Coffee Makers, Coffee Pods & K-Cups

Reviewing LIMITED-EDITION Nespresso Pods – Frosted Caramel Nut, Seasonal Spices, and More!

Written by

Erica Cervenkova

Coffee Holli Top Pick

With the festive season upon us, Nespresso has unveiled its limited-edition holiday pods – Frosted Caramel, Seasonal Spices, and more.

In this special review, I’ll be exploring each pod’s distinct flavor profiles and giving you a taste test verdict. Plus, I’m excited to share some exclusive holiday recipes that you can recreate at home using these pods.

Get ready for a journey filled with delightful flavors and holiday cheer!

Explore the detailed breakdown of festive Nespresso pods in the table below. It includes essential information such as the pod name, size, coffee grams, caffeine content, intensity, and aromatic profile.

This comprehensive table will help you understand the unique characteristics of each Nespresso pod from the 2023 holiday limited edition.

Pod Name
Size
Coffee Grams
Caffeine Content
Intensity
Aromatic Profile
Festive Black Nespresso Pod
Festive Black

Double Espresso

5.4

65

7

Woody & Spicy​

Seasonal Delight Spices Nespresso Pod
Seasonal Delight Spices

Espresso/Lungo

4.9

60

?

Festive Citrus & Spice

Forsted Caramel Nut Nespresso Pod
Frosted Caramel Nut

Espresso/Lungo

4.9

60

?

Caramel & Almond​

The Festive Black Pod Review

Let’s dive into our very first pod review, featuring Nespresso’s Festive Black.

The Festive Black Pod Review

The Festive Black’s aroma is captivating, dominated by a woody essence intermingled with roasted, sweet brown spices.

Now, the real test – the taste. Upon the first sip, those brown spices are unmistakable. But what’s truly remarkable is the delicate fruit hint that lingers at the end, even after the initial taste.

The Festive Black, with its unique flavor profile, offers an exciting opportunity for experimentation and inspiration.

Coffee Martini Recipe

Coffee Martini Recipe

I’m excited to share my latest creation that’ll elevate your holiday cheer. Today, we’re using Nespresso’s Festive Black Double Espresso Pod to concoct a delightful Coffee Martini. This recipe is perfect for those festive evenings. Let’s get started!

Ingredients:

  1. Festive Black Double Espresso Pod (room temperature)
  2. Ice cubes
  3. 1/2 ounce of Kahlúa
  4. 1/2 ounce of simple syrup
  5. Fresh coffee beans (for garnish)

Step-by-Step:

  • Step 1: Prepare the Shaker – Start by adding some ice cubes to your cocktail shaker. This step is crucial for chilling the martini.
  • Step 2: Add the Espresso – Next, pour in the espresso from the Festive Black Double Espresso Pod. Ensure it’s at room temperature for the best flavor blend.
  • Step 3: Include Kahlúa – Now, introduce 1/2 ounce of Kahlúa to the mix. This adds a rich, coffee-flavored liqueur taste to your martini.
  • Step 4: Sweeten the Mix – Time for some sweetness! Add 1/2 ounce of simple syrup to the shaker. It balances the robust coffee flavors.
  • Step 5: Shake it Up – Here’s the fun part! Secure the lid on your shaker and give it a good, vigorous shake. This blends all the ingredients perfectly.
  • Step 6: Serve with Style – Strain the contents into a martini glass. The smooth, chilled mix is now ready to impress.
  • Step 7: Garnish with Coffee Beans – Finally, garnish your coffee martini with fresh coffee beans floating on top. It adds an aesthetic touch and a hint of fresh coffee aroma.

Iced Espresso with a Twist Recipe

The Festive Black Pod Review Recipes

Diving into our second recipe with Nespresso’s Festa Black Double Espresso Pod, I’m here to show you how to create an indulgent Iced Espresso Cream. This one is simple yet incredibly satisfying. Let’s get right to it!

Ingredients:

  1. Festa Black Double Espresso Pod (room temperature)
  2. Ice cubes
  3. Nestle Coffeemate Kahlúa Creamer

Step-by-Step:

  • Step 1: Prepare the Espresso – Start by allowing the espresso from the Festa Black Double Espresso Pod to reach room temperature. This ensures the perfect balance of flavors.
  • Step 2: Ice the Glass – Next, fill your glass with ice cubes. This step is key to creating that refreshing iced espresso experience.
  • Step 3: Stir it Up – With a cocktail spoon, give the iced espresso a gentle stir. This blends the espresso and ice effectively.
  • Step 4: Add Kahlúa Creamer – Now for the creamy twist! Add Nestle Coffeemate Kahlúa Creamer to your iced espresso. The amount is to your liking, but a generous pour makes it extra creamy.
  • Step 5: Mix and Enjoy – Give the mixture a final stir to combine the creamy goodness with the chilled espresso.

Seasonal Delight Spices Pod Review

Seasonal Delight Spices Pod Review

Moving on to our next exciting pod review – Seasonal Delight Spices. This intriguing blend mixes Latin American coffee with African Arabicas, promising a unique taste experience. Nespresso characterizes this flavor as ‘citrus and spice and everything nice’, including spice cake. I’m eager to see if it lives up to this delicious description.

Upon tasting, the first thing you notice is a subtle hint of citrus that gently emerges. However, the real star of the show here is the prominent holiday spices. These spices don’t just add flavor; they capture the essence of the holidays in a cup.

This pod is a perfect example of how Nespresso brings together diverse coffee traditions and tastes, creating something truly special. If you’re a fan of holiday flavors or enjoy a twist in your coffee, the Seasonal Delight Spices is definitely a must-try.

Aromatic Spiced Coffee Recipe

Aromatic Spiced Coffee Recipe

This time, we’re crafting a Spiced Vanilla Coffee that’s not just visually stunning but also a treat for the taste buds, especially during the holiday season. Let’s dive in!

Ingredients:

  1. Star anise pods
  2. Vanilla flavored syrup
  3. Nutmeg
  4. 4 ounces of milk
  5. Seasonal Delight Spices Pod

Step-by-Step:

  • Step 1: Infuse with Star Anise – Place a one-star anise pod in your glass, either before or after brewing the coffee. The heat from the coffee will extract the aromatic oils from the anise, infusing the drink with its unique flavor.
  • Step 2: Add Vanilla Syrup – Pour in one tablespoon of vanilla-flavored syrup. This adds a sweet, rich vanilla note that pairs beautifully with the spice.
  • Step 3: Froth the Milk – Heat up your 4 ounces of milk and use a hand whisk to froth it along with the vanilla syrup. Continue whisking until the milk froth doubles in size, which should take about a minute or two.
  • Step 4: Remove the Anise Pod – Before proceeding, remember to remove the star anise pod from the glass. This ensures the flavor isn’t overpowering.
  • Step 5: Combine with Coffee – Brew your Nespresso’s seasonal coffee pod into the glass. Then, gently add your vanilla-flavored milk froth on top.
  • Step 6: Garnish and Serve – Garnish your Spiced Vanilla Coffee with a fresh star anise pod and a sprinkle of ground nutmeg for an extra festive touch.

Frosted Caramel Nut Pod Review

Frosted Caramel Nut Pod Review

According to the Espresso website, this flavor profile boasts rich caramel notes along with almond vanilla biscuits.

For those who adore caramel-flavored coffees, this pod is a dream come true. The aromatics from the brewed coffee are simply wonderful. I’m eager to taste it. True to its description, the rich caramel notes shine through brilliantly. However, I find myself wishing the almond vanilla biscuit flavor was as pronounced.

This pod offers a delightful caramel experience, but those looking for the subtle nuances of almond and vanilla might find it a bit lacking. Nonetheless, it’s a festive treat worth trying for any caramel coffee lover.

Salted Caramel Nut Coffee Recipe

Salted Caramel Nut Coffee Recipe

For our final recipe in this series, we’re exploring the rich and cozy world of Nespresso’s Frosted Caramel Nut Pod. I’m thrilled to show you how to whip up a Frosted Caramel Nut Coffee that’s perfect for those chilly mornings or relaxing evenings. Let’s dive in!

Ingredients:

  1. Frosted Caramel Nut Pod
  2. Salted Caramel Sauce
  3. Chobani Caramel Macchiato Flavored Creamer

Step-by-Step:

  • Step 1: Brew the Coffee – Begin by brewing your coffee using the Frosted Caramel Nut Pod. This pod offers a blend of almond, vanilla, and biscuit flavors, ideal for a comforting cup.
  • Step 2: Froth the Creamer – Using an electric hand whisk, froth the Chobani Caramel Macchiato Flavored Creamer. This adds a creamy, luxurious texture to your coffee.
  • Step 3: Combine Coffee and Creamer – Gently pour the frothed creamer into the brewed coffee. Stir lightly to mix well, creating a smooth, creamy blend.
  • Step 4: Add Salted Caramel Sauce – Now for the star ingredient! Drizzle salted caramel sauce over the top. This not only enhances the sweetness but also elevates the nutty and vanilla notes of the coffee.
  • Step 5: Savor the Flavor – Give your creation a final stir and get ready to indulge in the layers of flavor. The Frosted Caramel Nut Coffee is a testament to the harmony of sweet and salty, creamy and nutty.

Wrapping up…

I hope you’ve found inspiration to experiment with Nespresso’s limited-edition pods. Each recipe, from the elegant Coffee Martini to the refreshing Iced Espresso Cream, and finally, the indulgent Frosted Caramel Nut Coffee, showcases the versatility and rich flavors of these seasonal pods.

Nespresso Seasonal Pods Review

In conclusion:

The beauty of Nespresso’s seasonal offerings lies in their ability to transform a simple coffee routine into an extraordinary experience.

Whether you’re a seasoned coffee enthusiast or just looking for something new to try, these recipes are a testament to the creativity and enjoyment coffee can bring into our lives.

Remember:

Coffee is more than just a beverage; it’s an adventure in every cup. I encourage you to explore these flavors, tweak the recipes to your taste, and maybe even create your own unique concoctions.

Share your experiences and discoveries in the comments – I’d love to hear from you!

About
Erica Cervenkova
Coffee Connoisseur, SCA Member

As a coffee connoisseur and member of the Specialty Coffee Association, I am dedicated to understanding the sustainability of coffee pods and the impact it has on the environment. My expertise lies in the realm of capsule coffee machines, from the likes of Keurig and Nespresso to other well-known US brands. I am passionate about sharing my knowledge and helping others make informed decisions about their coffee choices. Whether you're a coffee enthusiast or just looking for a new way to enjoy your morning cup, I'm here to help.

Erica

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