Unsure how to put your Nespresso Vertuo to good use? These best Nespresso Vertuo recipes will leave you feeling inspired and excited to breathe life into your coffee.
If you’re like me, you don’t like the idea of spending hundreds of dollars at a coffee shop every year just to get your morning fix. I knew I needed a coffee maker, but not one that just pours hot water through instant coffee grounds. I’ve had plenty of bad cups of coffee to know that I had to invest in something a bit more high-end.
Fortunately, the Nespresso Vertuo is the perfect kitchen accessory, especially if you don’t have a Keurig. This brand is well-known for helping its customers make top-quality coffee with just some water and a few Nespresso pods. However, who’s to say you have to settle for whatever is in a pre-packaged disposable pod?
So, with that in mind, I’ve compiled a list of the best Nespresso Vertuo recipes that are sure to tickle your tastebuds.
When looking at these recipes, understand that you need to buy and use Nespresso pods – but only pods compatible with this machine, as Nespresso’s OriginalLine is incompatible with Vertuo machines. While generic coffee pods do exist, they’re usually not compatible with this machine. Overall, Nespresso pods are a bit more expensive than other brands, but the coffee itself is superb, so it mostly evens out.
Plus, a single pod is a lot cheaper than buying coffee from a shop, so it’s all about perspective.
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.
Ingredients:
- Two ounces of your favorite chocolate
- One Genova Livanto Nespresso capsule
- Three ounces of milk or non-dairy milk of choice
Method:
Step 1: Add The Chocolate
Put your chocolate in the mug. It’s best to use plain chocolate so you do not have nuts or anything else floating around your drink.
Step 2: Brew The Coffee
Brew the Genova Livanto capsule and pour it over the chocolate. It should only take a minute or two to melt the chocolate, allowing you to stir it into the coffee.
Step 3: Froth The Milk
Use a milk frothing device to create milk foam. Whole milk is best for frothing, but you can also use non-dairy varieties if you’re dairy-free or lactose intolerant. Pour the froth on top of the coffee.
Step 4: Garnish & Serve
If you’re feeling extra festive, you can dust the top with cocoa powder.
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.
Ingredients:
- One Fortado capsule
- One tablespoon of Amaretto syrup
- Two tablespoons of cinnamon sugar
- Six ounces of milk
Method:
Step 1: Add The Syrup
Start by pouring the syrup into your mug. You may have to use a scraper to get it all off of your measuring spoon.
Step 2: Froth The Milk
Use a frother to turn your milk into foam. Aim for a relatively thick and bouncy foam so the coffee can sit on top rather than mix completely. Pour the foam on top of the syrup.
Add the cinnamon sugar mixture on top of the foam.
Step 3: Brew The Coffee & Serve
Brew your Fortado capsule directly over the mixture. Doing this helps achieve the layered effect. Alternatively, you can brew the coffee into a separate mug and then pour it on the foam.
If you go this route, we recommend pouring the coffee over a spoon dipped into the drink so you don’t dissolve the foam too quickly.
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.
Ingredients:
- One Colombia Organic capsule
- Three ounces of hot milk
- Three ounces of milk foam
- Two-thirds of a tablespoon of chocolate syrup
- One passion fruit wedge
Method:
Step 1: Add The Syrup
Start by pouring half the chocolate syrup into the bottom of your mug.
Step 2: Froth The Milk
Since this recipe calls for equal parts hot milk and foam, you’ll need to make both of these elements simultaneously if possible. If you only have one milk frother, we recommend heating the milk in the microwave so neither ingredient has time to cool down.
Start heating and frothing your milk. Aim for a relatively light foam that can sit on top of the coffee without overwhelming it.
Step 3: Brew The Coffee
Brew your Colombia Organic coffee pod over the chocolate syrup.
Step 4: Mix & Serve
Add the hot milk and mix it with the coffee and chocolate. Then add the foam. Mush the passion fruit and add the pulp and seeds to the top of the coffee.
Finish with a drizzle of the rest of the 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.
Ingredients:
- One Infiniment Gourmand capsule
- Six ounces of hot milk
- Four tablespoons of agave syrup
- One to two chopped hazelnuts
Method:
Step 1: Add The Syrup
Start by pouring the agave syrup into the bottom of your mug.
Step 2: Froth The Milk
Next, froth the milk, so it’s thick and dense. Nespresso offers its own milk frothers, but you don’t need to stick with them. You want it to be thick so the coffee can layer on top.
However, if it mixes with the foam, that’s okay too. Pour the foam over the syrup.
Step 3: Brew The Coffee & Serve
Finally, brew your Infiniment Gourmand coffee directly over the foam. Add some chopped roasted hazelnuts as a garnish. If you’re feeling extra saucy, you can drizzle more agave syrup on top.
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.
Ingredients:
- One Diavolitto capsule
- Three ounces of pumpkin pie filling
- Three to four ounces of almond milk
- One ounce of agave syrup
- A quarter teaspoon of vanilla extract
- A quarter teaspoon of cinnamon
Method:
Step 1: Whisk The Ingredients
You’ll need a mixing bowl and a whisk, which can either be electronic or manual. Add all of the ingredients (except the coffee) into the bowl and mix well. You should wind up with a thick but smooth paste that pours out pretty easily.
If it’s still too thick, just whisk until it’s thin enough to drink. Pour the puree into your glass.
Step 2: Brew The Coffee & Serve
Brew the Diavolitto coffee directly over the puree. Add a dash of cinnamon on top for flavor. You can also add a dollop of whipped cream if you’re feeling extra fancy.
If you liked this post, you might also enjoy our espresso with sugar recipes and our espresso with whipped cream recipes.
