Orange juice and tonic in coffee? Of course! Here are our favourite coffee combinations

Sometimes less is more: a coffee shop’s selection doesn’t have to be endless to be memorable, as quality is often more important than quantity. At the same time, gastronomy is a dynamically developing field, and renewal is an integral part of it. Whether it’s about coffee refreshed with a bitter tonic or a version enriched with cascara tea, it’s always worth being open to new things!

Although the combination may seem surprising at first, this Scandinavian-inspired drink is now almost a staple in establishments offering quality coffee. The bitter tonic enhances the fruity acidity of the coffee, while the bubbles make the drink light and refreshing. It is worth ordering it with a light roast coffee to balance the acids. The end result is an elegant, fresh and thoroughly summery drink.

Where can we try it? At Reggeli in Pécs, they make a unique espresso tonic with homemade tonic syrup, homemade elderflower syrup, and a little soda. At Babszem Café, they serve their own homemade tonic, which is special because it does not contain quinine.

Photo: Reggeli, Pécs

Cascara is the dried husk of coffee cherries, which is first steeped as tea and then mixed with ice, orange peel, and soda water to make a spritz. This light, summery drink has a lower caffeine content but a lively, hibiscus flavour, making it an excellent choice for the warmer months.

Cold brew coffee with orange juice? It may seem extreme at first, but many people swear by it. The lower acidity and chocolatey body of cold brew harmonizes well with the liveliness of freshly squeezed orange juice. According to the pros, the key is the ratio: let the coffee dominate. A great choice in warmer weather!

Where can we try it? At one of Szombathely’s most outstanding specialty coffee shops, Balmora Factory, fruit is often mixed with coffee – it’s worth checking out the current offerings if you are craving a combination of orange juice and coffee.

With this trendy drink, it’s the technology that's the trick, not the flavour – yet we can’t ignore it, as it enjoys incredible popularity. Gábor Tóth, owner of Black Sheep, explains that cold-brewed coffee is tapped with nitrogen, which creates tiny bubbles in the drink. This makes the coffee creamy and silky – just like a Guinness. Nitrogen is less soluble in water than carbon dioxide, therefore it doesn’t add acidity, just texture.

Irish coffee is a true classic among alcoholic coffees, but it becomes truly special when prepared according to the original recipe. According to Gábor Tóth, the base is a high-quality Ethiopian filter coffee or “batch brew”, to which brown sugar syrup is added. The barista steams this mixture with Irish whiskey, then layers it with cream shaken in a shaker and grates fresh nutmeg on top.

says Gábor Tóth.

Where can we try it? Irish coffee is made according to the original recipe at the Black Sheep Café & Kitchen locations in Debrecen, Gyula, and Szeged. It’s an almost unmissable choice on cooler days, but it also holds its own in the milder months.