8 Nescafé Gold Espresso Recipes (Hot and Iced)
The basic Nescafé Gold Espresso recipe is 1 teaspoon of the instant coffee stirred into 2 ounces of hot, not boiling, water. That makes one espresso-style shot with a thin layer of foam on top. For an Americano, use the same teaspoon with 6 ounces of water. Those are the amounts on the jar, and every recipe below builds on them.
Because it dissolves in seconds, Nescafé Gold Espresso is the easiest way to make lattes, iced shaken espresso and whipped coffee without a machine. Below are 8 Nescafé Gold Espresso recipes, hot and iced, with exact amounts for each.
What You’ll Need
Nescafé Gold Espresso Blonde – the smoother, lighter version
Nescafé Gold Espresso Intense – the bolder version for milk drinks
Handheld milk frother – foams milk and whips coffee in seconds
Cocktail shaker – for iced shaken espresso
Glass coffee cups – shows off layered iced drinks
Small measuring spoons – keeps the strength consistent
Nescafé Gold Espresso Basics
| Drink | Instant espresso | Water | Then add |
|---|---|---|---|
| Espresso shot | 1 teaspoon | 2 ounces hot water | Nothing |
| Double shot | 2 teaspoons | 2 to 3 ounces hot water | Nothing |
| Americano | 1 teaspoon | 6 ounces hot water | Milk or sugar to taste |
| For iced drinks | 2 teaspoons | 2 tablespoons hot water | Ice and cold milk |
Use hot water just off the boil. Boiling water can taste flat and bitter with instant coffee. For iced drinks, always dissolve the coffee in a little hot water first, since instant coffee clumps in cold milk.
Blonde is mellow and slightly sweet, which suits black coffee and iced drinks. Intense is darker and holds up better under a lot of milk.
8 Nescafé Gold Espresso Recipes
1. Nescafé Gold Espresso Latte
- 2 teaspoons Nescafé Gold Espresso
- 2 ounces hot water
- 1 cup milk
- 1 to 2 tablespoons syrup or 1 to 2 teaspoons sugar, optional
Stir the coffee into the hot water in your mug, then stir in any sweetener. Heat the milk until it steams, about 140 to 150 degrees F, and froth it for 20 to 30 seconds with a handheld frother. Pour the milk into the coffee and spoon the foam on top. Our latte recipe covers more frothing methods.
2. Iced Nescafé Gold Espresso Latte
Dissolve 2 teaspoons of the coffee in 2 tablespoons of hot water with 1 to 2 tablespoons of syrup. Fill a 16 ounce glass with ice, add 3/4 cup of cold milk and pour the coffee over the top. Our vanilla syrup for coffee is the classic choice here.
3. Iced Shaken Espresso
This is the most popular way to use Nescafé Gold Espresso, because shaking instant coffee makes a thick, lasting foam. Dissolve 2 teaspoons of coffee in 2 tablespoons of hot water. Add 1 tablespoon of brown sugar syrup and a cocktail shaker full of ice, then shake hard for 15 seconds. Pour everything into a glass and top with 1/2 cup of oat milk. The full cafe-style version is in our iced brown sugar shaken espresso recipe, and the syrup is in our brown sugar simple syrup.
4. Whipped Nescafé Gold Espresso (Dalgona-Style)
- 2 tablespoons Nescafé Gold Espresso
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons hot water
- 1 cup cold milk and ice
Whisk the coffee, sugar and hot water with a handheld frother for 2 to 3 minutes, or by hand for about 5, until it turns light tan and holds soft peaks. Spoon it over a glass of iced milk and stir before drinking. Equal parts coffee, sugar and water is what makes it whip, so keep the ratio.
5. Nescafé Gold Espresso Mocha
Stir 2 teaspoons of coffee and 2 tablespoons of chocolate sauce into 2 ounces of hot water. Add 1 cup of steamed, frothed milk and top with whipped cream. For a holiday version, add 1 tablespoon of peppermint syrup, as in our peppermint mocha recipe.
6. Cold Foam Iced Coffee
Dissolve 1 teaspoon of coffee in 2 tablespoons of hot water and pour it over ice with 6 ounces of cold water for an iced Americano. Top with sweet cream cold foam. For a stronger iced coffee without dilution, see our iced coffee recipe.
7. Instant Espresso Martini
Instant espresso works well in an espresso martini because it is cold in minutes and still foams when shaken. Dissolve 2 teaspoons in 1 ounce of hot water, let it cool, then follow our espresso martini recipe, which includes a non-alcoholic version. Adults of legal drinking age only.
8. Holiday Spiced Americano
Stir 1 teaspoon of coffee and 1 tablespoon of gingerbread or cinnamon syrup into 6 ounces of hot water, then add a splash of cream. The syrups are in our holiday coffee syrups.
Instant Espresso vs Brewed Espresso
| Question | Instant espresso | Brewed espresso |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | A spoon and a kettle | Espresso machine or moka pot |
| Time | About 1 minute | 5 to 15 minutes, including heat-up |
| Flavor | Rounder, less complex | Fuller, more aromatic |
| Foam | A thin layer that shakes up well | Crema from pressure |
| Best for | Iced drinks, travel, quick lattes | Straight shots and milk drinks at their best |
If instant espresso gets you hooked on lattes, the next step up is a moka pot or a machine. See the best stovetop espresso makers and the best home espresso machines.
Marcus’s Pro Tips
- Dissolve before chilling. Always mix instant coffee into a little hot water first, even for iced drinks.
- Shake, do not stir, for foam. A few seconds of hard shaking gives instant espresso a foam that lasts the whole drink.
- Adjust by the teaspoon. Start with the jar’s amount and add half a teaspoon at a time until it tastes right to you.
- Keep the jar sealed. Instant coffee pulls moisture from the air and clumps. Close the lid right after scooping and use a dry spoon.
- Pack it for travel. A small jar and a travel mug make a hotel-room latte with only a kettle.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much Nescafé Gold Espresso do I use?
The jar says 1 teaspoon with 2 ounces of water for an espresso or 6 ounces for an Americano. Use 2 teaspoons for lattes and iced drinks so the coffee is not lost under the milk.
Can you make Nescafé Gold Espresso with cold water?
It dissolves best in hot water. For iced drinks, dissolve it in 1 to 2 tablespoons of hot water first, then add ice and cold milk.
What is the difference between Nescafé Gold Espresso Blonde and Intense?
Blonde is a lighter roast with a mellow, slightly sweet taste. Intense is a darker roast that stands up better in milk drinks.
Is Nescafé Gold Espresso real espresso?
It is instant coffee made to taste like espresso. It is not brewed under pressure, but it makes a strong, foamy shot that works well in lattes and iced drinks.
Can I use Nescafé Gold Espresso in an espresso machine?
No. It is already brewed and dried, so it only needs water. It is not ground coffee for a portafilter or a pod machine.
Why is my whipped coffee not getting fluffy?
The ratio is off or it needs more whisking. Use equal parts coffee, sugar and hot water, and whisk until it holds soft peaks. Sugar substitutes often do not whip.
Start with the iced shaken espresso, since that is where instant espresso shines, then try the latte and the whipped coffee. For more ways to use these drinks, see our Christmas coffee drinks.
Marcus Webb writes about home coffee for BrewElevate. He researches and compares brewing gear, beans and recipes so home brewers can make a better cup without overspending. His rule: if he wouldn’t be comfortable buying it himself, it doesn’t make the list.
