We’ll take a Clooney with our Coffee…

Can Celebrities and “Affordable Luxury” win over the American coffee consumer?

We tossed our hat in the ring to star in George’s next Nespresso commercial (can you blame us?) and although we maaaay not be selected over the other 7,200 dreamers, we harbor no hard feelings and in fact, have become enamored of the trend in pod machines which, particularly in Europe, has people queuing up to refill their capsule stock for miles (ahem, kilometers).

Is it Clooney himself that has everyone momentarily panting for their single-serving, home-brewed espresso fix? Or will pod machines have us officially bidding our old-fashioned coffee-clunkers adieu and tossing back espressos like old-hat pétanque players?

This Bloomberg article makes us think that perhaps Americans may not be willing to shed their love of traditionally brewed coffee and the “coffee experience” just yet, but some of the new single-serving machines from LavAzza, Nespresso, and illy are so gorgeous, we might be willing to give espresso a shot.

We’re drawn by the strategy these brands are taking to work their way into the homes of wary consumers who can’t conceive of giving up their bottomless cups of joe. Nespresso has the celebrity angle locked up with the indefatigably charming Clooney, while LavAzza has tapped into the high-fashion market to enhance their brand with a line of luxury lifestyle products.

Those unwilling to jump on the espresso train just yet—fear not! Flavia’s amazing hot beverage machine can handle gourmet coffee, cappuccinos, and organic teas. And with machines priced under $300, all of the top brands are hitting the “affordable luxury” target right on the mark and appear poised to conquer even the most steadfast traditional coffee consumer.