Easy Homemade Tonic Water Recipe for Refreshing Drinks

Elevate your gin and tonic game with this artisanal tonic water recipe. Crafting your own tonic allows you to tailor the flavor profile to complement your favorite gin, resulting in a more refined and personalized drinking experience.

The Art of Homemade Tonic

While store-bought tonic water has its place, creating your own opens up a world of flavor possibilities. This DIY approach lets you control the sweetness, bitterness, and botanical notes, resulting in a more complex and satisfying mixer.

Our recipe strikes a balance between the familiar tonic taste and an enhanced bitter profile, perfect for those who find commercial tonics too sweet. The result is a yellowish-brown liquid – a testament to its natural ingredients and lack of artificial coloring.

Ingredients Spotlight

The star of this recipe is cinchona bark, the natural source of quinine that gives tonic its characteristic bitterness. We’ve carefully balanced this with citrus notes from lemon and lime, and a touch of exotic flavor from lemongrass. The use of real sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup results in a cleaner, more vibrant taste.

Ingredients

• 1 lemon
• 1 lime
• 2 cups water
• 2 teaspoons cut cinchona bark
• 1 1/4 teaspoons citric acid powder
• 1 stalk lemongrass, sliced (about 2/3 cup)
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 6 cups carbonated water

Directions

1. Begin by zesting both the lemon and lime. Place the zest in a medium saucepan. Juice the citrus fruits and add the juice to the pan.
2. To the saucepan, add water, cinchona bark, citric acid powder, sliced lemongrass, and sugar. Bring this mixture to a boil over high heat, allowing the flavors to meld.
3. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for 45 minutes. This extended cooking time allows for maximum flavor extraction.
4. After simmering, remove the pan from heat and let the mixture steep for an additional 20 minutes. This step ensures that every last bit of flavor is infused into your tonic syrup.
5. Strain the mixture through two layers of cheesecloth placed in a fine-mesh sieve. If you notice any remaining particles, strain again for a smoother syrup.
6. Transfer your tonic syrup to a sealable glass container and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before use. This cooling period allows the flavors to settle and meld.
7. To prepare your tonic water, combine 1 part syrup with 4 parts carbonated water. Mix these just before serving to ensure maximum fizz and freshness.

Customization Tips

Feel free to experiment with additional botanicals to create your signature tonic. Try adding allspice berries, star anise, or juniper berries for a spicier profile. Alternatively, explore floral notes with lavender or cardamom. The beauty of homemade tonic is its versatility – let your imagination run wild!

Serving Suggestions

While this tonic water shines in a classic gin and tonic, don’t limit yourself. Try it with vodka for a refreshing twist, or use it to add depth to mocktails. For a sophisticated touch, garnish with a slice of grapefruit or a sprig of fresh herbs.

Nutritional Facts

Storage and Shelf Life

Your homemade tonic syrup will keep in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Remember to always mix it with fresh carbonated water just before serving to maintain the perfect fizz and flavor.

A Note on Ingredients

Cinchona bark can be found at specialty herb shops or ordered online. When using citric acid powder, also known as sour salt, you can find it in most grocery stores or online retailers. These unique ingredients are what set your homemade tonic apart from store-bought versions.

Embark on this mixology adventure and discover the joy of crafting your own tonic water. Your gin and tonics will never be the same again!