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Iced Café de Olla

4.4

(5)

pint glass of cold brew and ice swirled with coconut milk
Photo by Rick Martinez

I love the flavor of orange zest and spices in a café de olla, so I created a concentrated syrup that is ready on demand to flavor any cold brew. Coconuts are grown all along the Pacific coast of Mexico; use coconut milk to add richness and even more tropical flavor.  

  

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Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 5–8

Ingredients

¾ cup grated piloncillo or (packed) dark brown sugar
1 (3") canela or cinnamon stick
5 cardamom pods, cracked
5 allspice berries
1 tsp. black peppercorns
Pinch of kosher salt
3 wide strips orange zest
5–8 cups cold-brew coffee
Unsweetened coconut milk or half-and-half (for serving)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Bring piloncillo, canela, cardamom, allspice, peppercorns, salt, and 1 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 15 minutes. Add orange zest; let cool.

    Step 2

    Strain spiced syrup through a fine-mesh sieve into a measuring glass; discard spices. (You should have about 1 cup.)

    Step 3

    To make 1 drink, pour 1 cup cold-brew coffee into an ice-filled glass. Stir in 2–3 Tbsp. spiced syrup; top with 2–3 Tbsp. coconut milk.

    Step 4

    Do Ahead: Syrup can be made 1 week ahead. Cover and chill.

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