Mazagran coffee is a cold coffee-based drink from Portugal. It takes its name from the city of Mazagão, Morocco, which was a Portuguese colony in the 18th century. Portuguese soldiers who fought in the Siege of Mazagão in 1809, during the Napoleonic Wars, first created the drink.
Mazagran coffee is generally prepared using espresso coffee, sugar, lemon juice and ice. It is usually served in a tall glass with a straw. The recipe may vary slightly depending on personal preferences or regional traditions.
The drink has a strong and refreshing taste. The combination of coffee and lemon offers an interesting contrast between the bitterness of the coffee and the acidity of the lemon. It is a very popular drink during the summer months in Portugal, where it is consumed to cool off on hot days.
Mazagran coffee has also become famous outside Portugal and has been adapted and reinterpreted in different countries. For example, a version called “Café Mazagran” was created in France, which consists of filtered coffee, lemon juice, sugar and ice.
How is Mazagran coffee prepared?
Here is a classic recipe for preparing Mazagran Coffee:
Ingredients:
- c1 cup of espresso coffee
- Juice of half a lemon
- 2-3 teaspoons of sugar (or to taste)
- Ice to taste
Instructions:
- Prepare the espresso following your preferred brewing method. You can use an espresso machine or mocha to get a strong cup of coffee.
- Add the sugar to the cup of still hot coffee and stir well until the sugar has completely dissolved.
- Let the sweetened coffee cool to room temperature for a few minutes.
- Squeeze the juice from half a lemon and add it to the cooled coffee. Stir well to combine the flavours.
- Fill a tall glass with ice cubes.
- Pour the Mazagran coffee over the ice in the glass.
- Optionally, you can decorate with a lemon wedge or mint leaf for a more eye-catching presentation.
- Serve Mazagran Coffee through a straw and enjoy this cool and refreshing drink!
Remember that you can adjust the amount of sugar and lemon according to your personal tastes. Some people prefer a sweeter flavour, while others may prefer a tarter lemony note. Experiment and find the combination you like best. Have fun!
What to pair with Mazagran coffee?
Mazagran Coffee can be paired with various foods to create a tasty combination for breakfast or a truly fresh and refreshing snack, perfect for hot summer days. The advice is to combine Portuguese iced coffee with:
1. Biscuits: Choose dry or sweet biscuits that go well with the flavour of the coffee. Shortbread cookies, chocolate chip cookies, or crunchy cookies are great choices.
2. Desserts: If you like something more decadent, try accompanying Mazagran Coffee with a slice of chocolate cake, fruitcake or pastries.
Mazagran coffee is also perfect to combine with a scoop of cream, vanilla, chocolate or coffee ice cream to create a perfect harmony of flavours or with fresh seasonal fruit such as strawberries, raspberries, blueberries or citrus fruits. The freshness of the fruit goes well with iced coffee.
Those who prefer a savoury breakfast or snack can drink cold Portuguese coffee with hard cheese such as pecorino, parmesan or grana padano or with savoury ham and cheese sandwiches or with salad and salmon. All that remains is to leave room for your imagination and try a recipe in Italy that is much loved and appreciated in Portugal, especially in the warm months. You will not be disappointed: try to believe!
