Are you looking for a delicious, easy cup of coffee that rivals the drinks from your favorite coffee shop?

Then look no further than learning how to make a cappuccino at home with any Nespresso machine.

Cappuccinos are the perfect blend of espresso and creaminess – not too strong but still tasty enough to really invigorate your morning or as an afternoon pick-me-up.

Quick Answer: How do I make a cappuccino with my Nespresso machine?

You can easily make a cappuccino by brewing your favorite espresso with your Nespresso machine. Then, froth milk until creamy, pour it over the espresso, and top it with foam. Optionally, sprinkle cocoa or cinnamon for extra flavor.

How to Make a Cappuccino With Any Nespresso Machine at Home

And if you have access to a Nespresso machine in your kitchen, it’s easier than ever to recreate this classic Italian drink right in your own home. Let’s get into it!

What is a cappuccino?

Before getting in-depth about this delicious drink. What is it, and where does it originate from?

A cappuccino is an Italian coffee drink that is made with espresso, steamed, and foamed milk foam. The name “cappuccino” comes from the Capuchin friars, who wore a hood that resembled the white foam on top of a cappuccino.

Espresso coffee in a cappuccino glass.

Most cappuccino recipes (including this one) use equal parts espresso, steamed, and foamed milk for that perfect balance.

If you want to learn more about the cappuccino and its many variations, you can check out this article, where I cover the topic in-depth.

Can you easily make a cappuccino with a Nespresso machine?

With today’s coffee machines, creating a delicious drink at home is easier than ever.

It’s easy to make a cappuccino with your Nespresso machine, but it depends on the type of Nespresso machine you have at home.

A cappuccino made with the Vertuo Nespresso machine.

Some machines have a steaming wand, while others require you to use an Aeroccino Plus milk frother.

Some equipment will allow you to make a cappuccino more easily than others. But more on this later.

All you really need is a Nespresso machine, your favorite coffee pod, and a way to froth milk.

I’ll cover everything you need to know below so you’ll have all the knowledge to make a cappuccino at home!

Which ingredients are needed for this cappuccino recipe?

For this Nespresso cappuccino, you’ll only need two main ingredients:

  • Espresso brewed with your Nespresso machine
  • Whole milk

Cappuccinos aren’t super sweet, to begin with, but the milk used will have an impact on the sweetness.

That’s why I’d suggest using your favorite kind of milk for this recipe.

Dusting a cappuccino with cinnamon.

If you’d rather use a dairy-free alternative like oat milk or almond milk, feel free to do so. More on this below:

What is the best milk for frothing?

There are a few things to consider when looking for the best milk for frothing. Fat content is one factor, as lower-fat milk will produce less foam.

The type of milk also matters – cows’ milk has more proteins than plant-based milk, making it better suited for frothing.

Oatly oat milk.

Finally, freshness is essential – old milk won’t produce good foam. So, if you’re looking for the best milk for frothing, choose a high-fat cow’s milk that’s fresh.

The best way to choose your favorite kind of milk is by its sweetness, how well it froths, and which you like the best.

My go-to is whole milk because I like the full flavor and how well it froths. If you want to learn more about the best milk for frothing, you can find more information here.

How do you froth milk for this cappuccino?

The perfect cappuccino has about 1/3 of milk foam on top, so it’s important to know how to achieve that.

Below are some ways to froth milk with your Nespresso machine:

  • Use the steaming wand if your Nespresso machine has one.
  • You can use a standalone Nespresso milk frother like the Aeroccino 4 or the one attached to some Nespresso machines.
  • Or, use one of the techniques in this article to froth milk at home using various equipment.
Frothing milk with milk frother.

I love to use the Aeroccino Plus milk frother that comes with many of the machines.

To do this, fill the Aeroccino Plus with cold milk, insert it into the Nespresso machine, and press the button to start frothing.

Once the milk is frothed, add it to your coffee cup and enjoy!

Which Nespresso pods are best for cappuccinos?

There are a few different Nespresso pod varieties that work well for cappuccinos, but my favorites are the Nespresso Altissio and the Nespresso Voltesso.

The Altissio has a robust and smooth flavor that really stands out in a cappuccino, while the Voltesso has a slightly milder flavor that is still delicious and creamy.

Image of two Altissio Nespresso pods.
Nespresso Altissio pods

Try both of them and see which you prefer!

And if you want an even stronger coffee flavor in your cappuccino or easily want to make a larger cappuccino, the double espresso Scuro is a great choice.

You can check out the best Nespresso pods for cappuccinos here if you’re looking for some amazing flavors to try!

How can you customize this cappuccino?

It depends on the type of cappuccino you like to drink and the flavor profile you’re looking for, but here are a few ways to try:

Homemade French vanilla cappuccino.
French vanilla cappuccino

As you can see, there are a ton of ways to customize your Nespresso cappuccino.

You can try various combinations of add-ins to see which you like the best.

Now that you know about the different ways to make this drink give it a try by following the recipe below:

Yield: 1 Serving

Nespresso Cappuccino

Homemade Nespresso cappuccino, ready to drink.

You can make this cappuccino recipe in just five minutes using any Nespresso machine you have at home!

Prep Time 3 minutes
Additional Time 2 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • One espresso brewed with a Nespresso machine
  • 2 oz (60 ml) of whole milk
  • Optional: a dusting of ground cinnamon or cocoa powder

Instructions

  1. Turn on your Nespresso machine and ensure enough water is in the reservoir.
  2. Insert the Nespresso pod of choice, press the espresso button (Original line), or press the main button when using the Vertuo line.
  3. Meanwhile, steam the whole milk.
  4. Add the espresso to a nice cup of choice.
  5. Now, slowly pour the steamed milk on top of the espresso.
  6. Finish with a thick foam layer of about 1/3 of the cappuccino.
  7. You can add a dusting of cocoa powder of ground cinnamon to the top.
  8. Add a sweetener if you like, and serve as soon as possible!

Notes

You can adjust the amount of milk and espresso to suit your flavor. I'd suggest using a double espresso pod if you want a more robust cappuccino.

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Nutrition Information:

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 34Total Fat: 1.8gSaturated Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 23mgCarbohydrates: 2.5gSugar: 3gProtein: 1.8g

Nespresso cappuccino FAQs

Below are a few frequently asked questions about this Nespresso cappuccino. Have a look to see if this is the perfect drink for you:

How many calories are in a Nespresso cappuccino?

A Nespresso cappuccino made with whole milk has 34 calories. The calories in your cappuccino can differ from this, depending on the type of milk used and the add-ins you use.

Can you make a decaf Nespresso cappuccino?

Absolutely! You can make a decaf Nespresso cappuccino by using a Nespresso decaf pod of your choice.

Can coffee pods make cappuccinos?

Yes, coffee pods can make cappuccinos. They will produce the espresso part of the drink just fine, but you’ll need a milk frother to create the foam for the top. Many coffee pod machines have a milk frothing wand or attachment that you can use to create the foam.

Conclusion

With so many ways to customize this drink, you’ll never get bored with your choices.

The Nespresso machine can make it for you no matter how you like your cappuccino.

Whether you like it sweet, strong, or with a flavor twist, there’s a way for you to enjoy this cappuccino.

So, don’t head to your local coffee shop next time you’re in the mood for a delicious cappuccino.

Save yourself some money and make one at home with your Nespresso machine instead!

More Nespresso recipes to try

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Author

Jeffrey, founder of Your Dream Coffee, is a coffee expert with a background in culinary arts. With hands-on experience in specialty coffee, he shares expert brewing guides, recipes, and reviews to help you craft better coffee at home.

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