These five recipes go beyond standard espresso to make the most of your Vertuo machine.
The larger pour sizes of Vertuo capsules work well for iced drinks and milk-based recipes. We cover options that highlight what the system does well.
Quick tip: These recipes call for different Vertuo capsules (Livanto, Fortado, Colombia, etc.). A Vertuo Variety Pack lets you try all five without buying each flavor separately.
1. Mocha Latte
Let’s kick things off with something simple and delicious. This recipe is perfect for chocolate lovers, as it uses just a bit of chocolate to indulge your sweet tooth without going overboard. Plus, you can use whatever kind of chocolate you like, so this recipe is endlessly customizable.
For example, using a bit of white chocolate gives you a much different flavor profile than dark or hazelnut varieties.
Mocha Latte Recipe
Equipment
- Nespresso Vertuo
- Mug
- Milk frother
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup chocolate of choice
- 1 Genova Livanto Nespresso capsule
- 3 oz milk or non-dairy milk of choice
- Dash of cocoa powder optional
Instructions
- Break the chocolate into small chunks and put it in the mug. It’s best to use plain chocolate.
- Brew the coffee over the chocolate.
- Wait a minute or two for the chocolate to begin to melt, and then give it a stir.
- Froth the milk using a device of choice. You can pour milk into a French press and pull the plunger up and down until it gets foamy if you don’t own a milk frother. If using a frother that doesn’t warm the milk, heat it in a microwave or on the stove until just before boiling point.
- Pour the steamed milk on top of the coffee.
- Garnish with cocoa powder and serve.
2. Amaretto Spiced Latte
If you’re familiar with Amaretto, you know it’s a hazelnut liqueur. However, this particular recipe doesn’t use alcohol, so you can feel free to enjoy this coffee any time of day. That said, the beverage is still pretty decadent, so we recommend limiting your intake, so you don’t overload on sugar and calories.
When following this recipe, you may be able to get a layering effect with the coffee, making this beverage both tasty and visually appealing. However, even if the coffee doesn’t look right, it will go down smoothly.
Amaretto Spiced Latte Recipe
Equipment
- Nespresso Vertuo
- Mug
- Spoon
- Milk frother
Ingredients
- 1 Fortado capsule
- 1 tbsp alcohol-free Amaretto syrup
- 2 tbsp cinnamon sugar
- 6 oz milk
Instructions
- Pour the syrup into a mug.
- Froth the milk and pour it into the mug.
- Add the cinnamon sugar mixture on top of the foam.
- Brew the coffee directly over the mixture.
3. Choco Passion Cappuccino
There are few coffees as indulgent and satisfying as a cappuccino. This drink is perfect for cool autumn mornings or cold winter days when you just want to sit inside and snuggle under a blanket. Since this type of coffee is smoother and richer than other varieties, you only need one or two cups to feel incredible.
This particular recipe mixes chocolate and passion fruit for a tropical and exotic mixture. Feel free to substitute other fruits to see what other flavor combinations work best for your tastebuds.
Choco Passion Cappuccino Recipe
Equipment
- Nespresso Vertuo
- Mug
- Milk frother
Ingredients
- 1 Colombia Organic capsule
- 6 oz milk
- 2 tsp chocolate syrup
- 1 passion fruit wedge
Instructions
- Pour half of the chocolate syrup into a mug.
- Froth the milk, aiming to produce equal parts steamed milk and foam.
- Brew the coffee.
- Use a spoon to hold back the foam as you pour the milk over the coffee. Then, spoon the foam on top.
- Mush the passion fruit and add the pulp and seeds to the top of the coffee.
- Finish with a drizzle of chocolate syrup.
4. Roasted Hazelnut Latte Macchiato
As you can see, most of these recipes are perfect for those who have a sweet tooth. Hazelnut flavors work perfectly with most coffee blends, offering a delicate nutty aroma and flavor that enhances the taste of the coffee without overwhelming it. A macchiato is like a cappuccino in that it offers a smooth and luxurious mouthfeel without being too decadent.
Roasted Hazelnut Latte Macchiato Recipe
Equipment
- Nespresso Vertuo
- Milk frother
- Mug
Ingredients
- 1 Infiniment Gourmand capsule
- 6 oz hot milk
- 4 tbsp agave syrup
- 1-2 chopped hazelnuts
Instructions
- Pour the agave syrup into a mug.
- Froth the milk.
- Pour the milk over the agave syrup.
- Brew the coffee over the milk and syrup.
- Add some chopped roasted hazelnuts as a garnish.
5. Pumpkin Spice Latte
As soon as the weather starts to get colder, it unofficially becomes pumpkin spice latte season. Fortunately, you don’t need to drop big bucks to get your fix, as this recipe delivers the same (if not better) experience right at home. Plus, since you’re in charge of the ingredients, you can make it as indulgent as you like.
Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe
Equipment
- Nespresso Vertuo
- Mug
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
Ingredients
- 1 Diavolitto capsule
- 3 oz pumpkin pie filling
- 3-4 oz almond milk
- 1 oz agave syrup
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Heat the almond milk in the microwave or stove until just before boiling point.
- Add all ingredients (except the coffee) into a bowl and whisk until a paste forms.
- Pour the puree into a mug.
- Brew the coffee into the same mug.
- Add a dash of cinnamon on top for flavor. You can also add a dollop of whipped cream.
Recommended Equipment
To make all of these recipes, you’ll want to have the right equipment on hand. Here’s a quick summary of what we recommend:
- Nespresso VertuoPlus – The essential machine for all these recipes
- Nespresso Vertuo Pods Variety Pack – Get a selection of different roasts
- Zulay Milk Frother – For perfectly frothed milk in lattes and cappuccinos
If you liked this post, you might also enjoy our espresso with sugar recipes and our espresso with whipped cream recipes.
More Nespresso & Espresso Content
- Do Nespresso Pods Contain Sugar?
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- 23 Best Nespresso Coffee Pods
- Is Cold Brew Stronger Than Espresso?
- Best Starbucks Coffee: 14 Drinks To Try
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What We Actually Do Differently
Full disclosure: we’ve made this recipe dozens of times, and here’s how we’ve tweaked it for our taste:
The measurements above are a solid starting point, but coffee strength is deeply personal. We usually bump up the coffee by about 15% because we like it punchy. If you’re sensitive to bitterness, scale back slightly and compensate with a longer steep time.
Fresh beans make a noticeable difference here. Anything roasted within the last 3 weeks works great. Supermarket beans that have been sitting for months? You’ll taste the staleness. Not a dealbreaker, but worth knowing.