Everybody loves an iced coffee. An espresso shot mixed with creamy milk over ice, and suddenly, your cup is empty in half the time of your hot drink. But as much as I (and seemingly everyone on social media) love an iced vanilla oat milk latte, true coffee connoisseurs know the appeal of cold brew.
Cold brew is stronger, more aromatic, and simplistic in an 'I love coffee for coffee's sake' kind of way. Smeg's new manual espresso and cold brew coffee machine just cut the cold brew brewing process from a typically 24-hour ordeal down to a four-minute process, making it possible to add fresh cold brew over ice to your morning routine. It really is the simple pleasures that make getting up in the morning that much more worthwhile.
Full disclosure: I had the opportunity to view this machine in action at a Smeg event back in September, and I was blown away by learning how the process makes this form of cold brew possible. But of course, I had to try it out myself (without the Smeg professionals around) to see how easy the machine is to use at home. Spoiler alert: it's become one of my new favorites — here's why, plus a full review of the device.
This is the color I tested at home. The white brings a clean, timeless aesthetic to the kitchen countertop.
The cream colorway is another one of my favorites. It's a little cozier looking than the crisp white — perfect for a home cafe party.
And of course, you can't go wrong with black. This shade works well with more luxurious and sleek kitchen designs.
First Impressions
First impressions of this machine were a smash hit — from unboxing and installation to setting it up in its place on my countertop. It's hard not to find yourself mesmerized by Smeg's iconic retro-style appliance range, but I must say I was almost more impressed with the packaging.
The machine and each separate part came in a cloth bag for protection, but really, it made the unboxing experience feel extremely elevated. When you're investing in a quality espresso machine, you want to feel like you're paying for that quality — safe to say, we were off to a good start.
Now, the Smeg cold brew coffee machine doesn't come with many extra coffee accessories. You have your portafiller, varying filter baskets, and tamper; it's the essentials, but no flourish. More notably, there is no built-in grinder — an element that you would have with other semi-automatic machines, such as the Kitchenaid semi-automatic espresso maker.
For the sake of this review, I also tested Smeg's matching grinder to appreciate the full experience (and I highly recommend considering this route yourself, if you don't already have a coffee grinder at home).
Testing the Machine
This machine comes with both a hot espresso function and a cold brew function. So without further ado, let's dive into how each of those operates.
Testing the Espresso Maker
I am no stranger to experimenting with espresso machines vs coffee makers, and everything in between (I have four machines currently in my apartment). So, I find that brewing the first espresso shot on a new machine comes pretty naturally to me (I've had a lot of practice).
I mention this because Smeg's instruction manual isn't the easiest to follow. If this is your first time using an espresso machine, you'll get there — it just might take a few read-throughs of the instructions to grasp the step-by-step process.
However, once that is all said and done, I truly think this is one of the easiest coffee machines to use. There are three buttons at the top — for a single shot, double shot, and milk steaming — and when the lights are white (the white light indicates the machine is in 'espresso mode'), you pop the portafiller with grinds in and let the brewing begin.
Simple, streamlined, and resulting in a smooth espresso shot.
Testing the Cold Brew Function
Now for the cold brew side of things. To begin this process, ensure that the lights on the top buttons are set on the blue setting; then, decide whether you want a single or double serving of cold brew.
I'd also say it's important to ensure you have the right filter basket in before you begin brewing. Where the espresso shot requires a pressurized basket, the cold brew method uses a non-pressurized basket. This, along with a larger bean grind size, helps the water to filter through the grinds more easily.
Keep in mind that while this is an exceptionally fast cold brewing process, it will still take longer than a standard espresso shot. I timed my double cold brew out to be around five minutes total.
Plus, you don't have to have much experience with steaming wands or milk frothing techniques to try your hand at a latte. Once again, the Smeg cold brew coffee machine delivered a very user-friendly experience when steaming milk.
Quality of Coffee
Even though the design writer in me loves aesthetics (and the night owl in me loves an easy morning routine), the quality of the coffee is the most important part of investing in a coffee machine.
I can honestly say that I was very impressed with the espresso shots this machine pulls. The very first one had a nearly perfect crema layer, and the milk came out silky on my first go on the steaming wand as well. Maybe I have a bit more experience than the average person, but I do think that this is a very beginner-friendly machine.
However, to have the best quality espresso, you will most likely need to invest in a grinder.
As for the cold brew, it's hard to describe how impressed I am with this machine without sounding hyperbolic. Cold brew is a process that usually takes around 12-24 hours.
After years spent working in a cafe that sold homemade cold brew, this process is a drag. So, getting a double cup of cold brew in just five minutes is phenomenal. And, more importantly, it tastes delicious.
You can either brew the cold brew directly over ice or add it afterwards (it comes out slightly warm, so you probably want to add ice for the full cold coffee effect). Then simply add milk or drink as is!
Should You Buy the Smeg Cold Brew Coffee Machine?
So now, the question of the hour: Should you buy the Smeg cold brew coffee machine? If you are ready to invest in a high-quality machine for your home coffee bar, my answer is: yes, yes, definitely yes.
This machine is slim enough to fit on countertops with limited space (even with the grinder, it still doesn't take up too much room); you get a unique variety of regular espresso and cold brew that you definitely don't get with other machines; plus, it's easy to use. That's a win, win, win.
If you're looking for something all-in-one, of course, I'd opt for something more automatic, like the De'Longhi La Specialista Touch machine or again, the Kitchenaid semi-automatic.
Also, this machine runs a bit louder than some of the other machines I've tested recently, so if you're living in an apartment with thin walls and grouchy neighbors, you might want to take that detail into consideration.
All in all, the Smeg cold brew machine has my full stamp of approval.
More Coffee Products From Smeg
This is the grinder I tested with the cold brew machine and it has lots of options to cater to different grind sizes and coffee types.
Knock boxes are one of my most highly recommended accessories. It makes disposing of your grinds so much easier.
If you have a dedicated coffee corner, then a tamping mat is a good idea to keep your space a little cleaner and more streamlined.
If you value aesthetics and variety, then the Smeg cold brew coffee machine is the coffee maker for you. On the other hand, if you're looking for something that caters to a busy morning schedule, you may want to browse your automatic machines and coffee pod machine options; there are plenty of appliances that combine form and function there as well.
