A collection of simple, money-saving Starbucks Verismo recipes you can use to make your favorite Starbucks drinks at home.
You’ve probably received the quick start recipe book when you purchased your Verismo machine. It’s a great place to start, but I’ve also adapted some of my favorite coffee recipes so you can make them at home using your Verismo machine. I will also show you how you can use certain products strategically to get the perfect result – and spend less!
VERISMO RECIPES: HOT COFFEES
VERISMO LATTE
You need: 1 espresso pod + 5 oz hot milk (or 1 milk pod)
Directions: Make 1 oz espresso, using top espresso button. Froth milk or heat the milk in the microwave and add to your coffee. If using milk pods, insert 1 milk pod and press the milk button, then insert 1 espresso pod and press espresso button. Makes: 6 oz latte. If you want to make a 12 oz latte, use 2 espresso pods and 10 oz fresh milk.
Starbucks recipe: If you want to make a 12 oz latte, Starbucks recommends using 1 espresso pod and 2 milk pods.
VERISMO VANILLA LATTE
You can easily make a vanilla latte (or any flavored latte) at home with your Verismo machine. Use the recipe above (1 espresso pod + 5 oz milk) and add 1 tbsp vanilla syrup (use 2 tbsp if you’re making a 12 ounce cup) or a few drops of vanilla extract. You can use other syrups too: caramel, peppermint or hazelnut.
VERISMO AMERICANO
You need: 1 espresso pod
Directions: Take espresso pod of your choice, insert and make 1 oz espresso using top espresso button. Lift and close the handle without inserting a pod. Press brewed coffee button to add hot water. Makes: 8 oz Americano. To make a grande Americano (16 ounce), brew 2 espresso pods into the same cup. Then add 14 oz hot water, using brewed coffee button x 2.
VERISMO MOCHA
You need: 2 espresso pods + 1 tsp cocoa powder + 10 oz hot milk
Directions: Put 1 tsp cocoa powder and 1/2 tsp sugar in a cup, add few teaspoons hot water and mix into a sauce. Brew 2 espresso pods directly into a cup with cocoa-sugar mixture. Add 10 oz frothed milk and sugar to taste. Makes: 12 ounces.
Starbucks recipe: 1 espresso pod + 1 milk pod + 1 tbsp Fontana bittersweet chocolate sauce ($24.95/ 63fl oz). Preparation: Place sauce in a mug. Brew 1 milk pod (or add frothed milk), then brew 1 espresso pod. Makes: 7 oz drink.
VERISMO WHITE CHOCOLATE MOCHA
You need: 2 espresso pods + 4 tablespoons white chocolate chips + 10 oz hot milk
Directions: Brew two espresso pods. Add white chocolate chips and stir until chocolate is melted. Add hot milk, sugar to taste and stir well. Garnish with whipped cream. Makes 12 ounces.
VERISMO PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE
Depending on what pods you normally use, you can make your Verismo pumpkin spice latte using espresso or brewed coffee pods. This homemade version is like $1.50 per cup!
recipe 1, using espresso pods
You need: 1 espresso pod + 6 oz fresh milk + 1 tbsp pumpkin puree + 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice + 1 tsp sugar.
Directions: In a small saucepan, combine milk, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and pumpkin puree and heat until steaming, whisking occasionally. Brew 1 espresso pod and add milk mixture. Garnish with whipped cream. Makes: 7 oz.
recipe 2, using brewed coffee pods
You need: 1 brewed coffee pod + 4 oz fresh milk + 1 tbsp pumpkin puree + 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice + 1 tsp sugar.
Directions: In a small saucepan, combine milk, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and pumpkin puree and heat until steaming, whisking occasionally. Brew 1 coffee pod and add milk mixture. Garnish with whipped cream. Makes: 11 oz.
VERISMO CHAI LATTE
You need: 1 Teavana Masala Chai pod ($11.95) + 5 oz hot (or frothed) milk
Directions: heat up 5 oz milk in a microwave or froth with milk frother. Brew 1 chai pod at brewed coffee setting (middle button) and add to your milk.
VERISMO HOLIDAY SPICE FLAT WHITE
You need: 1 espresso pod + 6 oz milk + 1/4 tsp cinnamon + 1 tsp brown sugar + a pinch of each: ginger, nutmeg, clove and tangerine zest.
Directions: In a small saucepan, combine milk, spices and brown sugar. Whisk vigorously to make the froth and heat the mixture on medium-high until it is steaming and fragrant, whisking occasionally. Pour into the cup, place a cup in place to brew and brew 1 espresso pod.
VERISMO ICED COFFEE RECIPES
VERISMO ICED LATTE
You need: 1 espresso pod + 5 oz cold milk + 4 large ice cubes + sugar to taste
Directions: Brew espresso pod at short espresso setting. Put 4 large ice cubes in a cup and really slowly pour espresso over the ice cubes. Add 4 oz cold milk and sugar to taste and stir.
ICED VANILLA LATTE, OR ANY FLAVORED LATTE
You need: 1 espresso pod + 5 oz cold milk + 4 large ice cubes + 2 tbsp flavored syrup
Directions: Brew 1 espresso pod. Put 2 tbsp flavored syrup and ice cubes in a cup and slowly add espresso. Add cold milk and sugar to taste then stir.
ICED VERISMO AMERICANO
You need: 1 espresso pod + 1 ounce cold filtered water + 4 large ice cubes
Directions: Brew one espresso at short espresso button. Add cold filtered water and 4 large ice cubes.
VERISMO ICED CARAMEL MACCHIATO
You need: 1 espresso pod + 1/2 cup cold milk + 4 large ice cubes + 1 tbsp vanilla syrup + 2 tbsp caramel sauce
Directions: Brew one espresso at short espresso button. To put together your drink take a cup and add 1 tbsp vanilla syrup, cold milk then ice cubes. After that, slowly pour in espresso and drizzle with caramel sauce.
VERISMO DOUBLESHOT ON ICE
You need: 2 espresso pods + 1/2 cup ice cubes + 1 tbsp simple syrup or, 1 tsp sugar + milk
Directions: Brew espresso pods. In a shaker combine 1/2 cup ice cubes, espresso shots and 1 tbsp simple syrup/sugar. Shake for few seconds. Pour in a cup and add a splash of milk or half and half.
STARBUCKS COLD BREW COFFEE
You can easily make your own cold brew concentrate at home. You don’t need a Verismo machine, just ground coffee. Starbucks recommends to use their cold brew coffee, but you can really use any blend that you like. And, here’s a step by step guide on how to make your own cold brew coffee.
A few notes:
Milk pods: You will notice that most of these recipes call for fresh milk, and for several reasons. First, fresh milk always tastes better than powdered milk, so I like to use fresh milk. This will also save you a ton of money – instead of buying milk pods, you can use regular milk and use that money to get the coffee pods. You can also easily adapt these recipes and make them dairy-free. Simply substitute with your favorite dairy-free milk options like rice, soy or almond milk.
Not using milk pods with also help keep your machine clean. The problem with Verismo is that milk from the pods goes through the entire unit and it can’t be cleaned properly. These milk protein build ups may result in bad, sour milk odor which is pretty much impossible to remove once it’s there. That’s why prevention is really important. I suggest avoiding using milk pods in your machine from the beginning, if possible. You can either heat the milk on the stove, or get a milk frother. In fact, if you want that nice foam on top, the frother is probably the best choice. You can find some nice options on Amazon for $40.
Saving money: While they are super convenient, Verismo pods aren’t always the most affordable option. The best way to save on Verismo pods is to buy them in bulk. Starbucks no longer sells Verismo pods online, but you can purchase them online at Bed, Bath & Beyond and Amazon.
The CBTL pods also work in Verismo machines and they are really popular. They are cheaper than Verismo pods and taste great! Our readers love these CBTL pods:
1. CBTL Premium espresso pods
2. CBTL Kona Blend coffee pods
3. CBTL Italian espresso pods
4. CBTL French vanilla coffee pods
5. CBTL French Brew coffee pods
Using your own coffee in Verismo: Starbucks doesn’t make a reusable Verismo pod, but these foil seals for k-fee pod type are super popular. They do require more work but it’s a good option if you want to use your own coffee in Verismo machine.
Manufacturers recommend using only original pods. Using different pods can sometimes cause damage to the machine. This rarely happens, but let’s say that original pods/capsules are always the best option. Use other pod options at your own risk.
I hope this helps! Enjoy!
