Coffee Soda
A refreshing, effervescent cold beverage blending concentrated cold brew or chilled espresso with sparkling water and citrus.
Preparing the Glass
Fill a tall highball glass completely with fresh ice cubes. If using simple syrup, pour it over the ice now.
The Base
Pour the sparkling water over the ice, filling the glass about two-thirds full.
The Coffee Pour
Slowly pour the cold brew concentrate or chilled espresso over the sparkling water. Pouring slowly helps maintain a beautiful gradient before mixing.
Service
Garnish with a slice of lemon or orange. Serve immediately with a stirring spoon or straw. The drinker should stir the beverage to integrate the coffee and sparkling water before drinking.
Coffee Soda is a modern, highly refreshing take on iced coffee, perfectly suited for warm weather. By replacing the heavy texture of milk with the crisp effervescence of sparkling water, the beverage highlights the bright, acidic, and fruity notes of the coffee.
The choice of coffee base significantly influences the final result. A cold brew concentrate offers a smoother, sweeter, and more mellow profile, while a chilled flash-brewed coffee or espresso introduces sharper, more vibrant acidity. A subtle addition of simple syrup and a twist of citrus (such as lemon or orange peel) are commonly used to bridge the gap between the bitter coffee and the sharp carbonation, resulting in a complex, thirst-quenching drink that drinks almost like a botanical cocktail.