Spiced Winter Cold Brew

This drink combines the smooth, low-acidity profile of cold brew coffee with the aromatic warmth of cinnamon, cloves, and a hint of orange. It's a perfect alcohol-free beverage to enjoy during the festive season, but its refreshing nature makes it a delightful treat any time of year. The homemade spiced infusion adds a personal touch and can be adjusted to your preferred level of spice intensity. The result is a uniquely complex and satisfying coffee experience without any alcohol.
Spiced Winter Cold Brew

Preparation

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

This beverage is classified as a non-alcoholic coffee drink. It falls into the modern category of specialty cold brews, which involve infusing coffee with various flavors during the brewing process.

Serving

This is a cold, alcohol-free drink served in a tall Highball or Collins glass over ice. The serving size is moderate, perfect for a refreshing coffee break.
Serving size
Approximately 300 ml / 10 oz
Alcohol content
0% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Highball glass
Glass treatment
None

Backstory

This recipe is a modern take on festive spiced beverages, adapting the cozy flavors of winter for the popular cold brew coffee format. It emerged from the craft coffee scene, where baristas and home brewers experiment with infusing cold brews with unique flavors to create seasonal specialties. It represents a fusion of traditional holiday aromas with contemporary coffee culture.
Origin
This is a contemporary creation originating from the modern craft coffee movement, likely developed in North America or Europe in the 2010s. It doesn't have a single point of origin but rather evolved from the trend of flavored cold brew coffees.

Spiced Winter Cold Brew

The drink is primarily known as Spiced Winter Cold Brew. Alternative names like Festive Spiced Cold Brew or Holiday Spice Cold Brew highlight its seasonal character, making it appealing for festive occasions.
Original name
Spiced Winter Cold Brew
Alternative names
  • Festive Spiced Cold Brew
  • Holiday Spice Cold Brew

Characteristics overview

This drink offers a smooth, light texture with a deep brown color and an aromatic bouquet of coffee and winter spices. The flavor is a balanced blend of rich coffee and warm spices with a clean, lingering finish.
Flavor
Coffee, Cinnamon, Clove, Spiced, Subtly sweet, Hint of orange
Aroma
Aromatic, Coffee, Cinnamon, Warm spices, Citrus
Taste balance
Balanced, Slightly sweet, Low bitterness
Aftertaste
Clean, Smooth, Lingering spice
Fizziness
Still
Color appearance
Deep brown, Translucent, Clear
Texture
Smooth, Light, Watery
Seasonality
Refreshing, Warming, Wintery, All-season

Flavor intensity & Experience

The drink is moderately intense, with a noticeable spiced character complementing the coffee's low bitterness. It is completely alcohol-free, non-carbonated, and can be made creamy by adding milk.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This recipe requires coarsely ground coffee and filtered water as its base. The signature flavor comes from infusing it with whole cinnamon sticks, cloves, and fresh orange peel.
  • Coarsely ground coffee100g / 3.5 oz
    A medium roast works best to complement the spices without being overpowering.
  • Filtered water1 liter / 34 oz
    Use cold or room temperature filtered water for the best flavor.
  • Cinnamon sticks2 sticks
    Adds a sweet, woody warmth.
  • Whole cloves1 teaspoon
    Provide a pungent, aromatic spice note.
  • Orange peel2 wide strips
    Use a vegetable peeler to get strips with minimal white pith to avoid bitterness.
  • Milk or creamTo taste(optional)
    Whole milk, oat milk, or heavy cream work well to add creaminess.
  • SweetenerTo taste(optional)
    Simple syrup, maple syrup, or brown sugar syrup are excellent choices.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You'll need a large jar for brewing the coffee and a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth for straining the concentrate. No special bar tools like shakers are required.
  • Large jar or pitcher for steeping the coffee.
  • Fine-mesh sieve, cheesecloth, or coffee filter for straining.
  • Long spoon for stirring.

Instructions

The process involves steeping coffee and spices in cold water for 12-18 hours, then straining to create a concentrate. The final drink is assembled by diluting the concentrate with water or milk over ice.
1. In a large jar or pitcher, combine the coarsely ground coffee, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and orange peel strips.
2. Pour the cold filtered water over the ingredients and stir gently with a long spoon to ensure all the coffee grounds are saturated.
3. Cover the jar and let it steep at room temperature for 12 to 18 hours. Avoid steeping longer to prevent bitterness.
4. Slowly strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth or a large coffee filter into a clean bottle or jar. This is your concentrate.
5. To serve, fill a highball glass with ice cubes.
6. Pour in 1 part spiced cold brew concentrate and 1 to 2 parts cold water or milk of your choice, depending on your desired strength.
7. Add sweetener to taste, if using, and stir well to combine.
8. Garnish with a fresh cinnamon stick and an orange peel twist before serving.

Garnishing

Garnish with a whole cinnamon stick and a fresh orange peel twist. The twist adds a bright citrus aroma that complements the warm spices in the coffee.
  • Cinnamon stick for an aromatic and visual enhancement.
  • Orange peel twist to express citrus oils over the drink.

Dietary Information

This drink contains caffeine but is naturally free from alcohol, dairy, eggs, soy, nuts, and gluten. It is suitable for both vegan and vegetarian diets when prepared without dairy milk.
✕ Contains alcohol
✕ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This drink is very low in calories, carbohydrates, and sugar when served black. Adding milk and sweeteners will increase these values accordingly.
Calories
Approximately 5-15 kcal / 21-63 kJ (without milk or sugar)
Calories level
Carbohydrates
1-3g (without milk or sugar)
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
0-2g (without added sweetener)
Sugar level

Occasions

Perfect for a festive brunch, a cozy morning, or as a sophisticated afternoon pick-me-up. Its non-alcoholic nature makes it an excellent choice for holiday gatherings where guests may prefer a special drink without alcohol.
  • Brunch
  • Afternoon pick-me-up
  • Festive gathering
  • Cozy morning

Pairing suggestions

This spiced cold brew pairs beautifully with holiday treats and baked goods. Its spiced notes complement gingerbread, biscotti, and cinnamon rolls. The rich coffee flavor also stands up well to the bitterness of dark chocolate.
  • Gingerbread cookies
  • Biscotti
  • Cinnamon rolls or coffee cake
  • Dark chocolate

Spiced Winter Cold Brew: A Festive Infusion

Spiced Winter Cold Brew is an aromatic, alcohol-free coffee drink that perfectly captures the essence of the festive season in a glass. It combines the smoothness of cold brew with the warming notes of cinnamon, clove, and orange for a uniquely satisfying experience. The preparation is simple, requiring mostly patience for the infusion process, and results in a versatile concentrate. Enjoy it black, with milk, or as a base for other creative beverages any time you crave a comforting yet refreshing treat.

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