Cardamom-Spiced Cold Brew Tonic
An invigorating cold brew coffee cocktail with bright tonic water and warming cardamom spice, perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up. This recipe, ready in about 4 minutes, brings together cold brew coffee, tonic water, cardamom syrup for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 70 calories and feeds 1, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 3 oz cold brew coffee
- 3 oz tonic water
- 0.75 oz cardamom syrup
- 0.25 oz fresh lemon juice
- as needed ice cubes
- 1 strip lemon twist
- 1 whole cardamom pod
The coffee makers we’d brew this with → Best Coffee Makers in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Fill a highball glass with ice cubes to the top.
- Step 2: Pour 3 oz cold brew coffee and 0.75 oz cardamom syrup over the ice.
- Step 3: Add 0.25 oz fresh lemon juice and gently stir with a bar spoon for 15 seconds to mix and chill without excessive dilution.
- Step 4: Slowly top with 3 oz tonic water to preserve carbonation.
- Step 5: Express a wide lemon twist over the glass to release oils, rim the glass with it, and drop it inside.
- Step 6: Garnish by lightly crushing a whole cardamom pod with the back of a spoon to release aroma and place it on top of the ice.
