Disclaimer: We received the Bambino Plus Espresso Machine from Breville in exchange for an honest review! All opinions expressed are 100% my own!
As a busy mom of 2 girls with 3 businesses, life is busy! I’m wearing all the hats and doing all the things thus coffee is life! Let me tell you, my Bambino Plus from Breville changed the way I start my mornings! In addition to my busy schedule, I am also training for the Vancouver Sun Run for my 3rd year as a sponsored runner.
This year, as I mentally wrapped my mind around running the 3rd year, I knew nutrition needed to be a focus so I decided to cut out refined sugar during my training to see how much of a difference it might make. Let me tell you, you never know how bad your coffee is until you stop adding sugar to it!
I am often asked how I do all the things, be all the places and wear all the hats; routine is essential for my success. Since becoming a mother, I learned that I truly am a creature of habit as are my children! My morning coffee is a huge part of the day. The girls know before Mommy does anything, she has a glass of water and a coffee but taking sugar out of coffee took a bit of enjoyment out of my love for my morning coffee.
While cutting out sugar the first time, I learned the difference a quality coffee makes which includes the machine that makes the coffee. Something about an espresso just seems so much more productive in my day! There are no coffee’s laying around for me to forget about it and then microwaves 3 times over.
When you love a good espresso, you realize how expensive that love can be if you’re hitting up coffee shops to get your caffeine fix. Maybe we should look at making the investment into an espresso machine?
What did I learn about the Bambino Plus & Other Espresso Machines?
There are a lot of options out there. This is probably the most difficult part. They come in different sizes and all are capable of different things. Some only make one cup at a time and some are most definitely more expensive than others. The options can be overwhelming, so I suggest really narrowing down exactly what you’re looking for in an espresso machine before diving into your research.
One of the things that I loved about the Bambino from Breville is that it’s extremely user-friendly and compact. With a 3 second heat up time and precise espresso extraction, there are no more long waits in a lineup for a quality coffee or latte, it’s right at your fingertips in your own home! The Bambino Plus delivers a barista-quality performance using a 54mm portafilter with 19 grams for full flavor and an automatic steam wand for milk texturing.
I knew when looking into espresso machines, that we would want something very straight forward. Nothing over the top but certainly equipt with all the necessary gadgets to make a mean cup of espresso and perhaps a latte! The Bambino Plus is so user-friendly that even my 10-year-old has figured out how to use it to make Hot Chocolate for both her and her sister.
I really delved deep into the specifics of which espresso machine was going to be the newest member of our kitchen. The Bambino Plus ThermoJet heating system allows it to achieve the optimum extraction temperature in just 3 seconds. This means amazing coffee even quicker than my regular coffee maker!
Breville truly has thought of everything! Clearly, they take coffee as seriously as I do! The Bambino plus has low-pressure pre-infusion which gradually increases pressure to ensure all the flavors of the coffee are drawn out evenly.
What did I love the most? The machine itself is not big and bulky, it fits perfectly on our counter top and doesn’t take up too much space! It’s so user-friendly that my oldest can use it and can set the temperature so Zoe’s hot chocolate is a little bit cooler in temperature than hers. Thanks to The Bambino Plus, I enjoy a quality espresso at home and after attending a barista master class, I can even create artisan lattes such as a Lavender Latte. No more long waits for overpriced coffees at the coffee shop.
Make your own Lavender Latte using my recipe below!
To make a delicious Lavender Latte, simply add 2 TBSP of my refined sugar-free lavender syrup to your preferred mug. Follow the directions on the Bambino Plus to make your own Espresso shot and add to lavender syrup. Texturize the milk to your liking and pour into your mug with espresso and lavender syrup. I use a spoon to keep the foam in the provided stainless steel milk jug until all the milk is added and then top with the foam. Garnish with dried lavender flowers if desired! Don’t have lavender syrup, follow my recipe below to make your own. Be sure to store in the fridge!
- 1/2 cup Dried Lavender
- 1/2 cup Honey
- 1 Cup Water
Add 1 cup water and 1/2 cup lavender to a saucepan, bring to a boil. Simmer for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to steep for 20 minutes. Strain out flowers and discard. In a clean saucepan, add ½ honey. Bring to a boil, stirring to combine honey & water. Simmer for 3-4 minutes, then stir in lavender liquid. Whisk until fully combined, remove from heat and allow to cool. Transfer to storage container and keep in the fridge.
PIN IT FOR LATER
I like a good latte, or plain ole espresso with frothed milk!
Crazy for Hazelnut Lattes
A latte!
My favourite espresso based drink is an Americano with steamed milk.
I’m a simple person. I love a good cappuccino, and would totally indulge in one every morning if I won this.
I like a bullet proof coffee with whip cream on top
I like mocha.. latte is welcome too
My most fave is the Espresso Macchiato. You have no idea how giddy happy I would be to own this. Yup 🙂
Love lattes
I love my good old lattes but so wanting to try a lavender espresso!
Hmmn, I like a nice iced coffee, if that counts.
I love a nice vanilla latte! 😉
I LOVE Lattes and I would LOVE to win this beautiful machine!! It would be a DREAM come true and thanks a million for the chance! I would be ecstatic to win and make my own drinks like a barista-lol!! I have always wanted a machine like this but never could afford it!!
So hard to choose a fave, coffee is life! I love a good latte, mocha or cappuccino
I love a good vanilla latte! I’d love to be able to make it myself!
I just like a plain shot of espresso.
mocha is always my go to
I love a cappuccino!
MMMM Lattes!!!
A latte!
I am in LOOOVE with a good vanilla or chai latte but it really does add up when you’re heading out to starbucks to get one before work everyday. This machine would be an absolute life saver for me!
I love all coffee, especially strong lattes!
my fave espresso based drink is a latte!
My favorite would be an espresso with one shot of brown sugar.
Mmmm, Chai latte ! ?
I like an americano with steamed milk
My favourite espresso based drink is definitely a latte .
I love vanilla latte
Definitely my favourite is a latte, I used to get the best one when living in Germany at an Italian restaurant – delicious. 🙂
Cappuccino
Lattes are my fave!
I enjoy a French Vanilla latte!
Cappuccino is my favorite
My favourite is a good Cappuccino.
I love vanilla latte’s, they are my favorite!
My favorite is definitely a mocha latte.
I can always drink an espresso with steamed milk!
Never heard of Lavendar Syrup. A must try. Thanks
I love lattes- Black or sometimes with a shot of caramel!
My fave espresso based drink is a latte
I love cappuccino
Cappuccino!
My favourite is the Espresso Macchiato
I love a matcha latte!
I love a nice cappuccino.
I love anything chai or chocolate!
I honestly just love plain old Espresso! Nothing better than that!
All the lattes. Matcha, Espresso, Vanilla, Hazelnut; all of them.
I love an espresso at least once a week.
latte is my favourite
well, other than all of them – I love iced lattes the most !
I love a plain old espresso
My favourite espresso based drink is a Caffe Latte!
Love Cappuccinos (along with black coffee !!)
Well this looks like the perfect way to start the day ❤️❤️
I love mochas!
Love a good vanilla latte!
I do enjoy hazelnut with stevia.
Lavender latte ?
I love a good cappuccino
My favourite espresso based drink is Toasted White Chocolate Mocha.
I really like a great mocha.
Where do we enter the newsletter bonus code?
In the Rafflecopter widget where you enter, it’ll be one of the entries
A cappuccino with steamed milk and cocoa powder on top!
I love Cappuccino’s and mocha lattes!!
I love a double shot of dark rich espresso. Perfection when done well.
Caramel Macchiatos☕️☕️☕️
I also enjoy plain espresso.
Thanks! It wasn’t there yet when I checked earlier. 😉
Americano Expresso:))
Lattes are my favorite!
Caramel Macchiato lattes are my favourite!
I love an almond milk latte with a splash of hazelnut syrup!
I like Cappuccinos.
Id love to make a caramel latte!
I love a good latte!
definitely a vanilla latte
I love lattes. I wish I wasn’t allergic to lavender because your recipe sounds delicious!
I love lattes!
Any latte flavour will do for me – I do need a bit of milk and honey in my drinks. Intriqued about the lavender syrup – going to give it a shot.
This would be a toy for my husband. He enjoys an Americano.
Toffeenut Latte Please!!!
I love a good Latte , thanks for the chance !!
Wonderful prize – unemployed mother would certainly take it as a great surprise on her birthday – just in time! I wanna win.
Still looking for the secret word. LOL
It was sent out in the March 19th newsletter!
Nice prize!
Lattes and Mochas are my favourites! 🙂
Vanilla Latte is my favourite.
I love my latte
Hazelnut Lattes are my favorite espresso based beverages!
I like cappucinos the most. It’s great in the morning.
My favourite espresso based drink is a cappuccino.
A vanilla latte
I love cappuccinos
Espresso black
I love my Cappuccinos!
My favourite is a sweetened cappuccino.
I love a soy chai latte
2 espresso shots in a mug is my favourite
I love a good soy latte!
Cappuccino is my favourite
I love lattes!
OMG I live for coffee!!! I love cappuccinos!!!
Love espresso…bring abkecyo make it at home round be life changing. ☕️
I love a maple latte!
My favourite is Vanilla Latte.
I love a good French vanilla latte! 🙂
i just drink an Americano black, i appreciate the beans
I love making lattes at home!!! Steamed milk makes all the difference for a good cup of coffee. I’ll have to try your lavender latte – it sounds amazing!
straight espresso
Expresso Macchiato for me!
Coconut Banana Latte with double espresso (Timbertrain) ?
I love lattes! This would make my busy mornings so much more enjoyable!
I love a good espresso. I found a sweet little coffee shop in Sunpeaks village that was amazing. All I asked for was a little milk and it was the best espresso I’ve ever had. I use nespresso at home and really enjoy their coffee. Definitely beats the Keurig coffee we were drinking before