Citrus Cardamom Coffee Spritzer (& Oleato Version)

I know, I know. You’re probably thinking that “citrus cardamom coffee spritzer” are four words that do NOT go together.

BUT HERE WE ARE.

And if I were to describe this drink (iced coffee? mocktail??) in two words, it would be “weird” and “refreshing”. It’s certainly unique, and I personally think it’s delicious.

Lemon and cardamom are already a flavor combo I love (see exhibit A and exhibit B), because the bright acidity helping balance the intense pungent spice. This is now a sippin’ version.

I’ve actually been playing around with this recipe for a couple years now, and have discovered a number of alternate ways to make it, depending on my mood:

I added a teaspoon or two of olive oil and shook the whole thing (minus the soda water) then topped off with soda water…the pic below is this “oleato” version
You can use brewed espresso vs. the Aeropress this recipe calls for (I *slightly* prefer the flavor from the latter for this)
You could make it alcoholic with vodka or gin, but I think it makes a lovely mocktail.

You might also like: A Gift Guide for the Coffee Lover in Your Life

So let me tell you about my secret weapon: an instant cooler/chiller! I discovered this a couple years ago and it is AMAZING.

I keep it in my freezer and anytime I need to chill hot coffee (or, let’s face it, room temp wine or fresh simple syrup), it does it in 30-60 seconds.

How to make this citrus cardamom coffee spritzer

You’ll want to start with your cold, strong coffee. There are a few directions you can go with this. My favorite is to use an Aeropress (cheap and awesome) to make strong, fresh coffee, then chill it in the hyperchiller for 30 seconds. You can make espresso too, if you prefer.

Alternatively, you can make strong coffee and chill in the fridge for an hour or two.

Fill a 12- or 16-ounce glass about half-full of ice. Add the cardamom simple syrup, cold coffee, and lemon juice, then stir to combine.

Top with soda water, stir, and add more ice or simple syrup as needed (taste it!).

When I want to mix things up from my regular perfect iced coffee or shaken brown sugar cinnamon vanilla iced latte (boy, that’s a mouthful), this tart, spiced, fizzy treat has fit the bill perfectly.

How do you make it oleato?

So let’s talk briefly about that oleato version. While I knew about shakerato (shaking espresso drinks, similar to how you would cocktails), I wasn’t really familiar with the idea of oleato until Starbucks’ recent marketing blitz. Basically, you shake it with some olive oil as well.

But I was fascinated, and wanted to give it a try. So in this case, you can add the ice, coffee, simple syrup, lemon juice, and olive oil to a mason jar or cocktail shaker.

Shake vigorously for 20-30 seconds, and strain into a highball glass filled with ice. Then top with soda water (or you can leave it out).

The flavor and texture here are kind of crazy…the shaken olive oil amps up the flavor, almost clarifies it. And you have a creamy mouthfeel, which is really cool. Overall, I love this version and alternate making it with the original.

This is a great use for your cardamom simple syrup if you’ve made it for cocktails (I love keeping it on hand for iced coffees as well). A coffee spritzer is the spring and summer drink you didn’t know you needed!

Other coffee treats you’ll love:

Iced Citrus Cardamom Coffee Spritzer

1 ounce of cardamom simple syrup
4 ounces of strong cold coffee (I use Aeropress, then Hyperchiller)
1/2 to 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice (yes, fresh is critical)
3 to 4 ounces of soda water or seltzer to top
Optional: 1 teaspoon of olive oil

Fill a 12- or 16-ounce glass about half-full of ice. Add the cardamom simple syrup, cold coffee, and lemon juice. Stir to combine.

Top with fizzy water, stir, and add more ice or simple syrup as needed.

Alternatively, you can add the ice, coffee, simple syrup, lemon juice, and olive oil to a mason jar or cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously for 20-30 seconds, and strain into a highball glass filled with ice. Top with soda water.

Adapted from Recipe Fiction

Pin for later!

Iced Citrus Cardamom Coffee Spritzer

Yield: 1 drink

Prep Time: 3 minutes

Total Time: 3 minutes

This iced cardamom coffee spritzer is brightened up with the addition of fresh lemon, making for a fun, fizzy, refreshing iced coffee or mocktail. A great cardamom iced coffee recipe.

Ingredients

1 ounce of cardamom simple syrup (see link in post)
4 ounces of strong cold coffee
1/2 to 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice (yes, fresh is critical)
3 to 4 ounces of soda water or seltzer to top
Optional: 1 teaspoon of olive oil

Instructions

Fill a 12- or 16-ounce glass about half-full of ice. Add the cardamom simple syrup, cold coffee, and lemon juice. Stir to combine.
Top with fizzy water, stir, and add more ice or simple syrup as needed.
Alternate oleato version: Add the ice, coffee, simple syrup, lemon juice, and olive oil to a mason jar or cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously for 20-30 seconds, and strain into a highball glass filled with ice. Top with soda water.