When summer rolls around, nothing beats a crisp, iced beverage sipped in the sunshine. Now, imagine combining two heavyweight champions of refreshment: cold brew and lemonade. French soldiers had this idea back in the 1840s in Algeria, and it’s stuck around ever since, mainly in Algeria, Portugal, Spain, parts of France, and Austria.
Kate Bianchi, the owner of Mudita Cafe in Norfolk, has brought this drink, Mazagran, to the States. Though its popularity has yet to take hold, Bianchi is confident that the combination of zingy, tart lemonade and bold coffee will wet a few whistles. “It’s the Mojito of coffee drinks,” she says. Sign us up.
Try Kate’s 3-Step Mazagran at Home
1 cup strong brewed coffee
2 tablespoons of granulated sugar or 3.5 tablespoons of simple syrup
Ice
Juice from half of a lemon
Once you’ve brewed your coffee, stir in sweetener of choice, adjusting to taste.
Add equal parts coffee and cold water to an ice-filled glass.
Add lemon juice, and stir to combine.
This article originally appeared in the June 2026 issue.
