Mazagran (drink) facts for kids
Mazagran
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| Alternative names | café mazagran, masagran |
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| Type | Beverage |
| Place of origin | Algeria |
| Serving temperature | Hot or Cold |
| Main ingredients | coffee, water, |
Mazagran (also known as café mazagran) is a cold, sweet coffee drink. It first came from Algeria. Some versions from Portugal might have espresso, lemon, mint, and rum. In Austria, it's served with an ice cube and also includes rum. Sometimes, a quick mazagran is made by pouring sweetened espresso over ice with a slice of lemon. Many people say Mazagran was the very first iced coffee.
Contents
The Story of Mazagran
Where Did Mazagran Come From?
The name of this drink likely comes from a fortress called Mazagran in Algiers, Algeria. In 1837, this fortress was given to France through a special agreement. French soldiers who were stationed there drank a beverage made from coffee syrup and cold water.
Some stories say that the drink was invented by soldiers from the French Foreign Legion. During a battle in Mazagran in 1840, they didn't have milk or brandy for their coffee. So, they used water instead. They drank it cold to stay cool in the heat.
Mazagran Comes to Paris
When these soldiers went back to Paris, they suggested that cafés should serve this new drink. They also suggested serving it in tall glasses. That's how the drink got its name, café mazagran. In France, coffee served in glasses is still sometimes called "mazagrin."
How to Make Mazagran
Making the Drink
Mazagran is usually made with strong, hot coffee poured over ice. It's often served in a tall, narrow glass. Some people describe it as "coffee with water instead of milk." In this way, coffee is served in a tall glass, and you get a separate container of water to mix in yourself.
Different Kinds of Mazagran
In Portugal, mazagran is a sweet "Portuguese iced coffee." It's made with strong coffee or espresso served over ice with lemon. Sometimes, people add rum to the Portuguese versions. It can also be sweetened with sugar syrup.
In Austria, mazagran coffee is served with an ice cube and made with rum. People usually drink it very quickly, "in one gulp."
In Catalonia and Valencia, regions in Spain, it's called "Café del temps" (or "café del tiempo"). It's made by adding coffee to ice with a lemon peel. This name means "weather's coffee."
Mazagran in Bottled Drinks
In the mid-1990s, Starbucks and PepsiCo tried to make bottled, fizzy mazagran drinks. They tested these drinks in California in 1994. However, the drinks didn't become very popular.
Even though the bottled mazagran didn't sell well, Starbucks learned something useful. They discovered a special coffee extract during their research. This extract is now used in their popular pre-mixed, bottled frappuccino drinks that you can buy in stores. It's also used in their bottled double shot and iced coffee drinks.
