Are you looking for a cool, refreshing, and delicious alternative to your regular morning coffee?
If so, look no further than Nespresso cold brew! Not only is it incredibly tasty and easy on the taste buds, but with the right equipment (which I'll discuss in just a moment), you can even make this cold brew concoction at home.
Quick Answer: Can you make cold brew coffee with a Nespresso machine?
You can't make real cold brew coffee with a Nespresso machine. However, Nespresso has released a cold brew style pod, which you can brew with cool water for the optimal flavor.
But before diving into how to create your own delicious Nespresso cold brew at home, let's explore what exactly “cold brewing” is and why it makes for such an amazing cup of joe.
What is cold brew coffee?
Cold brew coffee is made by steeping ground beans in cold or room temperature water for an extended time, usually around 12-24 hours.
The result is a richer and smoother flavor than you would get from hot-brewed coffee due to the lower temperatures and longer extraction time.
Tip: If you want to learn more about making cold brew at home, I suggest checking out this in-depth guide.
How to brew Nespresso cold brew style pods
Nespresso has released a cold brew style coffee pod with the typical cold brew flavors but without the hours of steeping time for ground coffee.
It's important to note that these coffee pods can only be used with the following Nespresso Vertuo machines:
- Vertuo Creatista
- Vertuo Lattissima
- Vertuo Next
- Vertuo Pop+
Nespresso suggests using cool water (below 10°C / 50F) to make this cold brew coffee at home. After brewing, add ice cubes to your coffee to serve it cold.
This coffee capsule produces two servings of 6 oz (178 ml each). I brewed the coffee in a milk jug so I could easily serve it after brewing:
The flavor of this cold brew pod is quite smooth, just like you'd expect from real cold brew coffee.
So, if you're looking for a new way to brew cold brew at home, I suggest trying these pods.
It has a strong enough roast to be served cold, and it has a different aroma than regular pods brewed and served cold.
Can you make Nespresso cold brew?
Unfortunately, making cold brew with a Nespresso machine is not possible. Cold brew requires steeping ground coffee in water for a prolonged time (usually 12-24 hours), which is impossible with coffee pods.
A better option would be to make iced coffee with your Nespresso machine, which is delicious and easy (more on this later).
You could make cold brew with Nespresso pods by opening them. But because the Nespresso pods only hold a small amount of ground coffee, it'll get pricey really quickly.
To make one batch of cold brew (34 oz or 1 liter), you'll need 100 grams of ground coffee.
Each Nespresso pod has about 13 grams of coffee, so you'll need to open up eight pods ($1.25 per pod), which would cost $10 to make one batch of cold brew if you're using Nespresso Vertuo pods:
You're better off buying coffee beans instead and grinding them at home (which will give you a better flavor). Or, you could use pre-ground coffee as a cheaper alternative.
If you want to use your Nespresso machine for cold coffee, make iced coffee instead!
Does Nespresso have a cold setting?
Nespresso does not have a dedicated cold setting. However, there are ways that you can enjoy cold coffee with your Nespresso machine.
One of the most simple and popular methods is to brew an espresso shot as normal and pour it over ice or in a glass filled with ice cubes.
You can also combine your espresso shot with other ingredients, such as milk, to make a delicious cold treat, such as an iced latte. If you have a frother, you can top that with cold foam!
Or choose your favorite coffee pod, brew the coffee, and let it cool before pouring it over ice.
For some delicious Nespresso pods for iced coffee, you can check out this article.
How can you make iced coffee with Nespresso?
Making delicious iced coffee with Nespresso is easy, fast, and convenient.
Depending on your preferences, you can make it in a few different ways- cold brew style, espresso over ice, iced shaken espresso, or as an iced latte.
- Cold brew style: Make this method if you're looking for smooth, low-acidity coffee without additional sweetener. You can check out this recipe for an in-depth guide.
- Espresso over ice: For this method, you'll need two shots of freshly brewed espresso from your Nespresso machine and pour it over ice once cooled!
- Iced shaken espresso: This method creates a thick foam on the espresso. Begin by adding double shots of freshly brewed espresso from your Nespresso machine along with one tablespoon of simple syrup into a cocktail shaker (or jar with lid) filled with ice cubes - shake vigorously until frothy, then pour directly into glasses filled with more ice cubes before serving!
- Iced latte: This is perfect if you're looking for a more mellow iced coffee. Combine an espresso shot (or two) with your milk of choice and ice cubes in a glass.
As you can see from the options above, you have plenty of options to make a delicious and refreshing Nespresso drink at home.
Conclusion
Nespresso machines are a great tool for making delicious iced coffees, but they cannot make cold brew coffee.
The possibilities for iced coffee creation with a Nespresso machine are truly limitless.
Don't limit yourself to one type of espresso, either. Experiment, find new recipes that satisfy your taste profiles, and explore a variety of flavor combinations.
And if you feel like trying out other recipes with your Nespresso machine, have a look below:
