In France Mazagran is the word for a tall mug without a handle, usually used for coffee.
Mazagran is also the word for the coffee drink that originated in 1840 in the Fort of Mazagran in North West Algeria.
There is even a village Mazagran in the Ardennes department of France named after the 1840 battle between the Algerian resistance forces and French troops.
The story goes that French colonial troops created the drink while defending the Mazagran fort during the French conquest of Algeria. They diluted their coffee syrup with sweetened cold water, rather than milk, to try and stay cool in the sweltering African heat.
Some historians call it the original iced coffee.
There are many variations of Mazagran around the world, including Portuguese, Spanish, and Austrian versions.
Traditionally served in a tall narrow glass the drink typically includes coffee, lemon juice, and a sweetener like sugar or honey. Other ingredients that may be added include mint, rum, or other alcoholic spirits.
HOW TO MAKE
To make a Mazagran, brew coffee, let it cool, add ice to a glass, pour in the coffee, add lemon juice and sweetener, and stir, or mix in a cocktail shaker. Garnish with a slice of lemon or mint leaves.
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