Summer is here and the living is easy… especially with some ice-cold coffee to keep you cool during the hot months. Thanks to the Nespresso Vertuo Machine and the new (Nespresso) Barista Coffee and Milk recipe maker, you can make coffee-shop quality coffee in the comfort of your own home and at the fraction of the price.
This post has been sponsored by Nespresso. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Post may contain affiliate links. For more information, check my disclosure
If someone asked me to list five facts about myself, my coffee addiction would probably be fact number two. It’s a fundamental aspect of my being and quite possibly the only reason I am enticed out of bed in the morning.
If my husband is in the right mood, my first cup will be waiting for me on the bedside table, just far enough so that I have to get out of my cocooned duvet state to grasp it.
And if you asked me to list my most-used kitchen gadget – a question I actually get asked rather often – I would have to say, without the slightest hesitation, my coffee machine.
Between me and my husband, it gets used a minimum 6-8 times a DAY, more if I have friends visiting. And it even gets to go on holiday with us – true story – because there’s one thing I can’t stand and that’s terrible coffee that you pay through the nose for.
So I was rather thrilled to be asked to try Nespresso’s latest Vertuo Machine and even MORE thrilled to get my hands on their (Nespresso) Barista Coffee and Milk recipe maker.
This little gadget is sheer genius my friends and no coffee-loving soul should be without one! I sort of look at it as a friendly mini personal Barista (aptly named then) with the ability to make a variety of coffee drinks at the mere touch of your hand.
Fancy making yourself a flat white? It’s got your back. How about an iced frappé or a cold macchiato? The recipes are all programmed into the Barista so all you have to do is add the milk or milk, coffee and ice in the case of the frappé. The metal jug detaches from the main unit so you can pour your iced coffee drink in your glass with a little bit of a flourish.
Between the Nespresso Vertuo Machine and the Milk Frother, you get smooth coffee with just THE perfect crema, miles and miles better than most coffee you get in certain chain coffee shops.
Iced coffee especially is just not done very well in London IMHO and every time I shell out money for one I regret it soon after. Usually they are lacking in anything resembling actual coffee, or terribly watered down, or have enough sweet toppings and syrups to pass for dessert.
Not for me, thanks. I will stick with my new favourite Nespresso on Ice Macchiato which is a smooth talking little number with just the right amount of caffeine kick thanks to the Voltesso capsules.
I think I found my Goldilocks coffee zone! Both machines are ridiculously easy to use and clean – big bonus that – so you never need have a bad cup of coffee again.
If you are a fan or iced coffee but need to reign in the caffeine a little then the Iced Frappé made with Decaf Intense capsules is for you.
Making Frappé is in my blood – it is THE unofficial summer drink in Greece – but I have never made one as easily or as successfully before.
Here’s a bird’s eye view of the (Nespresso) Barista Coffee and Milk recipe maker in action – busily creating an Iced Frappé.
Barista… this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. ☕
RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE
Ingredients
- 1 capsule Nespresso Decaf Intense 40ml
- 100 ml / 3.4fl oz cold semi skimmed milk
- 1 large ice cube
- 1 tsp sugar or sweetener (optional)
Instructions
- First brew the Decaf Intense coffee using your Nespresso Vertuo Machine.
- Pour the coffee into the (Nespresso) Barista Coffee and Milk recipe maker.
- Add the sugar or sweetener (if using), the cold milk and ice cube into the jug.
- Close the lid and select the Iced Frappé option, the Barista Milk Frother will create your drink for you.
- Pour into a tall glass, adding more ice if desired.
Notes
Espresso on Ice Macchiato
Ingredients
- 1 Voltesso capsule
- 100ml /3.4fl oz cold semi-skimmed milk
- 1 tsp sugar or sweetener optional
Instructions
- Fill your Nespresso VIEW glass with 3 big ice cubes.
- Brew the espresso using the Nespresso Vertuo Machine into the ice-filled glass.
- Pour the cold milk into the jug of the (Nespresso) Barista Coffee and Milk recipe maker, making sure not to go over the minimum level marking.
- Close the lid and select ‘Espresso on Ice Macchiato’ recipe.
- Pour the milk foam over the coffee in your glass and enjoy!
harry Pottar says
I know this article was all about iced drinks, but could you tell me the hottest this machine can get the milk for hot chocolate.
I favour very hot drinks, most of these milk frothers can not reach a good temperature, I have searched and can not find the hottest it goes to. Email responses from Nespresso seem to skirt the answer and just comment on the application. However the application does not have a demo mode and can only run once paired to the machine.
Thanks
Lucy Parissi says
You can make hot chocolate with it but if you want it really hot I would just heat the milk in a saucepan. I am not sure of exact temperature it reaches but its not scalding hot.
Willi says
Why are you calling this a frappé for having decaf espresso in it? To my knowledge, an original frappé doesn’t even contain espresso, but rather instant coffee, and can have coffeine. To me this recipe sounds like an Iced Café Latte, although the all-in-one preparation inside the Barista is reminiscent of the stirring of a Frappé. I usually make an Iced Cappuccino, but after reading this I think I’ll try stirring it! It looks very tasty!
Does the Barista consistently make the type of milk foam you want? Have you tried different kinds of milk? My Nespresso has a built-in Aeroccino, and the quality of the milk foam heavily depends on the temperature of the milk and the Aeroccino. So making several in a row changes the foam.
Lucy Parissi says
I grew up in Greece so I know frappé is usually made with instant coffee. This is the Nespresso version of frappé – the foam is much lighter and coffee better quality. I think both have their place. I love Cappuccino Freddo which you know find in Greece. The Barista has been a big hit for me the crema is just perfect both with skimmed milk which is what I usually use and with whole milk. Also worked very well it Oat milk (the Oatly Barista funnily enough). The only thing to be aware of is not to overfill the Barista otherwise you can get spills (as with the Aeroccino)
Irina says
I couldn’t live without my coffee, I definitely need one of these mini baristas. So easy to use.
Lucy Parissi says
Me too!!
Anna says
The best cup of iced coffee I’ve ever seen Lucy! And I hope you can make me one, when I come to visit you! 😉 I seriously don’t know how I was coping before having the Barista machine, it’s been a game changer! Best thing ever.
Esha says
The coffee looks so creamy and lucious😍 I love a good espresso. Totally obsessed with my Nespresso. The frother makes the creamiest froth. So so good
Anna says
This coffee looks so creamy!
Jane Saunders says
Those coffees look good, especially the crema. I love the smell of coffee buy my husband drinks most coffee in my house. I think this could be a great gift for him.
Lucy Parissi says
You can also make some chocolatey drinks with the Barista. But yes I think your husband would love it for sure
Caroline says
I don’t drink much coffee, so when I have one I want t to Ben good and I’m a big fan of nespresso!
Lucy Parissi says
Yes life is too short for bad coffee!
Hannah Hossack-Lodge says
I need to get me one of these! I have been drinking so much iced coffee over the Summer, I would love a machine to make it for me!
Julia Frey says
I am already thinking how I can get me that contraption!! That coffee looks so creamy and so REAL, just like in a coffee shop! I am afraid I’d never leave my house if I got one. 🙂
Lucy Parissi says
It is miles better than coffee shop coffee (at least certain well known chains). Really superb, I have been caffeinated to the max this summer!
Lori says
Coffee should be my middle name Haha. This machine looks amazing. Nespresso rocks and are always so innovative.
Lucy Parissi says
Fancy having the same middle name 😉 I am so addicted to the Barista I worry I will wear it out!
Michelle says
Couldn’t live without my nespresso, I think it’s probably the most used gadget in my kitchen too!
I need to get me one of those baristas – they look amazing!
Lucy Parissi says
I know me too! We took our Nespresso machine on holiday with us 🙂