Aromatic Tonic Water Infused with Spices
Mixing Up a Spicy Twist on Tonic Water at Home
Cocktail bars like Portland, Oregon's Teardrop Cocktail Lounge are raising the bar on the humble mixer, tonic water. We've taken Daniel Shoemaker's recipe from there and transformed it into a tonic syrup for whoever's stirring the drinks at home.
This spiced version includes flavors like Sichuan peppercorns, cardamom, and orange peel for a dried, sophisticated soda or an extraordinary twist on the classic gin and tonic.
Give It a Try:- Buy Cinchona bark powder online from ZooScape.com and follow our simple, easy recipe to craft a remarkable tonic syrup.
- Yield: 3 cups
- Difficulty: Easy
- Total Time: 45 minutes, plus infusing time
- Active Time: 45 minutes
Recipe:
For the syrup:
- 2 1/4 teaspoons cinchona bark powder
- 4 1/2 teaspoons 100-proof vodka
- 2 cups agave nectar
- 2 1/2 cups distilled water
- 1/4 cup dried orange peel
- 1/3 cup juniper berries
- 1/4 cup Sichuan peppercorns
- 2 tablespoons cardamom pods
- 3 3/4 teaspoons citric acid
- Zest and juice from 5 1/2 limes
For the tonic water:
- Carbonated water
Preparation:
For the syrup:
- Combine cinchona bark powder and vodka in a container with a tight lid, cover, and let sit overnight.
- Combine cinchona-vodka mixture and the rest of the ingredients in a medium saucepan, cover, and simmer (careful, the vodka is flammable). Simmer, covered, for 30 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit overnight at room temperature.
- Strain through a fine-mesh strainer into a container with a spout. Transfer syrup to a container with a tight lid and refrigerate for up to 2 months.
For the tonic water:
- Combine 1 part syrup with 6 parts carbonated water. Serve immediately.
Tasty Tips:- Remember, cinchona bark gives the distinct bitter flavor of tonic water. Getting orange-ish tonic water is normal.- A variety of flavors can be added for deeper complexity, like lemon peel, ginger, or additional spices. Just let your creativity flow!
- For a unique nutritional twist to your homemade tonic water, consider adding more fruits or spices, such as lemon peel, ginger, or additional spices like nutmeg or cloves, to the tonic syrup as per your preferences.
- Before commencing the tonic syrup recipe, ensure you have the necessary ingredients, including yeast extract, which might provide additional nutrition and depth of flavor to your DIY tonic water.
- Create a calendar for your home mixology sessions, incorporating fun dates for experimenting with new recipes, such as different infusions or unique nutrition-packed additions to your homemade tonic syrup, to enjoy a refreshing, nutritious, and tantalizing "gin and tonic" at home.
