Mazagran (Iced Coffee with Lemon)

Mazagran is a chilled coffee drink with a distinctly brisk character: strong black coffee served over ice, lightly sweetened and sharpened with fresh lemon. This Portuguese-style version keeps the preparation simple, letting the bitterness of the coffee, the clean citrus acidity and a little sugar work together without milk or cream. It is especially refreshing when the coffee is properly chilled before serving, so the ice cools rather than dilutes it. Serve it straight away in a cold glass for a bright, no-cook drink that suits warm afternoons, quick coffee breaks or a lighter alternative to richer iced coffees.
Recipe by JustRecipes Editorial Team
Content validated: August 2026 How we create recipes
Made this recipe? Rate it
Cuisine style Portuguese café drink
Cooking style No-cook preparation • Minimal cleanup
Time commitment Under 15 minutes

Why this recipe works

  • Bright and refreshing: Lemon cuts through the strong coffee, giving the drink a clean, citrus-led finish.
  • Ready fast: Once the coffee is cooled, the drink only needs stirring and pouring over ice.
  • Easy to balance: A little sugar softens the bitterness of the coffee and the sharpness of the lemon without making it heavy.

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Timing notes

  • Serve immediately: Pour over ice just before drinking so the coffee stays cold and concentrated.
  • Chill the coffee first: Cold coffee keeps the ice from melting too quickly and gives a cleaner flavour.

Ingredient notes

  • Use strong black coffee: A robust brew holds up best against the lemon and ice.
  • Balance the lemon: Taste after adding the citrus and adjust with a little more sugar if the drink is too sharp.

Ingredient swaps

  • Try agave syrup: Agave dissolves easily in cold coffee and can replace caster sugar.
  • Use lime instead of lemon: Lime gives the drink a sharper, more aromatic citrus edge.

Make-ahead tips

  • Mix ahead without ice: The coffee, sugar and lemon juice can be combined and chilled ahead; add ice only when serving.
  • Best very fresh: The citrus flavour is brightest on the day it is mixed.

Equipment you'll need

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Ingredients
Instructions
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  1. Pour the cooled coffee into a small bowl or jug and stir in the caster sugar until dissolved.
  2. Squeeze the lemon and stir the juice into the sweetened coffee.
  3. Fill a glass with the ice cubes, then pour over the coffee mixture. Serve straight away while very cold.

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Recipe notes

Tips

  • For the cleanest flavour, chill the coffee before mixing so the ice does not melt too quickly.
  • Taste after adding the lemon, then adjust with a little more caster sugar if you prefer it sweeter.

Substitutions

  • Replace caster sugar with agave syrup for a quicker dissolve in cold coffee.
  • Replace lemon with lime for a sharper citrus finish.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 1 days
  • Best served immediately. If needed, mix the coffee, sugar and lemon juice and chill for up to 24 hours; add ice cubes only when serving.

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Mazagran (Iced Coffee with Lemon)
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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 1 glasses
  • Total time: 10min (5min active)
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Cuisine: Portuguese
Beginner friendly
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Equipment you'll need

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Black Brewed Coffee

1 cup ≈ 240 ml
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