There’s something truly special about a glass of smooth, rich cold brew coffee. Unlike iced coffee, which is often just hot coffee poured over ice, cold brew is steeped for hours in cold water, resulting in a concentrate that’s less acidic and naturally sweeter. If you’re the proud owner of a Ninja Coffee Bar, you might be wondering if you can use this versatile machine to create this café favorite at home. The good news is, you absolutely can, and it’s surprisingly simple.
While the Ninja Coffee Bar is famous for its one-touch hot brewing, its manual functions make it a perfect tool for crafting custom coffee drinks. Learning how to make cold brew in a Ninja Coffee Bar opens up a world of refreshing possibilities. This guide will walk you through the straightforward process, turning your countertop appliance into a cold brew powerhouse without the need for any extra, fancy equipment.
The Simple Steps for How To Make Cold Brew In A Ninja Coffee Bar
The process is less about the machine’s automated cycles and more about using its built-in basket as your steeping vessel. You won’t be pressing any of the main brew buttons for this method. Instead, you’re using the Coffee Bar’s components in a clever, manual way to create a perfect cold brew concentrate.
First, you’ll need to gather your supplies: your Ninja Coffee Bar, coarsely ground coffee beans, and cold, filtered water. A coarse grind is non-negotiable here; a fine grind will slip through the basket and leave you with a muddy, over-extracted brew. Use about one cup of coarsely ground coffee for every four cups of cold water. This ratio creates a strong concentrate that is meant to be diluted later with water or milk.
Place the empty carafe on your counter. Insert the brew basket with a paper filter or a permanent gold-tone filter into its position over the carafe. Add your coarsely ground coffee directly into the basket. Now, slowly pour the cold, filtered water over the coffee grounds, ensuring all the grounds are fully saturated. You are essentially creating a giant coffee “toddy” right in your Ninja’s basket.
Once all the water is added, simply walk away. Cover the top of the basket loosely with plastic wrap or a clean towel to prevent any dust from getting in. Now, the waiting game begins. Let the coffee steep at room temperature for anywhere from 12 to 24 hours. A longer steep will yield a stronger, more robust concentrate. After the steeping time is complete, the final step is to remove the brew basket. The coffee will automatically drain into the carafe, leaving you with a perfectly clean batch of cold brew concentrate.
Why Your Ninja Coffee Bar is a Cold Brew Secret Weapon
You might already love your Ninja for its speed and convenience with hot coffee, but its design is uniquely suited for cold brew. The integrated brew basket and filter system handle the messy part of the process for you. When the steeping is done, you simply lift the basket out, and the machine naturally separates the grounds from the liquid, giving you a smooth, grit-free concentrate with zero fuss.
This method is also incredibly space-efficient. Instead of having a separate large jar or a specialized cold brew maker taking up space in your fridge, you’re utilizing an appliance you already own and use daily. The carafe is designed to hold the perfect amount, and because it has a lid, it makes storage simple and tidy. It’s a brilliant way to maximize the functionality of your kitchen tools.
Tips for the Perfect Ninja-Made Cold Brew
To elevate your cold brew from good to exceptional, a few small adjustments can make a world of difference. It all starts with the beans. Since cold brew highlights the inherent flavors of the coffee without the high acidity of hot brewing, choosing a bean you love is key. A medium or dark roast often works beautifully, offering chocolatey or nutty notes that shine in the final glass.
When it comes to serving, remember that what you have in the carafe is a concentrate. It’s meant to be diluted. A standard starting point is a 1:1 ratio of concentrate to water, milk, or a milk alternative. However, this is entirely up to your personal taste. Feel free to adjust it to make it stronger or milder. Pour it over a glass full of ice, add your preferred dilutant, and give it a good stir.
For an even smoother result, consider straining the concentrate one more time through a fine-mesh sieve or a cheesecloth after it drains from the basket. This will catch any very fine sediment that might have passed through, ensuring a crystal-clear brew. Your cold brew concentrate will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, making it the perfect make-ahead drink for busy mornings.
Beyond the Basics: Enjoying Your Cold Brew Creation
Your homemade cold brew concentrate is a versatile base for more than just a classic black iced coffee. Get creative with it! Use it as the foundation for creamy, blended coffee drinks. Pour a shot of concentrate over vanilla ice cream for an affogato-style dessert. Or, for a refreshing twist, mix it with tonic water and a slice of orange.
The real beauty of mastering this technique is the freedom it gives you. You control the strength, the flavor, and the sweetness. You can make a large batch at a fraction of the cost of buying it from a coffee shop, and it’s ready and waiting for you whenever you need a cool, caffeinated pick-me-up.
Making cold brew in your Ninja Coffee Bar is a simple, efficient, and rewarding process that unlocks a new dimension of your machine’s capabilities. By using the brew basket as a steeping chamber and letting time do the work, you can consistently produce a smooth, low-acid coffee concentrate that rivals any café offering. With your favorite beans and a little patience, you’re well on your way to enjoying barista-level cold brew from the comfort of your own kitchen all summer long, and beyond.