What Are the Best Nespresso Pods for Latte Drinks?

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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 machines, making a Nespresso latte is a breeze. But with so many capsules to choose from, which ones should you use? We review all of the best Nespresso pods for lattes and explain how to make a latte with Nespresso using a Vertuo and Original machine.

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 latte macchiato will be more espresso forward. While the ingredients are the same, the difference arises from the preparation sequence.

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 latte 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, which is why a macchiato has a stronger espresso taste.

What Milk To Use In A Nespresso Latte?

If you drink dairy, whole milk at refrigerator temperature works best for steaming and frothing. It has an optimal level of lactic sugar, protein and fat that results in just the right level of creaminess and amount of foam for latte art. If you don’t like whole, I suggest using 2% reduced fat instead of skim milk. Skim just can’t yield the taste or texture most people expect with their latte because 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 froth well and create the right foam for a latte, especially those labeled as a “barista version”. 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 latte you will need to be able to steam milk. Nespresso Vertuo machines do not have a built in milk warmer so you will need an accessory, like the Aeroccino 3 or 4 milk frother.

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, froth the milk first, pour it into your cup, and then brew the espresso directly into the milk-filled cup.

To make an iced latte, just use cold milk instead of the steamed milk. It’s best to add the ice after you have cooled down the espresso with cold milk. You can also use a HyperChiller to cool your coffee quickly to prevent ice from watering down your drink.

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 capsules should be used to make a Nespresso latte.

Espresso capsules are brewed with less water compared to others, so you get a more concentrated cup of coffee that is perfect for adding to milk. Regular Nespresso coffee capsules cannot be used to make a latte.

If you are looking for pods for an iced latte, click here.

Vertuo Pods for Regular-Sized Lattes

Diavolitto

Intensity Level: 11 out of 13

1.35 oz espresso

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 Level: 9 out of 13

1.35 oz espresso

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

Diavolitto and Altissio Variety Pack

If both of those more intense Vertuo espressos sound good to you, you may enjoy a variety pack that combines both flavors.

Voltesso

Intensity Level: 4 out of 13

1.35 oz espresso

If you are looking for a light and sweet espresso for a latte, then Voltesso is a great choice. Voltesso is a light roast and mild espresso. It has a balanced and round profile with a distinctly sweet aroma and biscuit notes. The milk used to prepare the latte will this drink 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 espresso as single espresso capsules. That makes Nespresso Vertuo double espressos perfect for when you want a larger latte.

Double Espresso Chiaro

Intensity Level: 6 out of 13

2.7 oz double espresso

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 Level: 8 out of 13

2.7 oz double espresso

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 to make a latte, the milk makes those cocoa notes get even stronger.

Vertuo Pods for Decaf Lattes

Decaffeinato Intenso

Intensity Level: 7 out of 13

1.35 oz espresso

This decaf espresso Vertuo pod is a great pick for a latte later in the day or in the evening. It has a mix of cocoa and fruity aromatic notes because it is a blend of beans from Asia and South America. The milk will bring out a sweet taste and creamy texture from this espresso. One capsule will have 12 mg of caffeine or less.

Best Nespresso Vertuo Capsules for Latte on Ice

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 the latte. You can also use the HyperChiller to cool the espresso.

However, there are two new Nespresso Vertuo iced coffee pods specifically made for iced lattes. They are ground to create a delicate, cooling sensation. These are the best Nespresso pods for iced lattes.

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

Forte is a dark-roast double iced espresso pod with woody and peppery notes.

How to Make a Latte With Nespresso Original 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. I find the Nespresso Aeroccino very easy to use.

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

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

The Best Original Nespresso Capsules for Latte Drinks

Original Pods for Dark Roast Lattes

Firenze Arpeggio

Intensity Level: 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 Level: 10 out of 13

Ristretto Italiano is a strong and powerful espresso inspired by Italy’s coffee culture. It has a combination of beans from South America and East Africa. As a result, you will experience 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 Level: 6 out of 13

This barista creation espresso 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 Level: 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 combination produces the delicate aroma and rounded mouthfeel that is representative of coffee from Northern Italy.

Original Pods for Light Roast Lattes

Volutto

Intensity Level: 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 Level: 4 out of 13

You will find that Volutto decaf espresso is delightfully sweet and smooth. It has rich 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 Level: 9 out of 13

Firenze decaf espresso 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 Original 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.Alternatively, you can use the HyperChiller to cool the espresso.

However, new Nespresso cold brew pods are specifically designed for iced drinks ground specifically to create a delicate, cooling sensation. If both Freddo pods sound good to you, try the Variety pack.

Freddo Intenso

Freddo Intenso is a dark roast espresso specifically designed 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 espresso made to be brewed over ice. It is made from Kenyan coffee beans that give it a sweet and fruity flavor profile.

Nespresso Latte Recipes For Vertuo And Original

How to Make a 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 Vertuo double espresso pod or two single Vertuo or Original 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 Vertuo double espresso pod or two single Vertuo or Original 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.