How to make a latte with nespresso vertuo

Lattes are milky coffee drinks you can make with a single or double shot of espresso and about twice as much milk. Compared to other coffee makers, making a hot or iced Nespresso latte is a breeze. But with so many Nespresso capsules for lattes to choose from, which ones should you use? We explain how to make a latte with a Vertuo or Original Nespresso machine. Plus, we review all of the best Nespresso pods for a latte.

The Difference Between A Caffe Latte And Latte Macchiato

What kind of latte do you prefer to drink? A caffe latte will have a more balanced taste, while a macchiato will be more espresso forward. While both are only made with milk and espresso, the difference arises from the preparation. In a caffe latte, the espresso is made first and then the steamed milk is added to it. The milk is heavier than the espresso so they blend evenly in your cup.

With a macchiato, the frothed milk is made first and then the espresso is brewed into it. The espresso blends into the milk more slowly, working its way down from the top. That is why it has a stronger espresso taste. In the photo you can see that the bottom of the glass looks milkier while the top has more espresso.

What Milk To Use In A Nespresso Latte?

If you drink dairy, whole milk at refrigerator temperature works best for making a latte and cappuccino. It has the level of lactic sugar, protein and fat for steaming and frothing. The result is just the right level of creaminess and amount of foam for latte art. If you don’t like whole milk, use 2% reduced fat instead of skim if you are OK with a few more calories. Skim just can’t yield the taste or texture most people expect since it has no fat.

For people who prefer to drink plant-based milk, the best options are almond, oat or soy milk. All of these will steam well and create the right foam. Those labeled as a “barista version” from brands like Oatly, Califia Farms and Pacific Foods work very well. Other types of non-dairy milks like cashew or coconut milk won’t make a foam that is as dense as the others.

How to Make a Latte With Nespresso Vertuo

To make a warm drink, you will need to be able to steam milk. Nespresso Vertuo machines do not have a built in milk warmer. You will need an accessory, like the Aeroccino 3 or 4. If you are using an Aeroccino, you’ll want to make sure to remove the coil from the whisk before heating the milk. This will steam the milk and create less froth.

To make a caffe latte, brew a Vertuo espresso pod below into a glass. Then, steam your milk and pour it into the cup that has the brewed espresso. To make a macchiato, steam the milk first and pour it into your cup. Then brew the espresso directly into the milk.

To make an iced latte, just use cold milk instead of the steamed milk. If you are using an Aeroccino, you can put the milk in the frother first (without the whisk!) and use the cold setting. You should add the ice after you have cooled down the espresso with cold milk. Less of it will melt this way. You can also use a HyperChiller. This accessory will cool your coffee quickly to prevent ice from watering down your drink. I use it almost every day and love it! My ice doesn’t melt right away so my lattes taste great, not watered down.

The Best Nespresso Vertuo Pods for A Latte

There are five types of Nespresso Vertuo pods – single espresso, double espresso, coffee, gran lungo and alto xl. However, only single and double espresso pods can be used to make a Nespresso latte. Regular Nespresso coffee pods cannot be used to make a latte. Espresso capsules are brewed with less water compared to others. You’ll get a more concentrated cup of coffee that is perfect for adding to milk. If you are looking for pods for an iced drink, click here.

Vertuo Pods for Regular-Sized Lattes

Diavolitto

Intensity: 11 out of 131.35 oz

If you are seeking a latte with more caffeine, Diavolitto should be your pick. It packs 150 mg of caffeine per pod, which is more than other Vertuo line espressos. Diavolitto the most intense and powerful espresso Vertuo pod. It has a smooth and creamy texture with oak wood and leather notes.

Altissio

Intensity: 9 out of 131.35 oz

Altissio is a good choice for you if you like a latte with a strong taste. It is a full-bodied and creamy. Altissio features a thick crema and a bold taste with cereal flavor notes.

Variety Pack

If both of those more intense pods sound good to you, you may enjoy a variety pack that has both flavors.

Voltesso

Intensity: 4 out of 131.35 oz

If you are looking for a light and sweet espresso, then Voltesso is a great choice. Voltesso is a light roast and mild. It has a balanced and round profile with a distinctly sweet aroma and biscuit notes. The milk will make this pod even smoother than it is when drinking it black.

Vertuo Pods for Large Lattes

As the name implies, double espresso pods make twice as much as single capsules. That makes Nespresso Vertuo double espressos perfect for when you want a larger drink. Using a double espresso pod is also cheaper than using two single espresso pods!

Double Espresso Chiaro

Intensity: 6 out of 132.7 oz

Chiaro is dense, wild and indulgent. It is a dark roast coffee from South and Central America. As a result, it has a unique range of earthy and woody notes. When you prepare a latte with Chiaro, then the drink will have a creamy texture with blonde caramel notes.

Double Espresso Scuro

Intensity: 8 out of 132.7 oz

Scuro is a double espresso that is dark and bold. It has a dark and smoky profile because it is a highly roasted blend of coffee beans from South America. When brewed, you’ll notice aromatic notes of cocoa and vanilla. When you use Scuro in a latte, the milk makes those cocoa notes get even stronger.

Nespresso released a new double espresso pod called Dolce. It’s only sold on Nespresso.com, like another popular one called Bianco Leggero. I’ve used both in lattes and enjoyed them.

Vertuo Pods for Decaf Lattes

Decaffeinato Altissio

Intensity: 7 out of 131.35 oz

This decaf Vertuo pod is a great pick for a drink later in the day or in the evening. This dark roast espresso has a full-body and creamy taste. It is made from a blend of beans from Costa Rica and South America.

Best Nespresso Vertuo Pods for Iced Latte

Any of the above Nespresso Vertuo capsules can be used to make an iced latte. You should brew the pod first, add cold milk and then finish by adding ice. This will keep the ice from melting quickly and diluting your drink. You can also use the HyperChiller to cool the espresso.

However, there is a new Nespresso Vertuo pod specifically made for an iced latte. It is ground to create a delicate, cooling sensation. It’s one of the best Vertuo pods for a Nespresso iced latte.

Iced Leggero is a light-roast double espresso with delicate notes of fruit and cereal.

How to Make a Latte With Nespresso Original Line Machines

To make a warm latte you will need to be able to steam milk. Some Original machines have a built in milk frother. Those are the Creatista Plus, Latissima Pro and Latissima One. If you have a different model that doesn’t have a milk frother, like the Essenza Mini, you will need to buy an accessory. The Nespresso Aeroccino is very easy to use.

To make a caffe latte, brew one of the capsules below into a cup. Then, steam your milk and pour it into the glass with the brewed espresso.

To make a macchiato, froth the milk first and pour it into a cup. Then brew the pod directly into the milk-filled glass.

To make an iced latte, just use chilled milk right from the fridge. If you are using a Nespresso frother, you can put the milk in it first (without the whisk!) and use the cold setting. You should add the ice after you have cooled down the espresso with cold milk. Less of it will melt this way. If you really want to avoid melting ice watering down your drink, try the HyperChiller. I use it daily. It cools the espresso within one or two minutes so when I pour it over ice, the ice doesn’t so quickly.

The Best Original Nespresso Pods for Latte Drinks

Pods with a darker roast tend to work better for lattes. The stronger intensity can cut through the milk. However, if you prefer your espresso lighter, then medium or light roast pods can work too.

Original Pods for Dark Roast Lattes

Firenze Arpeggio

Intensity: 9 out of 13

Firenze is dense with bold roasted and cocoa notes from its mix of Costa Rican and Brazilian beans. You’ll get a nice crema atop the espresso, so it has a creamy and velvety texture.

Ristretto Italiano

Intensity: 10 out of 13

Ristretto Italiano is a strong and powerful espresso inspired by Italy’s coffee culture. It has a mix of South American and East African beans. As a result, you will taste a mix of fruity notes and a hint of acidity as you sip this blend.

Original Pods for Medium Roast Lattes

Caramel Crème Brulee

Intensity: 6 out of 13

This barista creation capsule has an aromatic profile of delicious caramel, coconut and vanilla. It is as sweet and creamy as a crème brulee. Caramel Crème Brulee is a blend of coffee beans from Brazil and Colombia. This blend gives it a smooth and creamy taste.

Genova Livanto

Intensity: 6 out of 13

Genova has a caramelized, toasted cereal aroma that will remind you of freshly roasted coffee beans. It is a mix of beans from Brazil, Central America and South America. This blend produces the delicate aroma and rounded mouthfeel that is representative of coffee from Northern Italy.

Original Pods for Light Roast Lattes

Volutto

Intensity: 4 out of 13

Volluto is delightfully sweet and smooth. It combines rich flavors with a round body. The lightly-roasted coffee beans from South America give this espresso sweet biscuit and fresh, fruity aromatic notes.

Original Pods for Decaf Lattes

Volutto Decaffeinato

Intensity: 4 out of 13

You will find that Volutto decaf is delightfully sweet and smooth. It has rich coffee flavors and a round body. The lightly-roasted coffee beans give this espresso its sweet biscuit and fruity aromatic notes. One pod will have 3 mg of caffeine or less.

Firenze Arpeggio Decaffeinato

Intensity: 9 out of 13

Firenze decaf is dense with bold roasted and cocoa notes from its mix of Costa Rican and Brazilian beans. There is a nice crema that forms atop the espresso so it has a creamy and velvety texture. One pod will have 3 mg of caffeine or less.

Original Pods for Iced Lattes

Any of the above Nespresso Originalline capsules can be used to make an iced latte. You should just brew them into an empty cup, add cold milk and then add ice. This will prevent the ice from melting too quickly. You can also use a HyperChiller to cool the espresso.

However, new Nespresso cold brew pods are specifically made for iced drinks. They are ground to create a delicate, cooling sensation. They are both some of the best Nespresso pods for an iced latte. If both Freddo pods sound good to you, try the variety pack.

Freddo Intenso

Freddo Intenso is a dark roast made for a delicious iced experience. It has toasted notes of cereal and wood. It is a mix of Arabica beans from South America and Indonesia.

Freddo Delicato

Freddo Delicato is a sweet and mild light-roast made to be brewed over ice. It is made from Kenyan coffee beans that give it a sweet and fruity flavor.

Nespresso Latte Recipes [Vertuo & Original]

With so many different flavored syrups out there, there’s no shortage of Nespresso latte recipes (hot or iced). Here are some of my favorite ones. You can use any Nespresso capsule shown above to make any latte recipe below.

How to Make a Nespresso Vanilla Latte

1. Pour one ounce of vanilla syrup into a glass that is 12 oz or larger.
2. Brew the espresso capsule directly into the glass.
3. Prepare 6 ounces of milk and pour the milk into the glass.
4. Top with whipped cream (optional)

How to Make a Pumpkin Spice Latte

1. Grab a 12 oz glass or larger. Place 1 oz of pumpkin spice syrup into the bottom of the glass.
2. Brew a double espresso pod or two single espresso pods directly into the glass.
3. Prepare 6 oz of milk, then add to glass and stir.

How To Make An Eggnog Latte

1. Grab a 12 oz glass or larger.
2. Brew a double espresso pod or two single espresso pods directly into the glass.
3. Add eggnog and milk to your frother in roughly equal amounts and stir together. Heat the mixture.
4. Slowly pour the mixture into the glass with the espresso shots.
5. Top with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

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