you’re looking for, it will be great for you to consider them too. Many iced coffee lovers prefer to use them over the typical blends.
Iced Coffee Blends – The VertuoLine
The Nespresso VertuoLine has three coffee blends that are specifically designed to be poured over ice. This makes them well suited to be used in iced coffee. As such, they’re an absolute delight.
1. Tropical Coconut Flavor over ice (230 ml or full cup)
A blend of light-roasted Brazilian Arabica and a dark roasted Ethiopian Arabica brings you the perfect mix of sweetness and intensity. There’s a hint of coconut and vanilla in this blend which allows for a strong smell during brewing.
The aroma dies down a little and becomes more subtle by the time the coffee reaches your cup.
2. Ice Forte (230 ml)
Ice Forte is a blend of two coffee varieties as well. It has Indonesian Arabica and Colombian Arabica for the ideal mix of deep woody flavors and peppery tastes.
3. Ice Leggero (80 ml)
The last of the ice coffee specific sleeves in the VertuoLine is the Ice Leggero – a Peruvian coffee and Indonesian Java mix. It incorporates cereal notes and sweetness to give you the perfect blend.
Both coffees are dark roast so you’re likely to taste a hint of bitterness as well.
Iced Coffee Blends – The Original Line
The original line also has three sleeves. They’re designed as 40 ml single espresso shots.
1. Coconut Flavor over Ice
The overall flavor is similar to the Vertuo version. However, this has a more mellow finish because of the mid-roast Brazilian beans. The Central American beans used instead of the Ethiopian ones in the Vertuo version give this blend a well-rounded taste that has a hint of vanilla.
2. Freddo Delicato
A combination of Kenyan and Indonesian Java coffee, this sleeve is a gentle coffee blend. You’re going to get a gentle iced coffee if you use it which will have a refreshing and slightly sweet taste.
3. Freddo Intenso
Freddo Intenso is the opposite of Delicato. It has an intense and rich flavor using Peruvian and Indonesian coffee. Both beans are medium roast and mean the coffee made with them is only slightly bitter and less sweet than Delicato.
Step 3a: Making Original Nespresso Coffee
Making iced coffee with the Original Nespresso machine is fairly simple. All you need are:
- 1 Nespresso capsule
- 3 ice cubes
- 90 ml of cold water
Follow this step by step guide to make your iced coffee:
- Place the ice cubes in your glass
- Run your Original Nespresso Coffee maker with the capsule and extract it over the top of the ice cubes
- Pour in the 90 ml of water
- Taste your coffee. Drink it if you’re fine with it or dilute it with a bit more water or coffee if you aren’t a big fan of the flavor
Step 3b: Making Vertuo Nespresso Coffee
Given the Vertuo Lines versatility in terms of Nespresso pods that can be used in it, we’re going to go over three recipes you can follow. These include:
- Milk and spiced coffee
- Iced Cappuccino
- Iced latte
We’ll go over each of these recipes exploring their ingredient list and method.
Milk and spiced coffee
What you need:
- 2 capsules of Ristretto (any subtype)
- 4 tbsp of crushed ice
- Cold milk
- Ground cinnamon
How to make:
- Place the crushed ice in your glass
- Extract the 2 Espresso capsules in your machine and add to your glass
- Pour the milk into your Aeroccino milk frother and then into your glass
- Remember to transfer some spoonfuls of the froth as well.
- Sprinkle with cinnamon and serve
Iced cappuccino
What you need:
- 1 capsule of Ispirazione Firenze Arpeggio (you can get the decaffeinated version if you want)
- 2 ice cubes
- Ice cold full fat milk
- 4 grams of sugar
- 2 pinches of chocolate shavings
How to make:
- Add the sugar and half of the chocolate shavings to a glass
- Extract your coffee capsule using the Vertuo Nespresso machine over the sugar and spices
- Pour the milk into a frother, run the machine till there is froth, and add it over into your glass
- Sprinkle some chocolate shavings over the top
Iced latte
What you need:
- 2 capsules of Ristretto (whichever flavor you like – Italian or Indian)
- Cold milk
- Ice cubes
How to make:
- Place the capsules in your Vertuo Nespresso machine and extract it
- Pour cold milk into a glass
- Pour the prepared coffee over the milk
- Slowly add the ice according to what you’re looking for
Step 4: Pair your coffee with a dessert
There are several desserts that go really well with coffees. These include:
- Chocolate cookies
- Cinnamon cake
- Lemon blueberry muffins
- Baked donuts with vanilla glaze
- Lemon ginger cake
- Peanut butter tart
Why does coffee go well with pastries?
Coffee, irrespective of blend and roast, is bitter.
Reader’s Digest explains that the caffeine in it blocks nerve cell membrane receptors. In addition to getting rid of your fatigue, this decreases your sensitivity to flavors like sweetness.
Since it’s harder to pick up sweetness, you want more and more pastries.
Decaf coffee doesn’t have the same effect because it doesn’t have caffeine.
FAQ Section
How do I make a Nespresso iced coffee?
Place 3 ice cubes in a glass. Extract one capsule of Nespresso coffee in your Original machine and pour it over the ice. Then add 90 ml of cold water and take a sip. If you’re happy with the taste, serve your drink. If not, add some extra water or milk until the drink is to your liking.
Can you use Nespresso pods for iced coffee?
Yes, you can use Nespresso pods for iced coffee. Amend your regular coffee making process by extracting your coffee pods over 3 ice cubes and later adding in cold water. You can use a milk frother to top off the drink with froth or sprinkle cinnamon or chocolate shavings on it.
Can you brew cold coffee with Nespresso?
Yes, you can use the following Nespresso pods to brew iced coffee:
- Tropical Coconut Flavor over ice
- Ice Forte
- Ice Leggero
- Freddo Delicato/Intenso
- Ristretto (almost all subtypes)
Which Nespresso is best for iced coffee?
The Ristretto line has great generic dark roast bold flavors which make excellent iced coffees. The coconut flavors are best for people who specifically want hints of coconut and vanilla in their drinks.
How do you make Nespresso Vertuo iced coffee?
Make milk and spiced coffee by placing 4 tbsp of crushed ice in a glass. Then extract two espresso capsules over the ice. Preferably use a type of Ristretto. On the side, put cold milk into a frother until you have a foamy substance. Add two to three spoonfuls on the top of your drink. Sprinkle it with cinnamon or nutmeg and serve.
