Mazagran: an original, iced lemon-flavored coffee from Portugal!

Although Portuguese coffee culture is not particularly popular in Greece, it is one of the most distinct and unique in the world. Due to the colonial past of Portugal and the country's close ties with Brazil, the Portuguese developed a sensory coffee sensory early - and together, they also developed special habits and very interesting recipes.

Although the Portuguese favorite coffee is espresso, which has differences from the Italian one, the beverage that has become synonymous with hot and humid Portuguese summer is nothing more than Mazagran, an original combination of cold coffee and lemon juice.

Mazagran is nothing more than a filter coffee, which after freezing is combined with lemon juice and ice cubes, resulting in an extremely refreshing drink. Although the combination of the bitter taste of coffee and the lemon's acidity may seem strange to us, those who have tried the Mazagran talk about a refreshing drink, perfect for the hot summer days.

History reports that Mazagran was first made by French soldiers at the Algerian fortress or, in another version, French soldiers of Legion of Foreigners, seeking a tonic and appetizing drink. Although we meet it in various countries in Europe and North Africa, Mazagran ended up synonymous with Portuguese coffee. In Portugal, however, one finds variations that include  espresso instead of filter coffee or versions of rum and mint.

What do you need for a glass of Mazagran?

• A tall transparent glass
• A cup of coffee
• Ice
• 2 tablespoons of sugar
• The juice of 1/2 lemon

How is Mazagran prepared?

• Prepare the coffee
• Shake it with ice cubes, unti it is chilled
• Place the lemon juice and the sugar in the glass and mix well
• Add the cold coffee
• Serve with extra ice cubes and a lemon slice

Tips for making a refreshing Mazagran

• Mazagran can also be prepared with espresso instead of filter coffee. In this case, as the flavor of the espresso is more intense, it may be good to dilute a double espresso with cold water to reach the ml of a regular filter coffee.
• For authentic Portuguese flavor, we can choose a Portuguese coffee brand, such as Buondi or Del. Whether we prepare our coffee as an espresso or as a filter, the result will be delicious.
• Add sugar at will, depending on how much you enjoy the acidity of lemon.
• If you want to give our drink even more intense summer feeling, you can add some soda or tonic water.
• In Portugal there is the version of Mazagran with alcohol: add rum at will and garnish with mint leaves.
• Mazagran can be easily made with cold extracted coffee - our well-known Cold Brew. The natural sweetness of Cold Brew fits perfectly well with the acidic notes of lemon.

If your Portugal falls off or if you miss the relaxed joy of summer afternoons, your next coffee can be a Mazagran! It is easy, fast, with materials that you surely have at home and closes in it the ultimate Mediterranean summer!

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