Cardamom Cold Brew Coffee Soda

The Cardamom Cold Brew Coffee Soda is a sophisticated and bubbly coffee mocktail that elevates the smooth, low-acid profile of cold brew with the warm, aromatic spice of cardamom. Topped with sparkling soda water and a hint of citrus from an orange peel garnish, it is a perfectly balanced and invigorating beverage. It offers a unique alternative to typical iced coffee drinks, delivering complexity and refreshment in every sip. This drink is perfect for those seeking a grown-up, non-alcoholic option with a caffeine kick.
Cardamom Cold Brew Coffee Soda

Preparation

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

This beverage is primarily classified as a non-alcoholic coffee drink due to its main ingredient. It also fits perfectly into the modern mocktail category, offering a sophisticated, alcohol-free alternative to a classic cocktail with complex flavors and a sparkling finish.

Serving

Serve this drink cold in a tall Highball or Collins glass filled with ice to maintain its refreshing character. As a non-alcoholic beverage, it can be enjoyed by everyone at any time of day.
Serving size
Approximately 300 ml / 10 oz
Alcohol content
0% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Highball
Glass treatment
None

Backstory

This drink is a modern creation, born from the third-wave coffee movement's love for experimentation and complex flavor profiles in non-alcoholic beverages. It draws inspiration from the popularity of coffee tonics and the traditional pairing of coffee and cardamom in Middle Eastern cultures. Specialty coffee shops began combining these ideas to create refreshing drinks that showcase the quality of their cold brew in a new light.
Origin
As a contemporary recipe, the Cardamom Cold Brew Coffee Soda does not have a single point of origin. It emerged organically from the global specialty coffee scene in the 2010s, with variations appearing in craft coffee shops across North America, Europe, and beyond.

Cardamom Cold Brew Coffee Soda

This drink's name is highly descriptive, clearly stating its core components. Alternative names like "Cardamom Coffee Soda" or "Cold Brew Cardamom Fizz" are simply shorter, more colloquial versions of the full name.
Original name
Cardamom Cold Brew Coffee Soda
Alternative names
  • Cardamom Coffee Soda
  • Sparkling Cardamom Cold Brew
  • Cold Brew Cardamom Fizz

Characteristics overview

This drink boasts a complex aroma of coffee and warm cardamom, with bright citrus notes from the orange garnish. The flavor is a balanced interplay of coffee's gentle bitterness, the syrup's mild sweetness, and the exotic spice of cardamom, all lifted by a crisp, bubbly texture.
Flavor
Coffee, Cardamom, Spicy, Slightly sweet, Citrusy, Bubbly, Refreshing
Aroma
Coffee, Cardamom, Orange zest, Aromatic
Taste balance
Slightly sweet, Slightly bitter, Balanced
Aftertaste
Clean, Lingering spice, Refreshing
Fizziness
Sparkling, Effervescent
Color appearance
Dark brown, Translucent, Bubbly
Texture
Light, Crisp, Bubbly
Seasonality
Refreshing, Summery, All-year

Flavor intensity & Experience

This drink is moderately flavored, with the bitterness of coffee and the aromatic spice of cardamom being the primary notes. It is a non-alcoholic beverage with a high level of carbonation and a low level of sweetness.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

You will need a strong cold brew coffee concentrate, a homemade or store-bought cardamom simple syrup, and chilled soda water. Fresh ice is crucial to keep the drink perfectly chilled.
  • Cold brew concentrate60 ml / 2 oz
    A concentrate provides a strong coffee flavor that is not diluted by other ingredients. You can buy it or make it at home by steeping coarse coffee grounds in cold water for 12-24 hours.
  • Cardamom simple syrup15 ml / 0.5 oz
    To make, gently heat 1 cup of water with 1 cup of sugar and 8-10 lightly crushed green cardamom pods until sugar dissolves. Let it steep for 30 minutes, then strain.
  • Soda water120 ml / 4 oz, or to top
    Use a well-chilled, high-quality soda water or sparkling mineral water for the best bubbles.
  • IceFill the glass
    Large, clear ice cubes will melt slower and dilute the drink less.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

No special equipment is needed; this drink is built directly in the serving glass. A jigger for measuring and a bar spoon for stirring are all you require.
  • Highball glass
  • Bar spoon
  • Jigger or measuring tool

Instructions

This drink is simple to make by building the ingredients directly in an ice-filled glass. Just pour, top with soda, stir gently, and garnish.
1. Fill a highball glass to the top with ice cubes.
2. Pour 60 ml (2 oz) of cold brew concentrate over the ice.
3. Add 15 ml (0.5 oz) of cardamom simple syrup. Adjust to your preferred sweetness.
4. Slowly top the glass with chilled soda water.
5. Gently stir with a bar spoon just enough to combine the ingredients.
6. Take a fresh orange peel, express the oils over the surface of the drink by squeezing it, and then place it in the glass.
7. Serve immediately to enjoy the fizziness.

Garnishing

A fresh orange peel is the perfect garnish, as its citrus oils complement the coffee and cardamom beautifully, adding a bright aromatic layer to the drink.
  • Express an orange peel over the drink and drop it in.

Dietary Information

This drink is naturally vegan, dairy-free, egg-free, gluten-free, and nut-free. However, it is not caffeine-free as its base is coffee.
✕ Contains alcohol
✕ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This is a low-calorie beverage, with its calories and sugar content coming almost entirely from the small amount of simple syrup used.
Calories
Approximately 45 kcal / 188 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 11 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 11 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This versatile drink is perfect for a weekend brunch, serving as a bright and bubbly companion to both sweet and savory dishes. It's an ideal afternoon pick-me-up when you need a refreshing caffeine boost. It also shines as a sophisticated mocktail for social gatherings where non-alcoholic options are appreciated.
  • Brunch
  • Afternoon pick-me-up
  • Summer refreshment
  • Alcohol-free social gathering

Pairing suggestions

This drink pairs beautifully with light pastries, especially those with complementary spices like cardamom buns or cinnamon rolls. It also works well with simple cookies like biscotti or shortbread, and serves as a refreshing counterpoint to savory brunch dishes.
  • Cardamom buns
  • Biscotti or shortbread
  • Croissants
  • Light brunch items

Cardamom Cold Brew Coffee Soda: A Sparkling and Spiced Delight

The Cardamom Cold Brew Coffee Soda is a sophisticated, non-alcoholic coffee beverage that is both refreshing and complex. The combination of smooth cold brew, aromatic cardamom, and crisp soda water creates a unique and invigorating taste experience. It's an easy-to-make drink that feels special, perfect for a warm afternoon, a celebratory brunch, or as an elegant mocktail at any social gathering. The bright citrus aroma from the orange peel garnish provides the perfect finishing touch.

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