A Ninja coffee maker can brew up a lot of different coffees, but can the Ninja Coffee Bar make espresso? Unfortunately, it can't make a real espresso - but it can make a speciality coffee that comes very close.
To get this 'espresso style' speciality coffee it all comes down to ingredients and technique. In this guide we'll show you how to make the next best thing to real espresso quickly, and easily.
Can You Make Espresso With A Ninja Coffee Bar?
No, the Ninja Coffee Bar does not technically make espresso.
This is because an espresso is a unique type of coffee and your regular coffee machine or drip coffee makers can't make an authentic espresso. To make an espresso, you need the pressurized brewing mechanism which is found in espresso machines.
However, Ninja coffee makers can produce a speciality coffee which is very close to an espresso.
A Ninja coffee maker can produce a lot of different coffee and it comes with six brew settings:
- Classic Brew
- Rich Brew
- Over Ice Brew
- Cold Brew
- Cafe Forte
- Specialty Brew
It's the speciality brew which creates a very concentrated coffee with higher caffeine content and flavor by adjusting the proportion of water to ground coffee. While it's not considered an espresso shot, it's an espresso like coffee concentrate which mimics the taste very closely. You can use this brew as the base of any espresso drink.
The Ninja Hot and Cold coffee System is a Ninja specialty coffee maker and comes with a specialty setting which allows a coffee enthusiast to make a delicious espresso-like drink.
Can You Use Ground Espresso In a Ninja Coffee Bar?
Yes, you can use your favorite ground espresso or coffee blend in the Ninja Coffee Bar.
A Ninja speciality coffee maker is able to take different types of ground coffee for a variety of different coffee recipes. This includes espresso grounds.
Espresso beans are roasted for a more extended period, making them darker in color and bolder in flavor. They are typically very finely ground coffee beans, which allows them to give you a rich coffee concentrate when you brew with them.
If you choose to use regular coffee, look out for a dark roast, as this will deliver a deeper, but balanced coffee flavor which is similar to espresso beans.
If you use the right coffee or espresso beans then you can use the Ninja coffee machine to create a speciality coffee that tastes just like an espresso.
How Does The Speciality Coffee Setting Work?
The Ninja coffee maker allows you to brew speciality coffee in different volumes. You can select the size which suits your needs - a single cup, travel mug, half carafe, and a full carafe. With the built-in hot plate, you can keep your coffee hot for longer.
The specialty brew setting alters the ratio of water to ground coffee to deliver a concentrated coffee brew. While this isn't a real espresso, it's the perfect for the base of any authentic espresso coffee.
In addition, the Ninja coffee maker has a hand creamer on the side to help you make a frothy cream or milk for macchiatos, lattes, and cappuccinos, so it tastes even more like a real espresso drink.
How To Make A Delicious Espresso With A Ninja Coffee Bar? (Step By Step Guide)
What is an espresso? An espresso is a brewing method that delivers a very concentrated shot of coffee made by pressurized hot water through ground espresso coffee. This unique method typically requires an espresso machine.
If you're using a Ninja coffee maker then you really need to use espresso beans rather than regular coffee beans so that your coffee has a deep, bold flavor.
The method for making an espresso style shot in a Ninja coffee maker is pretty straight forward, and all you'll need is the espresso grounds and hot water. The specialty coffee setting will then do the rest of the work.
If you want to use your Ninja coffee maker to produce a milk-based espresso coffee then you'll need milk (or cream), a microwaveable bowl or pot, and a microwave or stovetop too.
Here are the simple, step-by-step instructions for making espresso with a Ninja coffee maker:
- 1Place preferred coffee beans into the Ninja Coffee maker. For a bold flavor, it is recommended that you use espresso beans. But regular coffee grounds will also work.
- 2If required, warm up your milk in the microwave or over a stovetop. The amount of milk you use depends on your cup size. Fill at least two-thirds of your cup size for milk-based drinks such as a latte.
- 3Using the Ninja coffee makers hand creamer, froth your milk till you have a thick layer of foam. The foamed milk is for the top layer of your coffee.
- 4Select your brew type on the coffee maker. For a more concentrated brew to mimic an espresso shot, select Specialty coffee option. Start the brew.
- 5Once the Ninja specialty coffee maker has finished, pour your coffee into a cup.
- 6(Optional) If you would like a flavored coffee, like caramel or hazelnut, add flavored syrups or sauces at this step. Otherwise, move on to step 7.
- 7Pour your milk into the coffee, filling it up to two-thirds of the cup.
- 8When the cup is full, top with foamed milk. For experienced baristas, go ahead and finish off with latte art.
Want a cold brew espresso shot from your specialty coffee maker? No problem. Just follow the steps above and then pour the coffee over ice to cool it down.
What Other Drinks Can You Make With The Ninja Coffee Bar?
It is easy to get stuck making the same coffee every morning, especially if you have a standard drip coffee maker or regular espresso machines. However, with the help of the Ninja Coffee Bar, you can easily mix up your coffee routine.
This specialty coffee maker enables users to make a variety of coffees, and with the use of flavored syrups, the possibilities are endless. You can even use the Ninja hot and cold brewed system to make a wide variety of options.
Here are 5 of the best coffees you can make with the specialty coffee maker to spice up your mornings:
Hazelnut Iced Coffee
Caramel Macchiato
Caramel Latte
Pumpkin Spiced Latte
Mocha Frappuccino
Common Ninja Coffee Bar Questions
Does Ninja Coffee Bar steam milk?
The Ninja Coffee Bar does not steam or heat milk. To achieve the best frothing results, it is recommended that you warm up the milk over a stove or in the microwave before using the machine’s built-in frother.
How do you froth milk in a Ninja coffee bar?
One of the Ninja Coffee Bar's best features is its hand creamer. This works to create an extremely frothy base for any espresso drink by whipping cream or milk.
Can the Ninja coffee bar make hot chocolate?
Yes! The Ninja Coffee Bar makes creamy, frothy hot chocolate (or iced chocolate if you prefer), and it is very simple. Place your hot chocolate mixture or cocoa powder into your mug and add water at a push of a button. Then froth your milk or cream, before pouring it over your hot chocolate drink. Add a pinch of salt or some mini marshmallows for a delicious treat!
Can the Ninja dual brew make espresso?
A Ninja Dual Brew is not an espresso machine and does not have the mechanisms to make espresso. However, by brewing a 4oz coffee, you will get a super-rich coffee similar to espresso.
Conclusion
With endless options of coffee makers available in the market, selecting the one that best suits your needs can be daunting. While the Ninja Coffee Bar is convenient and easy to use, it does not make espresso shots.
Nevertheless, the specialty brewing setting will deliver a concentrated coffee blend that can be used as a base for any espresso drink. As delicious as it is, it is not espresso. If you want the authentic taste of espresso, you may want to invest in an espresso machine.
