Cold Brew Tonic Orange Zest (Print version)

Chilled cold brew and tonic brightened by orange zest for a sparkling summer drink.

# Required ingredients:

→ Base

01 - 6.8 fl oz cold brew coffee, chilled
02 - 6.8 fl oz tonic water, chilled

→ Garnish

03 - Zest of 1 orange (reserve 1 wedge optional)
04 - Ice cubes, as needed

# How to make it:

01 - Fill two serving glasses with ice to chill while assembling ingredients.
02 - Divide the chilled cold brew coffee evenly between the two glasses (about 3.4 fl oz / 100 ml per glass).
03 - Gently top each glass with chilled tonic water (about 3.4 fl oz / 100 ml per glass) to preserve carbonation.
04 - Stir each glass once or twice with a spoon, using a gentle motion to integrate without flattening the tonic.
05 - Express the orange zest over each drink, drop the zest into the glass and add an optional orange wedge to the rim.
06 - Present the drinks cold and sparkling, consuming promptly for best effervescence.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It wakes up your taste buds the way only coffee and citrus can—it's like a secret summer pick-me-up.
  • The combo of cold brew and tonic is so easy, yet always impresses friends (even the skeptical ones) at brunch.
02 -
  • Pouring tonic too quickly fizzes over the glass and loses most of the bubbles—I've learned to be patient after many sticky countertops.
  • Once I experimented with lemon instead of orange and found the drink took on an elegant, crisp note—perfect for those who like things a little less sweet.
03 -
  • Avoid stirring too vigorously or the tonic will go flat before it hits the table.
  • For the brightest orange flavor, zest directly over the glass to catch the citrus oils.
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