Nespresso coffee is made using a capsule-based brewing system. Nespresso coffee machines use a high-pressure system to brew espresso-like coffee using pre-filled coffee pods.
Nespresso coffee is available in a range of roast levels, flavors, and beverage types. Many machines in the range also have milk steamers to create your favorite milk-based brews.
In this brew guide, you'll learn how to make coffee with a Nespresso machine, tips on creating the perfect cup, and some Nespresso pod recommendations so you can find the perfect brew for your taste and needs.
What Coffee Can You Brew With a Nespresso Machine?
The Nespresso machine uses Nespresso pods to brew barista-style coffee. These pods come in a range of roast levels, styles, and flavors. Although Nespresso machines only brew straight coffee, some have additional milk steamers to create milk-based brews.
Here are some examples of the beverages you can make with a Nespresso machine:
- Espresso Coffee
- Flavored espresso (vanilla, hazelnut, caramel)
- Ristretto
- Macchiato Coffee
- Cafe Latte
- Cappuccino Coffee
- Latte macchiato
- Reverso
- Flat white
- Mocha coffee
- Iced coffee
What You’ll Need to Make Nespresso Coffee
You don't need much to make Nespresso coffee. This simple brewer uses pre-packaged pods to make barista-level coffee in an instant.
Here's what you need to make Nespresso coffee:
Tools
- Nespresso Coffee Machine — A variety of different models are available, some with milk steamers/frothers, some that are single-serve, and some that can brew two cups at once.
- Coffee Cup — You'll need a coffee cup to brew into. Opt for a demitasse cup for espresso and a larger coffee mug for milk-based brews.
Ingredients
- Nespresso Pod — These coffee capsules come in a range of blends, roast levels, and flavors.
- Water — Always use cold, fresh, filtered water in your Nespresso machine.
- Milk (Optional) — You'll need fresh dairy milk or a plant-based alternative to make milk-based brews (lattes, cappuccinos, flat whites, etc).
- Sugar (Optional) — Add a dash of sugar or syrup to sweeten the coffee if desired.
Nespresso Pod Recommendations
There are over 100 different Nespresso pod options. Which you select depends on your taste and the type of brew you wish to make.
Here are some Nespresso pod recommendations for different types of beverages:
1. Espresso
- Ristretto (strong restricted espresso)
- Ispirazione Roma (woody, nutty notes)
- Diavolitto (intense and creamy with notes of oak and leather)
- Voltesso (light, creamy, and mild)
2. Milk-Based Beverages
- Scuro (designed for cappuccino and latte)
- Branch Leggero (ideal for sweet milk-based brews)
- Chiaro (perfect for lattes)
- Altissio (good espresso for a range of milk-based brews)
3. Flavored Coffee
- Vanilla Éclair (velvety vanilla flavor that pairs well with milk)
- Caramel Crème Brûlée (sweet caramel notes with a creamy finish)
- Hazelino Muffin (notes of hazelnut and pastry — perfect dessert coffee)
- Tropical Coconut (limited edition coconut-flavored brew)
4. Iced Coffee
- Ice Leggero (designed for iced latte)
- Ice Forte (perfect for black iced coffee)
- Freddo Intenso (perfect for milky, sweetened iced coffee)
- Freddo Delicato (good allrounder for a range of iced brews)
How to Make Nespresso Coffee (Step-by-Step Guide)
Making Nespresso coffee is extremely quick and easy. It's almost impossible to make bad coffee using a Nespresso machine because the pre-filled pods and automatic brewing process do everything for you.
Here's how to make Nespresso coffee:
1. Prepare the Nespresso Machine
First, switch on your Nespresso machine and fill the water reservoir with clean, fresh, filtered water.
Press the coffee cup button and wait 30 seconds until it stops flashing — this indicates the machine has heated up and is ready to use.
2. Insert Your Nespresso Pod
Unlock and open the machine head. Insert your chosen Nespresso pod with the dome side down.
Close the machine head and twist the handle to the left to lock it.
3. Brew the Coffee
Position your coffee mug below the coffee outlet. Adjust the position of the drip tray so the cup’s rim is as close to the outlet as possible.
Press the coffee cup button once to begin brewing. The coffee will automatically stop brewing when it's complete but you can stop it manually by clicking the coffee cup button to make a restricted brew.
Once brewed, open the machine head and discard the Nespresso pod (some machines will automatically discard the pod into a capsule container).
Enjoy your coffee black, or move on to step four…
4. Steam the Milk
If you want to create lattes, cappuccinos, flat whites, macchiatos, and mocha coffees you'll need a Nespresso machine with a built-in milk steamer. You can also use separate Nespresso products such as the Aeroccino to steam milk.
To make a basic cappuccino or latte, steam a pitcher of milk and quickly pour it over a single or double shot of Nespresso coffee while holding back the froth. Once the milk and coffee are combined, gently pour over the froth so it sits on top of the brew.
Tips for Making Nespresso Coffee
Although making coffee with a Nespresso machine is foolproof, there are a few things you should do to ensure you create the perfect cup every time.
Here are three tips for using your Nespresso machine:
1. Regularly Clean Your Nespresso Machine
Over time, coffee residues, oils, and mineral buildup can affect the taste of your Nespresso. Old coffee residue can taint the taste of the coffee and mineral buildup can block the inner workings of the machine, leading to poor extraction.
Rinse the machine regularly by running a water-only cycle before and after brewing. You should also descale your machine every three to six months by cycling a mixture of white vinegar and water through it. You may need to descale your machine more regularly if you brew several cups of coffee per day.
2. Preheat Your Cup
Nespresso machines brew coffee at an optimal temperature for extraction. This temperature is also optimal for drinking.
Brewing Nespresso coffee — especially low-volume brews like ristretto and espresso — directly into a cold cup can quickly reduce the temperature of the brew.
To avoid serving a lukewarm cup of coffee after brewing with your Nespresso machine, preheat your cup.
To preheat your cup run a hot water cycle before putting it in the pod. Swirl the water around the cup, discard it, then brew the coffee. This helps maintain the temperature the coffee is brewed at which won't directly affect flavor but it will enhance the overall coffee experience.
3. Always Use Fresh, Filtered Water
Always use fresh, filtered water in your Nespresso machine. Using water straight from the tap can cause mineral buildup in your machine which can reduce its brewing efficiency and damage it over time. Tap water can also taint the taste of your coffee.
Using filtered or bottled water enhances the flavor clarity of your coffee, creating a clean brew with a clear flavor.
Additional note: Avoid using distilled water in your Nespresso machine — this can affect extraction and damage your machine.
FAQs: Making Nespresso Coffee
If you want to learn more about Nespresso coffee, similar “pod-style” brewers, and other quick ways to make delicious coffee, check out the answers to the FAQs below:
1. What is Nespresso Coffee?
Nespresso coffee is made from pre-packaged coffee capsules (pods) that are pierced and brewed under high pressure.
Nespresso machines brew espresso-like coffee that's difficult to distinguish from traditional espresso. The pods come in a variety of flavors from regular espresso to vanilla syrup, hazelnut, and chocolate. Milk-based brews can also be made with Nespresso machines with milk frothers or steamers.
2. Is a Keurig the Same as a Nespresso Machine?
The Keurig coffee maker and Nespresso machine both brew prepackaged coffee capsules — “K-Cups” for the Keurig and “Nespresso pods” for the Nespresso machine.
These two machines work similarly. However, the Nespresso machine uses a unique brewing system with a higher pressure — creating a range of espresso-like beverages that can be used black or combined with steamed milk.
The Keurig uses a lower-pressure system to brew an endless range of specialty coffees, including several from popular chains such as coffee at Starbucks and Dunkin’ iced coffee.
3. Are Nespresso Pods Environmentally-Friendly?
Nespresso pods are made from aluminum which is 100% recyclable. The brand will also recycle its pods for you — just order the recycling bags from the website for free, fill them with your used pods, and put them in the post for free. Nespresso recycles the aluminum to make new products and the spent coffee grounds to make soil mixes for landscaping.
4. Can You Refill Nespresso Pods?
Several people have been able to successfully refill their used Nespresso pods and reuse them. There are also third-party reusable capsules on the market that allow you to create your own pods. Nespresso is yet to make an own-brand refillable pod.
5. Can You Make Espresso With a Nespresso Maker?
Yes. The Nespresso machine specifically makes espresso and espresso-based beverages using the best coffee recommendations. Although not a “true” espresso — this can only be made with a traditional espresso machine — Nespresso coffee is extremely similar, thanks to the high-pressure brewing system on the machine.
6. Can You Make Lattes Using a Nespresso Machine?
Yes. You can make lattes using a Nespresso machine. However, unlike some capsule coffee makers, Nespresso pods only make the coffee element (espresso). You'll need a machine with a built-in milk steamer or a separate milk frother to create the dairy element of a latte.
7. Can You Make Iced Coffee With a Nespresso Machine?
Yes. You can make iced coffee using a Nespresso machine. Simply brew a strong espresso or ristretto pod directly over ice. Once brewed, add milk and syrup to taste, stir, and enjoy your iced coffee.
8. How Much Caffeine is in a Cup of Nespresso Coffee?
Nespresso coffee has between 40 and 130 mg of caffeine per cup. The exact figures vary depending on the Nespresso pod brewed. You can see the exact caffeine levels of your Nespresso pods on the back of the packaging.
9. Does Nespresso Taste as Good as Freshly Brewed Coffee?
Nespresso coffee tastes remarkably similar to coffee made with a traditional espresso machine. The high-pressure system creates bold, smooth, rich coffee with a creamy crema on top. However, you can't beat a manually brewed espresso or milk-based brew such as a cappuccino, latte, or macchiato.
10. What’s Better — A Keurig or Nespresso Machine?
Whether a Keurig coffee brewer or Nespresso Machine is “better” comes down to personal preference. If you want versatility and an endless range of flavors from your favorite coffee brands, the Keurig coffee maker is the best. If you want instant pod coffee that's as close to a true espresso as you can get, the Nespresso machine is best.
