Exploring Amazing Coffee Drinks From Around The World – Portuguese Mazagran

Iced coffee has always been my prefered coffee drink, winter or summer.

And since there is no much of winter where I am, I definitely drink more iced coffee than hot.

In search for different iced coffee drinks, I found this mazagran coffee drink, which is essentially iced coffee lemonade. It sounds refreshing, doesn’t it?

The history of this coffee drink is interesting, too. It’s considered to be the first iced coffee ever, and originated in Algeria. Now, it’s extremely popular in Portugal.

What Is The Portuguese Coffee – Mazagran?

Mazagran is essentially iced coffee with lemon juice.

The mazagran is credited as the “original iced coffee” and has its origin in the coastal town of Mazagran, Algeria, where more than 100 French soldiers were held captive in an Algerian scramble for liberation against their French colonialists in the 1800s.

French soldiers took mazagran home with them, and it was common to order mazagran in France until the 20th century. However, the drink left the borders of Algeria, and the preparation of mazagran had been adapted many times over the years to suit the consumers and coffee drinkers. It didn’t stay as much popular in France nor Algeria.

However, mazagran is very popular summertime coffee drink in Portugal, being prepared with lemon juice, or lemonade. For many, this combination might seem odd, but the addition of the lemon acid helps emphasize the notes of the coffee beans for a rounded flavor to iced coffee.

How to make poruguese coffee – Mazagran

The great thing about preparing this perfectly refreshing coffee drink, is that you most probably have everything you need at home already.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of coffee: americano coffee, french press, or even cold brew for smoother taste;
• Freshly squeezed lemon juice: you’ll need at least 2 tablespoons, or more to taste
• Ice cubes
• Sweetener (optional): cinnamon, vanilla, or sugar
• 1 Lemon wedge (optional)

Directions:

1. Brew 1 cup of black coffee of your preference ( I prefer espresso or french press, and cold brew as well, if I have already prepared some)
2. Let it get to room temperature
3. Fill a tall glass with ice cubes
4. Add your coffee to the ice
5. Add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice (or more, to taste)
6. Add sweetener if you choose and mix it.
7. Optional: garnish with one lemon wedge

That’s it. You made your own Mazagran.

Final Words From Me

I have only good things to say about this drink.

I always squeeze fresh lemon juice in my hot coffee, whenever I have headache. It helps me miraculously.

But I didn’t know it’s actually a traditional drink somewhere else.

I like it, anyway, and definitely will stay my “go to” summer coffee drink.

How about you?

Have you tried coffee with lemon, or mazagran, before?

Share your thoughts on this with us, I’d love to hear from you.

And share your unique coffee drinks from around the world. I’d love to try as many traditional coffee drinks as I can.

If you liked this lemonade coffee, you’ll love this Iced Coffee With A Minty Twist and my favorite Iced Lavender Coffee.

Don’t forget to share this article with family and friends, someone might find it useful.

Enjoy Your Coffee

Latest from my IG, check more @readytocoffee