Mazagran (Algerian Iced Coffee)
Origin: Algeria | Prep: 5 minutes | Brew: 5 minutes
About This Brew
Mazagran is widely considered the world's original iced coffee, traced to the Algerian fortress town of Mazagran, where French Foreign Legion soldiers in the 19th century reportedly cooled their coffee with cold water (and sometimes a little rum) to survive the North African heat. They are said to have brought the idea home to France, seeding Europe's love of cold coffee.
In its classic form, Mazagran is strong black coffee sweetened with sugar, poured over ice and brightened with a squeeze of lemon. It's refreshing, tart and bracing. It later inspired sweetened, sometimes carbonated versions across Portugal and Austria, but the Algerian original remains a simple, elegant antidote to summer heat.
Ingredients
- 2 shots espresso or strong brewed coffee
- 1-2 tsp sugar
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1 glass of ice
- Cold water or soda (optional, to top up)
- Mint or lemon slice to garnish (optional)
Equipment Needed
- Espresso maker or moka pot
- Tall glass
- Spoon
Instructions
- Brew the coffee strong and stir in the sugar while hot to dissolve.
- Stir in the lemon juice.
- Fill a tall glass with ice.
- Pour the sweetened lemon coffee over the ice.
- Top with a little cold water or soda if desired, garnish, and serve.
Tags: Africa · Cold · Easy
