Espresso Tonic Recipe

Life happens; an Espresso Tonic helps! Looking for a caffeine kick? You’re in luck! Swap hot for chilled with my Espresso Tonic recipe. This cold, caffeinated beverage is bold, bubbly, complex, crisp, citrusy, herbal, refreshing, rich and couldn’t be more satisfying. Whether you enjoy it in the AM or PM, this easy recipe won’t disappoint. It’s coffee time, so sip and enjoy!

With Scandinavian roots, this espresso-based drink has become a mainstay in coffee culture. It pairs freshly brewed espresso with tonic water to create a drink that will make you rethink your morning brew! A freshly brewed shot of espresso is served over ice with chilled tonic water and an orange peel. The espresso lends complexity, richness and vibrancy to this drink with its slightly bitter, sweet and acidic tasting notes. Avoid using dark roast espresso in this Espresso Tonic recipe. Its bittersweet, smoky and robust chocolate flavour overpower the tonic water and can make this drink overly bitter. Instead, opt for espresso made using a medium espresso roast. This roast is well-rounded, moderately acidic, boasts a fruity, nutty and caramel-like flavour and harmoniously blends with tonic water.

If you’ve never had tonic water, you’re missing out! Tonic water is a carbonated soft drink that is slightly bitter. It’s lightly flavoured with quinine; an ingredient derived from cinchona tree bark and is sweetened with sugar (or other sweeteners) to balance out the bitter profile. When espresso and tonic water combine, they form a drink that is bold (Thank you, espresso!), bitter (Hello, quinine!) and effervescent (Tonic water, we feel you, see you and hear you!) in nature! To round out the flavours of this caffeinated drink, an orange peel is added to the mix. Not only does it perfectly complement the fruity notes of the espresso, but it adds a touch of brightness and sweetness to this drink. There you have it! A fresh and exciting take on your favourite morning drink!

Now, that we’ve got all the ingredients organized, there’s two ways to enjoy this refreshing drink: layered or mixed! For a layered drink, you’ll need a small spoon. Pouring the espresso over the back of a spoon prevents the espresso from blending with the tonic water and keeps the two distinct layers intact. Enjoying the drink as is will give you a multi-dimensional experience: bold espresso within the first few sips and capped off with bubbly, herbaceous and refreshing tonic water. If you prefer a more cohesive and uniform sip, simply add an ice cube and chilled tonic water to a bar glass, top it with freshly brewed espresso, stir until fully incorporated and enjoy! Whatever way you drink it, this drink will keep you sipping!

My Espresso Tonic can be enjoyed morning, afternoon or night: making it perfect for a fresh start or a nightcap mocktail! Dry January has never looked so good. This caffeinated drink couldn’t be easier to make, comes together in just 5 minutes and uses a handful of simple and everyday ingredients. So, let me show you how it’s done. Grab a spoon and come and cook with me!

For more fun and exciting coffee-based recipes, try my Affogato, Flourless Chocolate Cake, Beef Chili, Tiramisu Overnight Oats and Espresso Martini recipes!

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

• 1 shot medium roast espresso

• A large ice cube (See Notes below)

• 140mL tonic water, chilled

• An orange peel

Instructions:

1. Brew a shot of espresso and set it aside.

2. Place a large ice cube into a bar glass and top it with tonic water and an orange peel.

3. Slowly pour the espresso over the back of a spoon.

4. Enjoy the drink as is or stir to combine! Cheers!

   
   

Notes:

1. Ice, Ice, Baby: I love using a large ice cube in this recipe. Larger ice cubes melt slowly, chilling the drink without diluting it. If you don’t have a large ice cube handy, don’t fret! Simply fill the bar glass 1/3 of the way to the top with smaller ice cubes for comparable results.