Iced Coffee At Home | Ninja Pods & Grounds Single-Serve Coffee Maker Review

The Ninja Pods & Grounds machine

Coffee lovers know the struggle — sometimes you want the convenience of a pod, other times you crave the bold flavor of freshly ground beans. The Ninja Pods & Grounds machine promises the best of both worlds. Today, I’m testing it out by making one of my favorite café-style drinks at home: a Brown Sugar Shaken Iced Coffee.

The machine itself is sleek and compact, with a modern design that fits nicely on my counter. What immediately stood out is the dual functionality — it works with both coffee pods/cups and fresh grounds, meaning I don’t have to choose between convenience and customization.

Brewing Options

The controls are straightforward, with brew size options ranging from a small cup to a full travel mug. There’s also an Over Ice function, which I’ll be using the most.

Brown Sugar Shaken Iced Coffee Recipe

Ingredients

2 shots of brewed coffee (using the Ninja, strong/over-ice brew)

2 tbsp brown sugar

1 tbsp hot water

Ice

¼ cup milk

Ingredients for the Brown Sugar Shaken Coffee

Steps

1. **Make the brown sugar syrup**: Dissolve brown sugar in hot water until it forms a rich syrup.

2. **Brew the coffee**: I used the *Over Ice* setting with fresh grounds — strong, smooth, and ready to pour over ice without tasting watered down.

3. **Shake it up**: Add the coffee, brown sugar syrup, and ice into a mason jar or shaker. Shake until frothy.

4. **Finish**: Pour into a glass over fresh ice and top with milk.

The result? A smooth, sweet, café-style iced coffee with a frothy top — all made in under 10 minutes.

Final Thoughts

The Ninja Pods & Grounds machine delivers on flexibility and flavor. It’s perfect for:

* Busy mornings when pods are the only option.

* Weekend coffee rituals when I want fresh-ground richness.

* Creative café-style drinks like this one, where the Over Ice function really shines.

* Great Christmas gift idea for a coffee lover

Finished Product

My Rating: 9/10 – It’s versatile, easy to use, and makes a strong, balanced iced coffee. The only con? You’ll find yourself drinking more coffee than usual because it’s so simple to brew.