Spiced Plum and Cardamom Cold Brew

The Spiced Plum and Cardamom Cold Brew is a sophisticated, non-alcoholic beverage perfect for bridging the gap between seasons. It features a homemade syrup made from ripe plums, fragrant cardamom pods, and other warming spices like cinnamon and star anise. This rich syrup is then combined with smooth cold brew coffee and chilled water, creating a beautifully balanced drink that is both fruity and earthy, sweet and spiced.
Spiced Plum and Cardamom Cold Brew

Preparation

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

This beverage is classified as a modern, alcohol-free coffee drink. It falls into the category of specialty or craft coffee beverages, often found in artisanal coffee shops. It is not considered a classic cocktail or mocktail, but a unique iced coffee creation.

Serving

Serve this cold, non-alcoholic drink over ice in a tall Collins or Highball glass. The tall glass showcases the drink's rich color and provides ample space for ice to keep it chilled.
Serving size
Approximately 300 ml / 10 oz
Alcohol content
0% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Collins
Glass treatment
None

Backstory

This drink is a product of the modern craft coffee movement, inspired by seasonal ingredients. It likely originated in a specialty coffee shop aiming to create a unique autumnal menu item. The combination of late-summer plums and classic winter spices creates a transitional flavor profile that is comforting yet refreshing, capturing the essence of a crisp autumn day in a glass.
Origin
While there isn't a single point of origin, this type of seasonal craft coffee drink became popular in North American and European coffee culture in the late 2010s. It reflects a trend of using house-made syrups and fresh, seasonal produce to elevate coffee beverages.

Spiced Plum and Cardamom Cold Brew

This drink is primarily known as the Spiced Plum and Cardamom Cold Brew. Alternative names like Plum Cardamom Iced Coffee or Autumn Plum Cold Brew simply describe its key ingredients and seasonal feel. There is no significantly different original name as it's a modern craft coffee creation.
Original name
Spiced Plum and Cardamom Cold Brew
Alternative names
  • Plum Cardamom Iced Coffee
  • Autumn Plum Cold Brew

Characteristics overview

This drink offers a complex flavor profile with fruity plum and warm spices balancing the earthy bitterness of cold brew coffee. Its aroma is rich with coffee and autumnal spices, leading to a smooth, non-carbonated texture and a lingering, clean finish.
Flavor
Fruity, Spiced, Earthy, Sweet, Coffee
Aroma
Coffee, Plum, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Sweet
Taste balance
Sweet, Bitter, Slightly Sour
Aftertaste
Lingering spice, Smooth coffee, Clean
Fizziness
Still
Color appearance
Deep brown, Dark purple hue, Clear
Texture
Smooth, Syrupy, Crisp
Seasonality
Refreshing, Autumnal, Transitional

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is moderately intense, led by fruitiness and a balanced trio of sweetness, bitterness from coffee, and warmth from spices. It is a completely non-alcoholic and still beverage with no creaminess or saltiness.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

The core ingredients are cold brew concentrate, water, and a homemade spiced plum syrup. The syrup requires fresh plums, sugar, water, and whole spices like cardamom and cinnamon.
  • Cold Brew Concentrate90 ml / 3 oz
    A smooth, low-acid cold brew concentrate works best.
  • Spiced Plum Syrup30-45 ml / 1-1.5 oz
    Adjust quantity to your desired sweetness. See instructions for syrup recipe.
  • Cold Water120 ml / 4 oz
    Still, filtered water is recommended.
  • Fresh Plums (for syrup)2 large, pitted and chopped
    Used to make the Spiced Plum Syrup.
  • Sugar (for syrup)200 g / 1 cup
    Brown or demerara sugar adds more depth.
  • Water (for syrup)240 ml / 1 cup
    Used to make the Spiced Plum Syrup.
  • Green Cardamom Pods (for syrup)4 pods, lightly crushed
    Used to make the Spiced Plum Syrup.
  • Cinnamon Stick (for syrup)1 stick
    Used to make the Spiced Plum Syrup.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need a small saucepan and a sieve to prepare the syrup. For assembling the drink, a simple bar spoon is sufficient for stirring.
  • Saucepan: For making the syrup.
  • Fine-mesh sieve: For straining the syrup.
  • Bar spoon: For stirring the final drink.

Instructions

The process involves first creating a spiced plum syrup by simmering plums and spices, then straining and cooling it. The final drink is assembled by combining the syrup, cold brew, and water over ice in a tall glass.
1. First, make the Spiced Plum Syrup. Combine chopped plums, sugar, water, crushed cardamom pods, and a cinnamon stick in a small saucepan.
2. Bring the syrup mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to low and let it simmer for 15 minutes, occasionally mashing the plums with a spoon.
3. Remove the syrup from the heat, let it cool slightly, then strain it through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bottle or jar. Discard the solids. Allow the syrup to cool completely.
4. To assemble the drink, fill a Collins glass with ice cubes.
5. Pour in 30-45 ml (1-1.5 oz) of the cooled Spiced Plum Syrup, depending on your sweetness preference.
6. Add 90 ml (3 oz) of cold brew concentrate, followed by 120 ml (4 oz) of cold water.
7. Gently stir the drink with a bar spoon to combine the ingredients.
8. Garnish with a thin slice of fresh plum and serve immediately.

Garnishing

Garnish with a fresh slice of plum to highlight the key fruit flavor. An optional star anise can be added for an extra aromatic touch.
  • Plum Slice: A thin slice of fresh plum on the rim or floating on top.
  • Star Anise: A single whole star anise placed on top for aroma (optional).

Dietary Information

This drink contains caffeine from the coffee but is naturally vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, egg-free, soy-free, and nut-free. It's a suitable option for many dietary preferences.
✕ Contains alcohol
✕ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This drink is moderately caloric, with most calories coming from the sugar in the homemade syrup. The carbohydrate and sugar content can be adjusted by using less syrup per serving.
Calories
Averagely 110-140 kcal / 460-585 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 28-35 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 25-32 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This drink is perfect as a special afternoon pick-me-up or a sophisticated addition to a weekend brunch. Its warm spice notes also make it a wonderful treat on a cool autumn day. It's an excellent choice when you want something more complex than a standard iced coffee.
  • Afternoon Refreshment
  • Weekend Brunch
  • Cozy Autumn Day
  • Coffee Break Treat

Pairing suggestions

This coffee drink pairs wonderfully with light pastries that complement its fruity and spicy notes. An almond croissant, classic biscotti, or a simple cheese danish would be an excellent accompaniment. Spiced baked goods like oatmeal cookies also match the drink's flavor profile perfectly.
  • Almond Croissant
  • Biscotti
  • Oatmeal Cookies
  • Cheese Danish

The Allure of the Spiced Plum and Cardamom Cold Brew

The Spiced Plum and Cardamom Cold Brew is a creative and delightful non-alcoholic coffee beverage. It stands out by blending the robust flavor of cold brew with a unique, house-made syrup infused with fresh plum and aromatic spices. The result is a balanced, multi-layered drink that is simultaneously refreshing, comforting, and sophisticated. It's a perfect example of modern coffee craft, ideal for anyone looking to enjoy a special seasonal treat without alcohol.

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