Have you recently acquired a brand-new Ninja Coffee Maker? Then you’re probably looking for the best Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker recipes, right?! No worries, we’ve got you covered!
Why Drink Ninja Coffee?
Ninja Coffee Maker machines are some of the most popular among coffee enthusiasts nowadays! The devices have four brew styles and six brew sizes, which makes them perfect for a family whose members prefer different types of coffee.
This machine’s key feature is the specialty brew, of course! It is a rich and flavored coffee concentrate used for lattes, cappuccinos, macchiatos, and other Ninja Coffee Bar recipes. Moreover, Ninja Coffee Makers can prepare iced coffees! Read our article and find out The Difference: Iced Macchiato vs. Iced Latte.
How to Use the Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker
Ok, your coffee machine arrived safely. But how to use Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker? Let’s find out!
First and foremost, you should remember the coffee maker’s parts:
- Showerhead
- Integrated frother
- Frother whisk
- Control panel
- Swinging brew basket
- Single-serve cup platform
- Flip-top water reservoir lid
- Ninja smart scoop
- Removable water reservoir
- Removable filter holder
- Permanent filter
- Ninja glass carriage
- Brew-through lid
- Intelligent warming plate.
If you’re using your machine for the first time, you should run two Full Carafe brew cycles with water. To do this, fill the water reservoir, place the carafe under the brew basket, and choose the Full Carafe and Classic Brew options. Do this twice, and then you’re all set for your first delicious Ninja Coffee Maker specialty brew!
To prepare your coffee, you must fill the water reservoir to the indicated maximum line. Set the cup platform so your cup fits in, and then place the cup.
Open the brew basket and insert the filter holder. Then, add either a permanent filter or a paper filter. Don’t forget that if you’re using a paper filter, you should first remove the permanent filter. Use the scoop to add the coffee, slide the brew basket back until it clicks, and voilà! You’re ready for your first Ninja coffee!
How Much Coffee Should You Use?
If you’re using the Ninja Smart Scoop, you can follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Please note that these details are for the Ninja CM401 Specialty 10-Cup Coffee Maker.
| Cup/XL Cup | Travel Mug/XL Multi-Serve | Half Carafe | Full Carafe | Specialty (4 oz) (113.4 grams) | |
| Ninja Smart Scoop | 2 to 3 small scoops | 3 to 5 small scoops | 3 to 4 big scoops | 4 to 6 big scoops | 2 big spoons |
| Tablespoons | 2 to 3 tablespoons | 3 to 5 tablespoons | 6 to 8 tablespoons | 8 to 12 tablespoons | 4 tablespoons |
The amount of coffee you’ll get depends on what you plan to prepare. Here are the manufacturer’s approximate brew volumes:
| Cup | XL Cup | Travel Mug | XL Multi-Serve | |
| Classic | 9.5 ounces (280.9 milliliters) | 11.5 ounces (340 milliliters) | 14 ounces (414 milliliters) | 18 ounces (532.3 milliliters) |
| Rich | 8.7 ounces (257.3 milliliters) | 10.3 ounces (304.6 milliliters) | 13.2 ounces (390.4 milliliters) | 16 ounces (473.2 milliliters) |
| Over ice (coffee/filled with ice) | 3.8 ounces / 9.5 ounces (112.4 milliliters/ 280.9 milliliters) | 4.7 ounces / 11.5 ounces (139 milliliters/ 340 milliliters) | 5.8 ounces / 14 ounces (171.5 ml / 414 milliliters) | 7.3 ounces / 18 ounces (215.9 milliliters/ 532.3 milliliters) |
The Specialty brew setting is always 4 ounces (118.3 milliliters).
Please refer to the Ninja Coffee Maker Specialty Brew manual for further instructions and recommendations.
The Best Coffee to Use in Ninja Coffee Bar
As a general rule, whole-bean coffee (with medium-grind size) is always better than pre-ground coffee. You can grind the beans right before preparing your coffee. This will make your beverage more flavorful.
As to what coffee beans you should use – this is definitely up to you, as it directly depends on what flavor and roast you prefer!
A List of Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker Recipes
If your coffee machine is brand new, you’re probably looking for some incredibly delicious Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker recipes.
Below you’ll find Ninja hot and cold brewed system recipes, as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic ones!
Arabic Coffee
This uniquely flavored coffee will definitely impress your guests! You’ll need a tablespoon of ground cardamom and three small ground coffee scoops. Put the mix into the filter, place the coffee cup, and use the Specialty setting to prepare your coffee.
This mix of cardamom and coffee will produce a sweet and strong coffee with a slightly spicy flavor. If you like your coffee very sweet, you can also add sugar afterward.
Origin country: The Middle East
Hot/cold: Hot
Alcoholic/non-alcoholic: Non-alcoholic
Brew setting: Specialty
Brew size: Specialty – 4 ounces (118.3 milliliters)
Caramel Macchiato
If you’ve ever tried the Starbucks caramel macchiato and liked it – well, you’ll now be able to prepare it at home! You’ll need three small ground coffee scoops added into the filter and a tablespoon of caramel syrup added to your coffee mug.
Moreover, you’ll need to heat half a cup of milk and froth it until it gets double-sized. Easy! Place the cup under the brew head and prepare the coffee using the Specialty setting.
Once the machine finishes brewing your coffee, pour the milk, and here you are – enjoying the best caramel macchiato your Ninja brew station can make! Moreover, you can even turn it into a Ninja Coffee bar iced caramel macchiato recipe!
Origin country: Italy (macchiato); caramel macchiato is a Starbucks specialty nowadays.
Hot/cold: Hot
Alcoholic/non-alcoholic: Non-alcoholic
Brew setting: Specialty
Brew size: Specialty – 4 ounces (118.3 milliliters)
Chicory Coffee
Chicory coffee is very popular among coffee lovers who need to lower their caffeine intake. Although coffee professionals will definitely tell the two apart, chicory coffee is still flavorful and provides an interesting coffee-drinking experience.
You can prepare your coffee using only ground chicory or mix three big ground coffee scoops with one ground chicory scoop to make a carafe’s worth of coffee! You can add some milk or sugar, depending on your preferences.
Origin country: Debatable – some sources list Holland as the first country to use chicory in coffee.
Hot/cold: Hot
Alcoholic/non-alcoholic: Non-alcoholic
Brew setting: Classic
Brew size: Carafe – 43 ounces (1.27 liters)
Coffee Lemonade
Some sources state that the coffee lemonade drink originates from Alergia, where people call it Mazagran. Others link it to a Russian drink. In any case, while adding lemon to your coffee sounds odd, you’ll undoubtedly appreciate it in the morning, thanks to its refreshing properties!
Here’s what you should do:
- Add three small scoops of ground coffee
- Add ice to a cup
- Plate the cup under the brew basket
- Use the Over Ice brew setting to prepare your coffee
- Add a cup of lemonade and a slice of lemon to the freshly brewed coffee.
Enjoy!
Origin country: Algeria
Hot/cold: Cold
Alcoholic/non-alcoholic: Non-alcoholic, but you can add alcohol if you want
Brew setting: Over ice
Brew size: Cup – 9.5 ounces (281 milliliters)
Coffee Martini
Coffee martini is extremely popular nowadays among coffee enthusiasts. If you want to spice your evening with a bit of alcohol and enjoy an Over Ice Brew Ninja, you can definitely add a coffee martini to your Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker recipes!
The following recipe is for four coffee martinis. You’ll need two big scoops of ground coffee in the filter. In the meantime, place an ice-filled cocktail shaker below the brew basket. Use the Travel Mug size and the Over Ice setting to brew the coffee. Afterward, you’ll need one-fourth cup of vodka for the coffee.
Origin country: Debatable; some claim it originated in the UK.
Hot/cold: Cold
Alcoholic/non-alcoholic: Alcoholic
Brew setting: Over ice
Brew size: Travel Mug – 14 ounces (414 milliliters)
Coffee Old Fashioned
This Coffee Old Fashioned cocktail consists of sugar, bitters, water, whiskey (usually bourbon or rye), an orange slice, and a cocktail cherry. People have adapted this cocktail so that it fits any coffee lover! Here’s what you’ll need:
- A cocktail shaker and ice
- Two big scoops of ground coffee
- Three ounces of bourbon
- A tablespoon of creme de cacao
- A tablespoon of sugar
- A dash or two of orange bitters.
Pour the coffee into the filter, put the shaker under the brew basket, and use the Travel Mug size and the Over Ice setting to brew the coffee. Once it’s finished, add the bourbon, the creme de cacao, the sugar, and the orange bitters, then shake the mixture. It will suffice for two glasses.
Origin country: Louisville, Kentucky, USA (cocktail origin)
Hot/cold: Cold
Alcoholic/non-alcoholic: Alcoholic
Brew setting: Over Ice
Brew size: Travel Mug – 14 ounces (414 milliliters)
Flat White
A flat white is basically a latte, but with less microfoam and smaller in volume. In short, you’ll be drinking a beverage with more coffee and less milk. You’ll need two big ground coffee scoops and a coffee mug to prepare it. While the machine is brewing your coffee, you can heat half a cup of milk and froth it.
Once the machine pours the coffee, add the heated milk into the cup using a spoon to hold the microfoam. You can add the foam when you finish adding the milk.
Origin country: Debatable; Australia or New Zealand
Hot/cold: Hot
Alcoholic/non-alcoholic: Non-alcoholic
Brew setting: Specialty
Brew size: Specialty – 4 ounces (118.3 milliliters)
Irish Coffee
You can now prepare your own famous Irish coffee with your Ninja brew station! Here’s what you’ll need:
- Two big scoops of ground coffee
- Whip cream mixed with a splash of vanilla and a teaspoon of sugar
- 1.5 ounces of Irish whiskey
- 2 teaspoons of brown sugar.
After placing the cup (to which you’ve already added the Irish whiskey and the brown sugar) beneath the brew basket, add the coffee into the filter, and choose the Cafe Forte setting.
If your Ninja has finished preparing the best Irish coffee in town, add the whipped cream mixed with sugar and vanilla. That’s it! You can now enjoy your favorite drink!
Origin country: Ireland
Hot/cold: Hot
Alcoholic/non-alcoholic: Alcoholic
Brew setting: Cafe Forte
Brew size: Cafe Forte – 8 ounces (237 milliliters)
Iced Dirty Chai
Chai is a mix of several Indian spices. To prepare your iced dirty chai, you’ll need two big scoops of ground coffee, ice, and half a cup of cold chai. Using the Specialty setting, brew your coffee, and savor it alongside a good book or a movie!
Origin country: Recipe origin unknown; the preparation of the spiced chai originates in India.
Hot/cold: Cold
Alcoholic/non-alcoholic: Non-alcoholic
Brew setting: Specialty
Brew size: Specialty – 4 ounces (118.3 milliliters)
Iced Vanilla Latte
Being able to prepare your own iced vanilla latte – that’s probably every coffee lover’s dream! You’ll need to froth ¾ cup of milk, two vanilla syrup tablespoons added into an ice-filled cup, and two big scoops of ground coffee.
Add the coffee into the filter, and use the Specialty setting to get the machine to finish one of the best Ninja coffee recipes! Once the coffee maker gets the beverage done, add the milk and share this flavorful beverage with your friends!
Origin country: Debatable; some claim it comes from Italy, while others say it originates from the United States.
Hot/cold: Cold
Alcoholic/non-alcoholic: Non-alcoholic
Brew setting: Specialty
Brew size: Specialty – 4 ounces (118.3 milliliters)
Mexican Spiced Coffee
We surely know there are people out there who like everything spicy! Coffee shouldn’t be an exception! Get your Ninja brew station, and you’ll be able to make a Mexican spiced coffee at home! Make sure to buy the following:
- Ground coffee
- Cinnamon
- Chili powder
- Cayenne pepper (if you want the coffee to be extra spicy)
- Whipped heavy cream (but not necessarily)
- Sugar.
You’ll have to mix a teaspoon of cinnamon, half a teaspoon of chili powder, three big scoops of ground coffee, and if you want to, a pinch of cayenne pepper. Add the mixture to the filter and use the carafe for coffee brewing. A Mexican spiced coffee requires the Rich Brew setting.
Origin country: Mexico
Hot/cold: Hot
Alcoholic/non-alcoholic: Non-alcoholic
Brew setting: Rich Brew
Brew size: Half-carafe – 28 ounces (828 milliliters)
Milk and Honey Coffee
Besides being a favorite among coffee lovers, needless to say, it’s also tasty and beneficial! To enjoy this drink after breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you’ll need two big scoops of ground coffee and ¼ cup of milk mixed with a tablespoon of honey and a bit of cinnamon or nutmeg (if you’re a fan of their flavors).
While the machine brews your coffee, you can heat the milk and honey mixture in the microwave. Froth it and pour it into your coffee. Here it is – the perfect autumn drink!
Origin country: Unknown
Hot/cold: Hot
Alcoholic/non-alcoholic: Non-alcoholic
Brew setting: Cafe Forte
Brew size: Cafe Forte – 8 ounces (236.6 milliliters)
Mocha Latte
Are you a fan of sweet drinks? No worries, as we’ve got the perfect sweet Ninja latte recipe! In fact, it’s not a latte; it’s a mocha latte, meaning you’ll add chocolate syrup to your beverage!
Here’s how to prepare it:
- Add two big scoops of coffee to the filter
- Add two teaspoons of chocolate syrup to your cup
- Place it under the brew basket
- Ask the machine to help with brewing the coffee by clicking on the Specialty setting
- Heat ¾ cup of milk and froth it
- Add the milk to the brewed coffee
- If you need some extra sweetness, you can add some chocolate chips, too.
Origin country: Mocha caffè origin – Italy
Hot/cold: Hot
Alcoholic/non-alcoholic: Non-alcoholic
Brew setting: Specialty
Brew size: Specialty – 4 ounces (118.3 milliliters)
Pumpkin Spice Latte
Is it autumn yet?! If so, it’s time for a Pumpkin Spice Latte – probably the most popular fall drink! So how to use the Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker to prepare this beverage? Easy!
Equip yourself with two big scoops of coffee, half a cup of milk, ¼ teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice, and a tablespoon of brown sugar. Add the coffee into the filter and brew it by selecting the Specialty setting. Mix the other ingredients into another cup, heat the mixture, then froth it.
When the machine finishes brewing the coffee, pour the milk and add a bit of whipped cream and cinnamon if you like the ingredient.
Origin country: Developed by Starbucks; first tested in Washington, D.C. and Vancouver
Hot/cold: Hot
Alcoholic/non-alcoholic: Non-alcoholic
Brew setting: Specialty
Brew size: Specialty – 4 ounces (118.3 milliliters)
Vietnamese Coffee
Are you an espresso fan? If so, Vietnamese coffee is definitely your choice! It’s strong, sweet, and flavorful! Moreover, you’ll find it super easy to prepare! You’ll need two big scoops of coffee, a tablespoon of condensed milk added to your cup, and the Cafe Forte setting.
Besides being extremely tasty, this coffee features incredibly layered aesthetics!
Origin country: Vietnam
Hot/cold: Hot
Alcoholic/non-alcoholic: Non-alcoholic
Brew setting: Cafe Forte
Brew size: Cafe Forte – 8 ounces (236.6 milliliters)
In Conclusion…
Coffee enthusiasts will certainly love having their own Ninja brew station to savor the best Ninja coffee recipes! While it may be more challenging to maintain and use than a pod coffee machine, the results are totally worth the extra effort!
We’re sure you’ve added at least one of the coffees in our guide to your recipes list! And if you’re willing to try something new, you can always mix the ingredients. Who knows?! Maybe you’ll invent the next great coffee recipe!