The Cold Brew Creative Beverage Sampler

Our friends at Toddy share some delicious drink recipes suiting the season.

BY JULIA LEACH, TODDY
SPECIAL TO BARISTA MAGAZINE
Photos courtesy of Toddy Cafe

Refreshing. Delicious. Unexpected. Celebratory. Looking for a beverage that checks all these boxes? Meet this summer’s MVP, cold brew, the versatile concentrate crafted from coffee or tea brewed over time. The flavor-packed beverage foundation plays well with a variety of mixers and garnishes. 

The perfect choice for everything from an afternoon brunch to late-night events, cold-brew cocktails and nonalcoholic mocktails are easily modified to suit individual tastes. Caffeinated or caffeine-free, strong or gentle, carbonated or still, flavored or unflavored—cold-brewed coffee and tea are so versatile they can accommodate just about any flavor or mouthfeel you’re in the mood for.

And thankfully, nonalcoholic beverages are no longer relegated to the ranks of simple juice or soda drinks. Today the alcohol-free versions of cold-brew cocktails are created with the same meticulous attention and mixology that their spirited counterparts have enjoyed for years. So without further ado, here are some cocktail and mocktail options ready for personalization to suit your guests’ (or your own) varied tastes.

Image of Hibiscus Cooler cold-brew coffee mocktail.
The Hibiscus Cooler is as delicious as it is beautiful.

HIBISCUS COOLER

Ingredients:
• 1 ounce hibiscus cold-brew tea concentrate
• ½–1 ounce honey sweetener (or ½ ounce honey dissolved with 1 tablespoon hot water)
• 7 ounces sparkling water
• 1 cup ice
• 1 lime wedge for garnish

Directions:
Combine hibiscus cold-brew tea concentrate with the honey and stir well. Add ice, and top off with sparkling water. Gently stir to combine. Garnish with lime wedge.

Image of a Cold Brew Boulevardier signature drink.
You might do well to make the Cold Brew Boulevardier by the batch—we promise your guests will love it!

COLD BREW BOULEVARDIER

Ingredients:
• 1 ounce cold-brew coffee concentrate
• 1 ounce Campari
• 1 ounce sweet vermouth
• 1 ½ ounces bourbon
• Orange peel for garnish

Directions:
Combine ingredients in a mixing glass with ice and stir. Strain into a rocks glass with a large ice cube. Garnish with orange peel after twisting it over the drink and running it around the edge of the glass.

A Hibiscus Margarita cold-brew beverage.
The deep purple hue of the Hibiscus Margarita cocktail is the perfect complement to any late-summer party—or for just sipping on your porch.

HIBISCUS MARGARITA

Ingredients:
• 4 ounces hibiscus cold-brew tea concentrate 
• 2 ounces premium silver tequila
• 1 ounce agave nectar or simple syrup
• Juice from one large lime

Directions:
Combine ingredients in a beverage shaker and shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled margarita glass with a salted rim. For added visual appeal, top it off with your favorite tropical flower.

Pucker up for the refreshing and rousing Cold Brew & Tart Cherry.

COLD BREW & TART CHERRY

Ingredients:
• 1 ½ ounces cold-brew coffee concentrate
• 1 ½ ounces tart cherry juice
• 1 ½ ounces sparkling water
• Orange slice for garnish

Directions:
Pour the liquid ingredients over a large ice cube in a rocks glass. Stir to combine and garnish with the orange slice. 

Barista Magazine thanks Toddy Cafe for providing these fantastic drink recipes and photos!

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