I’ve tried just about every kind of coffee hack out there, but nothing beats how easy it is to make something café-worthy with my Nespresso Vertuo.
Whether I’m craving something iced, creamy, bold, or sweet, there’s always a pod that makes it work—and fast.
Over time, I’ve come up with a little collection of drinks I keep going back to. Some feel like dessert, some are strong enough to kick off my day, and a few are so good I make them for guests to show off.
If you’re looking for new ways to use your Nespresso Vertuo, these recipes are my favorites. They’re simple, satisfying, and easy to customize—because coffee should never be complicated. Just good. Let’s get into it.
1. Vanilla Iced Latte
There’s something about a homemade vanilla iced latte that feels like the ultimate win—cool, creamy, and just the right hint of sweetness.
I usually go with the Bianco Doppio pod for this drink. It’s smooth, well-balanced, and designed to shine with milk.
I brew one Bianco Doppio pod over ½ cup of ice in a tall glass. Then I add about ½ cup of cold milk (I use oat milk, but anything works).
If you want it sweeter, a teaspoon of vanilla syrup does the trick. Stir it all together, and that’s it—no frothing, no fuss.
It’s my go-to afternoon drink when I need a reset but don’t want to leave the house. It feels way fancier than it is, and I like that I can control how sweet or strong I want it that day.
2. Salted Caramel Cold Foam Coffee
This Vertuo drink tastes like something you’d find on a seasonal coffee shop menu, but it’s surprisingly easy to make at home.
The key is the Golden Caramel pod, which has just the right amount of toasty sweetness without being too heavy. The salted cold foam takes it up a notch.
I brew the pod directly into a glass with ice. Then, in a separate small frother or jar, I mix ¼ cup of cold milk with 1 tablespoon of caramel syrup and a pinch of sea salt.
I froth that until it’s creamy and pour it right on top of the coffee.
The salty-sweet foam melts into the coffee as you sip, and I honestly crave this one more than any store-bought version.
It’s refreshing and a little indulgent, but still easy enough to make every day. Sometimes I even add a little drizzle of caramel on top if I’m feeling extra.
3. Double Espresso Affogato
I save this Vertuo recipe for dessert nights—or let’s be real, for when I need a treat on a random Tuesday.
It’s such a simple idea: hot espresso poured over cold ice cream.
I use the Double Espresso Chiaro pod for this because it’s smooth and not too bold, so it doesn’t overpower the ice cream.
Scoop your favorite vanilla gelato or ice cream into a small bowl or glass. Then brew one pod and pour it straight over the top.
The espresso starts melting the ice cream just enough to create this creamy, coffee-rich pool.
You can dress it up with shaved chocolate or a sprinkle of cinnamon, but it doesn’t need anything.
It’s one of those quick things that feels luxurious every time. And if you’re hosting, people always think it’s fancier than it is.
4. Iced Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso
If you’re into strong, slightly sweet coffee that still feels light and refreshing, this one’s for you.
It reminds me of the Starbucks version, but I like making it at home even more because I can tweak the sweetness.
I use the Double Espresso Scuro pod. It’s bold, dark, and stands up to the ice and milk without getting lost.
To make it, I brew one Double Espresso Scuro pod and let it cool slightly. Then I pour it into a cocktail shaker (or a jar with a lid) with a handful of ice, 1–2 teaspoons of brown sugar, and a dash of cinnamon.
I shake it like crazy for about 20 seconds. Pour that into a glass and top it with a splash of oat milk or almond milk.
It comes out lightly frothy, chilled, and full of flavor.
I always reach for this when I want something iced but not too sweet—and I love that cinnamon hint with the brown sugar.
5. Hazelnut Mocha
I’m a sucker for any drink that feels like dessert and coffee all in one—and this hazelnut mocha is a favorite when I want something cozy.
I use the Roasted Hazelnut pod because it has that warm nutty flavor and just the right amount of sweetness on its own. Combined with chocolate, it’s basically comfort in a cup.
I brew the pod, then stir in a tablespoon of chocolate syrup while it’s still hot.
I froth about ½ cup of milk separately and pour that over the coffee, then sprinkle some cocoa powder or shaved chocolate on top if I’m feeling fancy.
It’s creamy, nutty, and chocolatey without being heavy. This is one of those drinks I crave on rainy days or when I want a little mid-afternoon mood boost.
You can also make it iced—just let the espresso cool a bit before pouring it over ice.
6. Coconut Iced Coffee
Coconut and coffee might sound like a vacation in a cup—and that’s exactly how this drink feels. It’s so simple but tastes like something I’d drink beachside.
I usually reach for the Melozio pod for this one because it’s smooth, well-balanced, and goes perfectly with coconut milk.
I brew one Melozio pod directly into a glass filled with ice. Then I pour in about ½ cup of cold coconut milk—sometimes I’ll even use the vanilla-flavored kind for a little extra depth.
If you want it sweeter, a tiny splash of maple syrup or honey works great, but I often skip it.
It’s refreshing, light, and not too sweet. I make this when I’m craving something different from my usual milk or oat milk drinks.
The coconut flavor adds that tropical twist without being overpowering.
7. Iced Honey Cinnamon Latte
This drink always makes me think of late summer mornings when I want something sweet but light.
It’s mellow and smooth, with just the right mix of honey and cinnamon. I like using the Odacio pod for this because it’s rich and full-bodied, so it doesn’t get drowned out by milk or ice.
I start by brewing one Odacio pod into a cup and letting it cool a bit. Then I add it to a shaker with a handful of ice, 1 teaspoon of honey, and a small pinch of ground cinnamon.
Shake that for a few seconds to chill it. Pour it into a glass and top with about ½ cup of cold milk (I usually use almond or oat milk).
It has this comforting flavor that feels like fall and summer blended together.
The honey makes it naturally sweet, and the cinnamon adds a little warmth without overpowering the coffee.
8. Espresso Tonic
This one’s for days when I want something totally different—something sparkling, citrusy, and unexpected.
An espresso tonic sounds weird at first, but trust me, once you try it, it’s hard to stop.
I go with the Voltesso pod because it’s smooth and light with subtle biscuity notes that don’t clash with the tonic.
I fill a glass with ice, pour in about ¾ cup of tonic water (Fever Tree or Schweppes work well), and squeeze in a bit of lime.
Then I brew one Voltesso pod and slowly pour it over the tonic. The separation looks beautiful at first—then I give it a gentle stir.
It’s citrusy, bubbly, and a little bitter. I usually have it as a late-morning pick-me-up or when it’s way too hot for anything creamy.
If you’re bored of your usual iced coffee, this is a fun twist.
9. Chocolate Almond Latte
This drink is rich without being heavy, and the chocolate-almond combo is one of my favorites when I want something comforting.
I use the Altissio pod because it’s velvety and smooth, and it pairs well with both almond milk and cocoa. It’s one of those cozy-but-still-light drinks I end up craving more than I expect.
I brew one Altissio pod and stir in a teaspoon of cocoa powder or chocolate syrup while it’s hot. Then I steam about ½ cup of almond milk and pour it over the coffee.
A tiny dash of almond extract makes it even better, but it’s optional.
You can serve this hot or iced—it works both ways. The almond flavor comes through nicely and balances the chocolate, and the espresso keeps it from feeling overly sweet.
It’s a solid pick-me-up on cold afternoons or a warm treat to wind down.
10. Iced Pistachio Latte
Pistachio in coffee? It works—especially when the base is mellow and the flavors aren’t too sweet.
I use the Melozio pod again here because it’s smooth, slightly sweet on its own, and lets the pistachio shine.
This is one of those drinks that feels a little elevated but is still super easy to make.
I brew one Melozio pod and let it cool for a few minutes. In a separate cup, I mix ½ cup of cold milk (I usually use oat or almond milk) with 1–2 teaspoons of pistachio syrup.
Then I fill a glass with ice, pour in the pistachio milk, and top it with the brewed coffee.
The layers look pretty, but I always give it a quick stir before drinking. The flavor is subtle, nutty, and kind of addictive.
I like sipping this in the afternoon when I want something special without it being too sweet or overpowering.
11. Maple Cinnamon Latte
This Vertuo drink tastes like fall in a cup—even if I drink it year-round.
The combo of maple and cinnamon adds a cozy sweetness, and the Stormio pod is perfect for it. It’s bold and strong enough to balance the sweet flavors without getting lost.
I brew one Stormio pod and stir in 1 teaspoon of real maple syrup and a pinch of cinnamon while it’s still hot.
Then I steam about ½ cup of milk (whole milk or oat milk both work great) and pour it over the top. You can add some foamed milk too if you’re feeling fancy.
Sometimes I’ll even dust a little cinnamon on top just to make it extra cozy. It’s warm, spiced, and just the right amount of sweet.
I usually make this one when I want something comforting that still feels like real coffee—not a sugar bomb.
12. Sweet Cream Iced Coffee
If I could bottle this and drink it all day, I would. Sweet cream iced coffee is one of the easiest drinks to customize, and it feels like something from a drive-thru but way better (and cheaper).
I use the Melozio pod here because it’s roasted specifically for milk and comes out bold but balanced.
I brew one pod over a glass of ice. Then I mix up a quick sweet cream: ¼ cup of milk, 1 tablespoon of heavy cream, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla syrup.
I stir or shake that until smooth and pour it right over the coffee.
It gives you that creamy top layer without needing a frother. The flavor is smooth, sweet, and really satisfying—especially when you need a little comfort in a cup.
It’s become a daily go-to during summer for me.
This post showed you 12 best Nespresso Vertuo recipes.
Check out more Nespresso recipes:
- Delicious Nespresso Iced Coffee Recipe for Hot Summer Days
- 15 Nespresso Latte Recipes You Can Make at Home
- 18 Barista-Worthy Nespresso Recipes to Elevate Your Home Coffee Game
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