Making Espresso With A Ninja Coffee Bar
Quick answer
- Your Ninja Coffee Bar can make concentrated coffee, similar to espresso.
- It’s not true, high-pressure espresso like a dedicated machine.
- For a closer espresso experience, use the “Specialty Brew” setting.
- Grind your beans fine, but not too fine for your Ninja.
- Experiment with coffee-to-water ratios.
- Clean your machine regularly.
For those looking to create concentrated coffee similar to espresso, the Ninja Coffee Bar is a versatile option. It offers various brew settings to help you achieve your desired strength and flavor.
- BARISTA PLUS TECHNOLOGY: The 19-bar pressure system delivers ultra-flavorful espresso with a silky-smooth crema by brewing at the optimal temperature and pressure.
- COFFEEHOUSE DRINKS AT HOME: The built-in, fold-away frother allows you to create espresso-based cappuccinos, lattes, flat whites, and more.
- BREW SINGLE-SERVE ESPRESSO: Choose your favorite espresso capsule and brew up to 3 styles: Espresso (1.35 oz), Lungo (3.75 oz), and Over Ice (1 oz).
- BREW THROUGH COFFEE GROUNDS: Make a Classic, Rich, or Over Ice brew. Select 9 different sizes ranging from cup, to travel mug, to a full 12-cup carafe.
- VERSATILITY TO ENTERTAIN: Treat your guests to an espresso-based coffeehouse drink or brew a 12-cup carafe for the crowd.
Who this is for
- Folks who want a stronger coffee shot from their Ninja.
- Home baristas looking to dabble in espresso-like drinks without a fancy machine.
- Anyone who enjoys a concentrated coffee base for lattes or americanos.
What to check first
Brewer type and filter type
This is a Ninja Coffee Bar, so we’re talking about their specific drip-style brewers. They use paper filters or a permanent mesh filter. The type you have will affect how fine you can grind.
Water quality and temperature
Good coffee starts with good water. Tap water can have flavors that mess with your brew. Filtered water is usually best. Your Ninja heats the water, but it won’t reach the super-high temps needed for true espresso extraction.
Grind size and coffee freshness
This is a big one. For a concentrated brew, you need a finer grind than for regular drip coffee. Think closer to what you’d use for a Moka pot, but maybe a hair coarser. Freshly ground beans make a world of difference. Old grounds taste flat, no matter what machine you use.
Coffee-to-water ratio
To get that concentrated punch, you’ll need more coffee for less water than a standard brew. A good starting point is often around 1:15 or 1:16 (coffee to water by weight) for regular coffee. For espresso-like shots, you might go down to 1:8 or even 1:5.
To achieve precise coffee-to-water ratios for your concentrated brews, a reliable coffee scale is an invaluable tool. This ensures consistency and helps you fine-tune your recipe for the perfect shot.
- Barista-Level Precision: A 0.1g high-precision sensor with a rapid refresh rate responds instantly to changes in weight, helping you achieve consistent results across espresso, pour over, drip coffee, Chemex, V60, and filter coffee brewing.
- Integrated Brew Timer: A built-in count-up and count-down timer tracks bloom, extraction, and espresso shots. Ideal for dialing in espresso, timing Chemex and V60 pour over recipes, or steeping tea. Auto-shutoff helps preserve battery life between brews.
- Durable Waterproof Silicone Cover: The heat-resistant, dishwasher-safe silicone cover helps protect the coffee scale's spacious 5.25" x 5.25" weighing surface from splashes, spills, and hot equipment. The grooved surface provides added stability and makes cleanup quick and easy.
- Versatile Measurement Options: Quick-tare and 6 unit options make it easy to weigh coffee beans, espresso shots, matcha portions, and more. Choose from g, ml, lb, lb:oz, oz, and fl oz for added flexibility in the kitchen and coffee bar.
- Intuitive Design: A bright dual-color LCD display clearly separates weight and timer readings, while simple controls make daily brewing easy. Includes 3 AAA batteries and is backed by 5 years of coverage, with support from our St. Louis-based team whenever you need a hand.
Cleanliness/descale status
A dirty machine makes dirty coffee. If your Ninja hasn’t been descaled in a while, mineral buildup can affect temperature and flow. Give it a good cleaning. Check your manual for how to descale. It’s usually pretty straightforward.
Step-by-step (brew workflow)
1. Select your beans. Choose fresh, whole bean coffee. Darker roasts often work well for concentrated brews.
- Good: Beans roasted within the last few weeks.
- Mistake: Using stale, pre-ground coffee. You’ll miss out on flavor.
2. Grind your beans. Aim for a fine grind, similar to table salt, but not powder. If you have a burr grinder, start with a setting like “espresso” or “fine drip” and adjust.
- Good: A uniform, fine grind.
- Mistake: Grinding too coarse, leading to weak coffee. Or too fine, clogging the filter and causing overflow.
3. Prepare the filter. If using a paper filter, place it in the brew basket. If using the permanent filter, make sure it’s clean and in place.
- Good: Filter sits snugly in the basket.
- Mistake: Not seating the filter properly, which can cause grounds to escape into your brew.
4. Add your coffee grounds. Use your desired ratio. For a single shot, start with maybe 15-20 grams of coffee for 2-3 oz of water.
- Good: Level grounds in the filter basket.
- Mistake: Overfilling the basket. This can lead to channeling or grounds spilling over.
5. Add water to the reservoir. Use filtered water. Measure carefully based on your desired output.
- Good: Water level matches your intended brew volume.
- Mistake: Guessing the water amount. Inconsistent water leads to inconsistent results.
6. Select the brew setting. Choose “Specialty Brew” or a similar concentrated setting on your Ninja Coffee Bar. If your machine has a strength setting, use the strongest option.
- Good: The machine is set to maximize extraction for a small volume.
- Mistake: Using the regular “Full Carafe” setting. It’s designed for a different brew style and won’t concentrate the coffee.
7. Place your mug or small carafe. Make sure it’s centered under the brew spout.
- Good: The container is stable and positioned correctly.
- Mistake: Using a container that’s too tall or unstable, risking spills.
8. Start the brew cycle. Press the brew button.
- Good: The machine starts heating and dripping.
- Mistake: Forgetting to press the button. It won’t brew itself!
9. Observe the flow. You should see a dark, syrupy stream. It might not be as thick as true espresso, but it should be noticeably concentrated.
- Good: A steady, dark stream for the duration of the brew.
- Mistake: A fast, watery flow, indicating your grind is too coarse or you’re using too little coffee.
10. Finish and serve. Once brewing is complete, carefully remove your mug.
- Good: A rich, aromatic, concentrated coffee.
- Mistake: Letting the machine drip excessively after the main brew, diluting your shot.
Common mistakes (and what happens if you ignore them)
| Mistake | What it causes | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Using pre-ground coffee | Flat, stale flavor. No crema. | Grind fresh beans just before brewing. |
| Grind too coarse | Water flows through too fast, resulting in weak, sour coffee. | Adjust your grinder to a finer setting. |
| Grind too fine | Water struggles to pass, leading to over-extraction (bitter taste) and potential overflow. | Gradually increase grind size until flow is smooth and controlled. |
| Incorrect coffee-to-water ratio | Too weak or too bitter. | Experiment with ratios, aiming for 1:5 to 1:8 for a concentrated shot. |
| Using regular drip brew setting | Produces regular coffee, not concentrated. | Always use the “Specialty Brew” or similar concentrated setting. |
| Not cleaning the machine | Off-flavors, slow brewing, potential clogs. | Descale and clean your Ninja Coffee Bar regularly according to the manual. |
| Using poor quality water | Unpleasant flavors in the final brew. | Use filtered water for a cleaner taste. |
| Not tamping (if applicable) | Uneven extraction, channeling, weak spots in the coffee bed. | While not true espresso, gently leveling the grounds helps. Some models might have a small tamper-like tool. Check your manual. |
| Brewing too large a volume | Dilutes the concentrated flavor. | Brew in small batches for espresso-style shots. |
| Not letting the brew finish | Incomplete extraction, weaker flavor. | Allow the full brew cycle to complete for optimal flavor. |
Decision rules (simple if/then)
- If your coffee tastes sour, then your grind is likely too coarse because the water is passing through too quickly.
- If your coffee tastes bitter, then your grind might be too fine, or you’re using too much coffee for the water.
- If your brew is weak and watery, then you need more coffee grounds or a finer grind.
- If your Ninja is sputtering or brewing slowly, then it probably needs descaling.
- If you want a stronger coffee base for a latte, then use the “Specialty Brew” setting and a finer grind.
- If you’re using the permanent filter, then make sure it’s perfectly clean to avoid metallic tastes.
- If you’re getting coffee grounds in your cup, then your filter might not be seated correctly, or the grind is too fine for the filter type.
- If the brew seems too fast, then your grind is likely too coarse for the amount of coffee used.
- If you want to reduce bitterness, then try a slightly coarser grind or a slightly lower coffee-to-water ratio.
- If you’re aiming for a rich crema (though limited on these machines), then ensure your beans are fresh and your grind is fine.
FAQ
Can I make real espresso with a Ninja Coffee Bar?
No, not true espresso. Real espresso requires high pressure (around 9 bars) that only dedicated espresso machines can provide. Your Ninja makes a concentrated coffee, which is great for many drinks, but it’s not the same.
What’s the difference between Ninja’s concentrated coffee and espresso?
The main difference is pressure. Espresso is forced through finely-ground coffee at high pressure, creating a dense liquid with crema. Ninja’s concentrated brew uses gravity and hot water, similar to drip, but with a higher coffee-to-water ratio.
How fine should I grind my coffee for the Ninja Coffee Bar?
For a concentrated brew, aim for a grind size finer than regular drip coffee, but not as fine as powder. Think the consistency of table salt or slightly finer. Check your grinder’s settings; “fine drip” or a Moka pot setting is a good starting point.
Will I get crema with my Ninja Coffee Bar?
You might get a little bit of foam or a thin layer of oils, but don’t expect the thick, stable crema you see from true espresso machines. The lack of high pressure is the main reason for this.
What kind of coffee beans are best for concentrated brews?
Freshly roasted beans, ideally whole beans that you grind yourself. Darker roasts tend to perform well for concentrated brews, offering bolder flavors that stand up in milk-based drinks.
How do I make an americano with my Ninja Coffee Bar?
Brew a concentrated shot using the “Specialty Brew” setting. Then, add hot water to your desired strength and volume. It’s a simple and delicious way to enjoy a coffee that mimics an americano.
Is it safe to use a very fine grind?
Be cautious. If the grind is too fine, it can clog the filter and basket, leading to overflow and a mess. It can also lead to over-extraction and a bitter taste. Always start finer and adjust up if you encounter issues.
How much coffee should I use for a concentrated shot?
For a single shot (about 2 oz output), start with around 15-20 grams of coffee. This gives you a ratio of roughly 1:5 to 1:8 (coffee to water). You’ll need to experiment to find what tastes best to you.
What this page does NOT cover (and where to go next)
- Dialing in the perfect espresso shot on a commercial espresso machine.
- Advanced latte art techniques.
- Specific recommendations for grinder models or coffee bean brands.
- The science of extraction and why pressure matters so much for espresso.
- Detailed troubleshooting for every possible Ninja Coffee Bar error code.