Spiced Orange & Thyme Cold Brew

The Spiced Orange & Thyme Cold Brew is an elegant and sophisticated alcohol-free beverage perfect for any time of day. It layers the deep, low-acidity flavor of cold brew coffee with a homemade spiced orange and thyme simple syrup. Topped with a splash of sparkling water or tonic, it's a bubbly, herbaceous, and citrusy drink that invigorates the senses. This recipe offers a unique twist on traditional iced coffee, showcasing how well coffee pairs with savory herbs and bright fruit.
Spiced Orange & Thyme Cold Brew

Preparation

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

This beverage is a non-alcoholic coffee drink. It falls into the category of modern, artisanal iced coffees that blend unique flavor profiles. It can also be considered a mocktail due to its complex and crafted nature.

Serving

Served cold over ice in a tall Highball or Collins glass, this is a refreshing, entirely non-alcoholic beverage.
Serving size
Approximately 240-300 ml / 8-10 oz
Alcohol content
0% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Highball or Collins glass
Glass treatment
None

Backstory

This drink doesn't have a long, storied history but is a product of the modern craft coffee movement, or "third-wave coffee." Baristas and coffee enthusiasts began experimenting with culinary ingredients to create unique coffee experiences beyond lattes and cappuccinos. The combination of citrus, herbs, and spices with cold brew reflects a mixology-inspired approach to coffee, treating it as a versatile base for complex, non-alcoholic beverages.
Origin
This style of drink emerged from the specialty coffee scene in North America and Europe in the 2010s. It lacks a single point of origin but is representative of modern coffee culture's focus on innovative flavor pairings.

Spiced Orange & Thyme Cold Brew

This drink is primarily known as Spiced Orange & Thyme Cold Brew. Simpler variations might be called Orange Thyme Cold Brew, while descriptive names like Spiced Citrus & Herb Iced Coffee also capture its essence.
Original name
Spiced Orange & Thyme Cold Brew
Alternative names
  • Orange Thyme Cold Brew
  • Spiced Citrus & Herb Iced Coffee

Characteristics overview

This drink offers a complex aroma of coffee, orange, and herbs, with a balanced flavor profile that is both refreshing and warming. Its smooth texture and clean finish make it a sophisticated and enjoyable beverage.
Flavor
Coffee, citrusy, orange, herbal, thyme, warming spices, slightly sweet
Aroma
Roasted coffee, fresh orange, aromatic thyme, cinnamon, star anise
Taste balance
Balanced, bitter, sweet, slightly sour
Aftertaste
Clean, lingering coffee and spice notes
Fizziness
Lightly sparkling
Color appearance
Dark brown, translucent, garnished with orange and thyme
Texture
Smooth, crisp, light
Seasonality
Refreshing, all-season

Flavor intensity & Experience

This drink has a moderate flavor intensity, characterized by the bitterness of coffee balanced with subtle sweetness, citrus notes, and light carbonation. It is entirely non-alcoholic and not creamy.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

The drink is built on a base of cold brew coffee concentrate and water, flavored with a homemade spiced orange and thyme simple syrup. The syrup itself requires sugar, water, orange peel, fresh thyme, and optional spices like cinnamon and star anise.
  • Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate120 ml / 4 oz
    A strong, smooth concentrate is recommended.
  • Water or Sparkling Water120 ml / 4 oz
    Sparkling water or tonic water adds a pleasant effervescence.
  • Spiced Orange & Thyme Simple Syrup15-30 ml / 0.5-1 oz
    To taste. See instructions for a recipe to make this syrup.
  • Water (for syrup)240 ml / 1 cup
    For making the simple syrup.
  • Granulated Sugar200 g / 1 cup
    For making the simple syrup.
  • Orange Peel2 wide strips
    For making the simple syrup. Avoid the white pith.
  • Fresh Thyme4 sprigs
    For making the simple syrup.
  • Star Anise1 whole(optional)
    Adds a warm, licorice-like note to the syrup.
  • Cinnamon Stick1 small(optional)
    Adds warmth and complexity to the syrup.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need a saucepan and sieve to prepare the simple syrup, and a simple bar spoon to stir the final drink together in the glass.
  • Small saucepan (for making the syrup)
  • Fine-mesh sieve (for straining the syrup)
  • Bar spoon or long spoon (for stirring)

Instructions

The process involves creating a spiced orange and thyme simple syrup first, then combining it with cold brew concentrate and water over ice in a tall glass. The final touches are a gentle stir and an aromatic garnish.
1. First, prepare the Spiced Orange & Thyme Simple Syrup. In a small saucepan, combine the water and sugar and heat over medium, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely.
2. Add the orange peel, thyme sprigs, star anise, and cinnamon stick to the saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low and let it infuse for 10-15 minutes.
3. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the syrup cool completely. Once cool, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bottle or jar. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
4. To assemble the drink, fill a Highball or Collins glass with ice cubes.
5. Pour in the cold brew concentrate and the desired amount of Spiced Orange & Thyme Simple Syrup.
6. Top with cold still water or sparkling water and stir gently with a bar spoon to combine.
7. Garnish with a fresh orange twist and a sprig of thyme before serving.

Garnishing

Garnish with a fresh orange twist or wheel and a sprig of thyme to enhance the drink's citrus and herbal aromatics.
  • Orange twist or wheel, to express oils over the drink and place in the glass
  • Fresh thyme sprig, to add aroma

Dietary Information

This drink contains caffeine but is naturally dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free, and gluten-free, making it suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
✕ Contains alcohol
✕ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This drink is relatively low in calories, with its caloric and sugar content coming almost entirely from the simple syrup used for sweetening.
Calories
Averagely 60-100 kcal / 251-418 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
15-25 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
15-25 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This is a versatile drink perfect for a refreshing morning start, an afternoon pick-me-up, or as a sophisticated non-alcoholic option for brunch and social gatherings.
  • Morning Boost
  • Afternoon Pick-me-up
  • Brunch
  • Social Gathering

Pairing suggestions

It pairs wonderfully with light pastries and baked goods, especially those with citrus or nut flavors like almond biscotti or lemon pound cake. It also complements savory brunch items, cutting through richness with its bright, clean profile.
  • Almond biscotti
  • Orange or lemon pound cake
  • Savory pastries like a cheese danish
  • Brunch foods like avocado toast or quiche

The Aromatic Elegance of Spiced Orange & Thyme Cold Brew

The Spiced Orange & Thyme Cold Brew is a modern, non-alcoholic coffee creation that balances the rich bitterness of cold brew with the bright, aromatic flavors of citrus, herbs, and spice. It's a testament to the versatility of coffee, offering a drinking experience that is both refreshing and complexly layered. Simple to assemble once the signature syrup is prepared, it serves as an excellent daily beverage or a sophisticated choice for entertaining guests who appreciate unique flavor combinations. This drink is a perfect example of mixology principles applied to the world of specialty coffee.

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