Abstract: In a manually operated hot drink dispensing machine for use with a pre-manufactured throwaway container, in order to use containers of two different sizes, that is, pre-manufactured for percolated and other beverages; a dispensing unit including a cylinder forming a sleeve for the containers during use, an inner cylinder forming two chambers suitable for forming a housing for the corresponding containers, and a water supply head equipped with several ports for hot water and a separate port for cold water. The cover of the containers is provided with two raised annular elements, suitable for forming a chamber communicating with the port for the cold water when a container, inserted into the cylinder, is pressed against the head, so as to permit the introduction into the container of only hot water, and into the container of hot and cold water.