Spiced Coffee Tonic with Cardamom and Citrus

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-07 · Updated 2026-06-07

A refreshing and aromatic coffee tonic combining cold brew coffee with cardamom, citrus, and tonic water for a bright, invigorating drink. This recipe, ready in about 15 minutes, brings together cold brew coffee, tonic water, cardamom pods 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 60 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

• 4 oz cold brew coffee
• 4 oz tonic water
• 3, lightly crushed cardamom pods
• 1 strip orange peel
• 0.5 oz simple syrup
• enough to fill glass ice cubes

The coffee makers we’d brew this with → Best Coffee Makers in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small saucepan, combine 0.5 oz simple syrup and 3 lightly crushed cardamom pods. Heat gently over low heat for 3 minutes until the syrup is fragrant with cardamom, then remove from heat and let cool.
2. Step 2: Fill a tall glass with ice cubes and add 4 oz cold brew coffee and 4 oz tonic water. Stir in the cooled cardamom syrup and add 1 strip of orange peel, twisting it over the glass to release oils before dropping it in.
3. Step 3: Stir gently once more and serve immediately for a bright, spiced coffee tonic experience.