Cold Brew Coffee Tonic (Print Version)

Iced cold brew paired with sparkling tonic and a burst of orange zest—crisp, bright, and effortlessly refreshing.

# What You'll Need:

→ Base

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

→ Garnish

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

# How-To Steps:

01 - Place two serving glasses in the fridge briefly or fill with ice to ensure they are cold before assembly.
02 - Fill each chilled glass with a generous amount of ice to maintain effervescence and chill the drink quickly.
03 - Divide the cold brew evenly and pour approximately 3.4 fl oz into each glass.
04 - Gently top each glass with about 3.4 fl oz of chilled tonic water to preserve carbonation.
05 - Stir each drink once or twice with a spoon using a gentle lifting motion to integrate without dissipating the bubbles.
06 - Express fresh orange zest over the surface of each drink, garnish with the zest and an optional wedge, then serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • This is one of the easiest ways to look like you planned something fancy, even if it takes five minutes.
  • The zip of orange zest lifts the whole drink and makes each sip feel like sunshine in a glass.
02 -
  • Pour the tonic slowly or it’ll foam up and overflow—I’ve lost more than one batch to an overenthusiastic pour.
  • Not all cold brews work—if you use a super dark roast, it’ll fight the tonic’s bitterness instead of playing along.
03 -
  • High-quality tonic with real quinine brings out the best in the coffee’s flavor.
  • Zest directly over each glass right before serving for a burst of fresh aroma.
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