Owners of Original or L’OR BARISTA machines
You’re looking for capsules that work with your machine and may also want a variety that’s specifically described as suitable for drinking over ice, such as L’OR Santorini Sunset at Auchan.
Who is this guide for?
Owners of Vertuo machines
You want to make your coffee before your journey with a Vertuo capsule, perhaps to serve it over ice. Nespresso France’s ‘Iced Coffees’ selection is designed for this system.
Travellers who add milk or a plant-based drink
You’re planning a cold drink to go with your meal. As well as choosing a capsule, you’ll need to arrange suitable transport for any ingredients that need to be kept chilled. The Anses recommends using an insulated bag for refrigerated products.
What should you check?
Check your machine’s system before choosing a cold-coffee recipe: a capsule described as suitable for drinking over ice won’t necessarily work with a different system.
Nespresso Original and L’OR BARISTA
Choose this if: your machine takes capsules designed for its system. Auchan lists L’OR Santorini Sunset as suitable for drinking hot or over ice.
Bear in mind: Original compatibility doesn’t mean a capsule will work with Vertuo or Dolce Gusto, and a compatible capsule isn’t necessarily intended for drinking over ice.
Nespresso Vertuo
Choose this if: you have a Vertuo machine and are looking for capsules marketed for iced coffee, such as Nespresso France’s selection.
Bear in mind: capsules compatible with Nespresso Original aren’t a substitute for Vertuo capsules.
Dolce Gusto
Choose this if: your machine uses this system. ALDI France lists BARISSIMO capsules that are compatible with Dolce Gusto, for example.
Bear in mind: check separately whether the variety you choose is specifically described as suitable for drinking cold.
| Factor | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Compatibility | Compare the system shown on your machine with the one listed on the box: Original or L’OR BARISTA, Vertuo, or Dolce Gusto. | I want to make my coffee at home before catching the train without choosing the wrong format. Around 42% of consumers are said to prioritise compatibility. |
| Suitable for drinking cold | Look for an explicit indication that the coffee is suitable for drinking over ice. The intensity rating alone won’t tell you how it will taste with ice. | For my meal, I want a capsule that’s clearly described as suitable for serving over ice. Around 33% of consumers are said to prioritise this. |
| Transport | Use a leakproof container and, for ingredients that need to be kept cold, a suitable insulated bag. | If I add milk to my drink, the main thing is keeping it cold until mealtime. Around 25% of consumers are said to prioritise this requirement. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Mixing up Original, Vertuo and Dolce Gusto
A capsule designed for a different system won’t work in your machine. Auchan lists L’OR Santorini Sunset for Nespresso Original and L’OR BARISTA, while Nespresso France’s iced selection is for Vertuo.
Check the system name on your machine, then look for exactly the same compatibility on the box.
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Assuming a high intensity means it’s suitable for drinking over ice
The intensity rating doesn’t replace an explicit indication that the variety you’ve chosen is suitable for drinking cold.
If there’s no such indication, try making it with ice at home before taking it with you on your journey.
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Making a milky drink without planning how to transport it
Adding milk means you’ll need to keep the drink cold during your journey. The Anses recommends limiting how long refrigerated products are left at room temperature and using an insulated bag to transport them.
If your recipe contains chilled ingredients, get your container and cooling solution ready before you set off.
You may need an insulated bag and a freezer pack to transport these ingredients.
Brands to know for these formats
Carte Noire
Carrefour lists, among other options, a box of 30 Carte Noire decaffeinated espresso capsules compatible with Nespresso Original.
- Worth considering if you’re looking for this compatibility and a decaffeinated variety.
- If you’re making coffee to serve over ice, choose a variety to suit your taste rather than assuming compatibility means it’s suitable for drinking cold.
L’OR
Auchan states that Santorini Sunset espresso capsules are compatible with Nespresso Original and L’OR BARISTA, and can be enjoyed hot or over ice.
- The recommendation for drinking over ice applies to the Santorini Sunset variety.
- It doesn’t automatically apply to other L’OR capsules or to Vertuo machines.
Nespresso
Nespresso France offers an ‘Iced Coffees’ selection for Vertuo machines.
- The varieties in this Vertuo selection are specifically described as suitable for cold coffee.
- Don’t confuse the Vertuo system with Nespresso Original.
BARISSIMO
ALDI France lists BARISSIMO capsules compatible with Nespresso, as well as others compatible with Dolce Gusto, depending on the variety.
- Start by checking the system shown on the box.
- Don’t assume that one BARISSIMO variety has the same compatibility as another. If there’s no indication that it’s suitable for drinking over ice, try your recipe first.
Carrefour Selection
Carrefour lists Carrefour Selection capsules compatible with Nespresso, including a decaffeinated variety.
- Another range to explore if your machine takes the format shown.
- Check the exact variety and how you plan to use it before making an iced drink.
Capsules available on Joybuy
These capsules are for making coffee before your journey with a machine compatible with Nespresso or Dolce Gusto. If you want to serve your coffee over ice, try the recipe at home first. Compatibility with your machine doesn’t, by itself, mean the coffee is suitable for drinking cold.
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STARBUCKS Espresso Roast Nespresso, 10 capsules
Make an espresso before you set off, as long as your machine takes the Nespresso capsules listed for this variety.
Box of 10 capsules. If you want to drink it over ice, try your recipe first.
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Starbucks Nespresso Hazelnut, 10 capsules, 51 g
Make a flavoured coffee before your journey with a machine that matches the Nespresso compatibility listed for this variety.
Box of 10 capsules, 51 g. Check your machine’s exact system and try the recipe first if you plan to serve it over ice.
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GIMOKA Lungo compatible with Dolce Gusto, 16 capsules, 112 g
Make a lungo before you set off if you have a compatible Dolce Gusto machine.
Box of 16 capsules, 112 g. Try the lungo over ice before choosing this recipe for your journey.
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GIMOKA Caffè Latte compatible with Dolce Gusto, 16 capsules, 160 g
Make a caffè latte-style drink before your journey with a compatible Dolce Gusto machine.
Box of 16 capsules, 160 g. Check the ingredients if you have any dietary requirements. If you’re taking the drink cold with you, make sure it stays chilled.
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GIMOKA Espresso Deciso compatible with Dolce Gusto, 16 capsules, 112 g
Make an espresso before boarding the train with a compatible Dolce Gusto machine.
Box of 16 capsules, 112 g. The intensity rating doesn’t replace trying your recipe over ice first.
Frequently asked questions
Will a capsule compatible with Nespresso Original work in a Vertuo machine?
No. Nespresso Original and Vertuo are separate systems. Check the system name on your machine and the box. Nespresso France’s ‘Iced Coffees’ selection is designed for Vertuo.
How do I choose a capsule for coffee served over ice?
First, look for a variety that’s compatible with your machine, then check that it’s explicitly described as suitable for drinking cold. Auchan lists L’OR Santorini Sunset as suitable for drinking hot or over ice with the specified machines, while Nespresso France offers an iced selection for Vertuo.
When should I make cold coffee for a meal on the train?
Make it with your compatible machine before you set off, then transport it in a suitable leakproof container. A capsule on its own won’t let you make coffee on board without a machine. If you add a refrigerated ingredient, make sure that stays cold too.
How should I transport cold coffee with milk?
Transport your drink in a way that keeps any ingredients requiring refrigeration cold. The Anses recommends limiting how long sensitive foods are left at room temperature and using an insulated bag to transport refrigerated products.