London Dry and other juniper-forward gin's pair well with Classic Tonic, fresh herbs, citrus, and juniper berries. American and other floral-forward gins take well to Indian Tonic and fresh seasonal fruits and edible flowers.
Spanish G&T Recipe:
2 oz gin
4 oz tonic*
2 dashes bitters
Squeeze lemon
Cucumber slice (3)
Juniper Berry (3) and or Red Peppercorn (3)
Lemon peel
Add Gin, Bitters, Cucumber, Juniper, Lemon Juice, and Peppercorns to a balloon glass. Add ice and stir. Slowly pour in tonic on side of glass. Carefully lift and stir. Spritz with the lemon peel and drop peel in glass.
Serve with or without a straw.
]]>The Jungle Bird is a modern classic popular on craft cocktail menus and at tiki bars around the world. Our version swaps out Campari for Indian Tonic Water, adding a pleasant fizz while retaining the herbal bitterness of the original recipe.
Lighter Jungle Bird
1.5 oz dark rum
1.5 oz pineapple juice
.5 oz lime juice
.5 oz simple syrup
2 oz Top Note Indian Tonic Water
2 dashes Angostura Bitters Original
Garnish: dehydrated pineapple and maraschino cocktail cherry
Combine all ingredients except Tonic Water in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into an ice-filled glass. Top with Tonic Water, stir and garnish.
]]>This might be our favorite way to drink mezcal! Its smokiness can be overbearing in some recipes, but its bold edges are smoothed out and complemented by the sweet, spicy, sour and salty flavors in this delicious Paloma riff.
Smoke & Spice Paloma Recipe:
1 oz mezcal
.75 oz lime juice
.25 oz agave nectar
5 oz Top Note Sparkling Grapefruit Soda
Garnish: glass rimmed with grapefruit and Tajín, lime wheel
Rim your glass with a grapefruit wedge and Tajín then shake off any excess seasoning. Fill glass with ice and set aside (if you’re not making the drink right away, save this step until just before making). Combine all ingredients except Grapefruit Soda in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain into your prepared glass and top with Grapefruit Soda. Stir and garnish with a lime wheel.
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And The Beet Goes On Recipe:
2 oz cold-pressed beet juice (store-bought or homemade)
0.25 oz lime juice
3 wheels fresh cucumber
2 dashes orange bitters
Freshly crushed fennel (1/4 t)
4 oz Top Note Sparkling Grapefruit Soda
Add all ingredients except Grapefruit Soda to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into an ice-filled glass. Top with Grapefruit Soda and stir. garnish with cucumber wheel.
]]>We think the Espresso & Tonic is pretty much the coolest thing since the advent of the Frappuccino, and while the classic espresso + tonic is absolutely incredible, we love how easily riffable this recipe is! Here we add pineapple syrup and Bitter Lemon Tonic for a bracingly tropical treat.
Pineapple Espresso & Tonic Recipe:
2 oz freshly-brewed espresso or cold brew concentrate
1 oz pineapple syrup (store bought or homemade*)
5 oz Top Note Bitter Lemon Tonic Water
Dash of Mole Bitters (optional)
Garnish: dehydrated pineapple, pineapple fronds, fresh basil (optional)
Mix the espresso or coffee with the syrup and set aside. Fill a glass with ice and add Bitter Lemon Tonic Water. Slowly pour the coffee and syrup mixture into the glass. Garnish as desired.
*Pineapple Syrup: Combine 1 cup pineapple juice and 1 cup sugar in a small pot over medium-high heat. Bring to a bowl, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Let cool before bottling. Store in the refrigerator and use within 2 weeks. Makes 8oz syrup.
]]>In the beautiful world of cocktails, your choices vary beyond belief; you have everything from the simple yet hard hitting Whiskey Sour, the tart crispness of an Appletini, or the rich and savory deepness of a Brandy Alexander. However, even in the cocktail world, finding a drink that quenches thirst, refreshes, has a decent kick, and is low-proof, is rare. One drink fits all of these criteria while also being delicious and shockingly simple to make; the Classic Vermouth Cassis.
The Vermouth Cassis is a simple, elegant drink that saw an explosion of popularity in the 1930s. Looking back, you can find the Vermouth Cassis listed in countless American home cookbooks, drink guides, and bartending manuals from the 30s onward. Over its long history, the Cassis has had many names; the two most notable are the Cranberry Cassis and the Pompier. The latter holds the origins and roots of the drink, Pompier, meaning fireman in French. The drink originated in France in the 1920s as an Apéritif cocktail. Apéritifs, deriving from the Latin word apierire (to "open"), are a low proof liquor or spirit meant to stimulate the appetite before a meal. Apéritifs come in countless variations, and some of the most popular types are Campari, Gin, Sherry, and of course, Vermouth.
Extremely common in Europe, Apéritifs have been a part of the drinking and culinary culture for hundreds of years. So when alcohol enthusiasts in the US fled to France during the 1920s, as prohibition was decimating the American drinking culture, they became exposed to Apéritifs. They then took the drink recipes home (once prohibition was over, of course!), and the Pompier spread like wildfire. Since then, the Pompier became the Vermouth Cassis and has been a part of the American drinking culture.
Recipe:
The Vermouth Cassis is a simple cocktail to prepare; you only need a jigger, glass, and pairing knife.
Ingredients:
1.5 OZ of Dry Vermouth (We recommend Dolin Dry Vermouth)
0.5 OZ of Creme De La Cassis (We recommend Lejay Creme de Cassis)
Top Note Tonic Club Soda To Taste / To Top
1 Lemon Twist
(Optional but highly recommended) Skewered Cherry or Mint for Garnish
*Note - We highly recommend using small, single-use, bottles of Vermouth when making cocktails; this is because once opened, Vermouth will begin to go bad and gain an off taste after about one month, two to three if stored in a refrigerator. This can lead to the cocktail being less than pleasant, so freshly opened Vermouth is a must for optimal taste and freshness!
Preparation:
Add ice, Vermouth, and the Creme de la Cassis to a glass, followed by the club soda. Gently stir, and add the lemon twist with blueberries or mint for garnish and enjoy!
If you would like to check out our other favorite cocktails, check out our drink catalog here. Or, if you would like to order some of our artisan mixers, you can place your order here!
]]>This simple, yet effective NA drink makes the most of pantry ingredients. Mix the syrup and cola, and then top with bitters and lime juice. A coffee house twist is to add espresso and forget the lime for a Coffee Cola, a wonderful way to get both a fix for cola flavor, and a boost of caffeine. Top Note has 35 mg caffeine/12 oa can.
4-6 oz Cascara Cola by Top Note
3 dashes any bitters with a cocoa or pepper note
2 oz Top Note club soda (if you want to cut calories) or 2 oz espresso for a more robust treat. Lime juice optional.
2 bar spoons cherry syrup
Squeeze of lime (optional)
Bar cherry and lime garnish
Build this drink in a tall highball glass. Add bitters, cherry syrup, and espresso (if using) to the glass. Stir. Add cola, club and ice. Gently stir and garnish.
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Jon made this for us on our Instagram live series, Highballs at High Noon! While its preparation is simple, this cocktail is incredibly complex.
Be sure to check out our Q&A with Jon and follow him on Instagram for cocktails and cute dog pics.
Image credit: Jon East
Jon East's Chai Highball Recipe:
1.75 oz Twisted Path Chai Liqueur
1 dash Bittermens Hopped Grapefruit Bitters
1 dash Bittermens Buckspice Gingersnap Bitters
4 drops Bittermens Xocalatl Mole Bitters
Garnish: citrus peel
Stir all ingredients together in a highball glass filled with ice and garnish.
]]>1 oz Orange Juice
2 oz Top Note Tonic Ginger Beer
3 oz Sparkling Cider
3 frozen Cranberries
Mix together juices, and ice. Top with ginger beer. Gently stir. Add 3 cranberries to garnish.
Photo Credit and Recipe Inspiration by Chowhound https://www.chowhound.com/recipes/autumn-chiller-13479
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Spirit-Free Cucumber Basil Smash Recipe:
4 fresh basil leaves
4 slices fresh cucumber
.5 oz lemon juice
1 sugar cube
3 dashes orange bitters, optional
6 oz Top Note Indian Tonic Water
Garnish: fresh cucumber and basil
Muddle all ingredients except Indian Tonic in a mason jar or heavy-bottomed rocks glass. Top with Indian Tonic and garnish.
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White Port & Tonic Recipe:
4 oz white port wine
.5 oz lemon juice
4 oz Top Note Indian Tonic or Bitter Lemon Tonic
Optional 2 dashes bitters of your choice
Garnish: fresh citrus and herbs
Stir ingredients together with ice and garnish.
]]>Espresso & Tonic Recipe:
2 oz freshly-brewed espresso or cold brew concentrate
6 oz Top Note Indian Tonic Water
Optional 3 dashes orange bitters
Garnish: fresh citrus
Pour the Indian Tonic into an ice-filled glass, then slowly pour in the coffee. Garnish.
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Americano Recipe:
1.5 oz Campari
1.5 oz sweet vermouth
Top Note Club Soda No. 1, to top
Optional 3 dashes orange bitters
Garnish: orange slice
Stir ingredients together with ice and garnish.
]]>Made from all Wisconsin based makers, our friends @sirenshrubs made this one a fun change up for Valentines day.
2 Tablespoons @fedupfoodswi Cranberry Sauce
1 oz @Sirenshrubs Basic Shrub
0.5 oz @tappedmaplesyrup Blueberry
2 -3 Dashes Bittercube Orange Bitters
1/4 oz Lime juice
Top with Top Note Club Soda
Shake the first ingredients up for 30 seconds with ice. Strain into a glass and add Top Note Club. Cherry Garnish
]]>
When asked about the inspiration behind this highball, Kirk laughed and proclaimed that he’d “made it around Valentine’s Day” and that it reminded him of his ex, so it’s fitting that he named it the Bitter Sweetheart!
Be sure to check out our Q&A with Kirk and follow Royal Rose Syrups on Instagram for more cocktail inspiration.
Kirk Jones’s Bitter Sweetheart Highball Recipe:
1.5 oz gin
.5 oz Campari
.5 oz Dry Curaçao
.75 oz Royal Rose Organic Raspberry Syrup
1/2 oz lime juice
Top Note Club Soda No. 1, to top
Shake all ingredients except the club soda in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Strain into an ice-filled highball glass, top with club soda, and stir.
]]>From uncertain origins to a hundred years of experimentation, the Negroni has contributed more than its fair share to the cocktail world, and the Mezcal Negroni is one of our favorites.
Few cocktails have impacted the drinking world in the same way as the Negroni. Bitter, rich, savory, and elegantly simple, the Negroni has inspired innovation across the globe since its inception. As a result, today, there are nearly countless variations on the classic cocktail, each bringing a new element to the bargoer’s senses. However, one interpretation of the Negroni stands out as one of the most ordered and most enjoyed amongst its many contemporaries; the Mezcal Negroni.
Like so many of our favorite cocktails, the exact birth of the Negroni is not explicitly known. However, most cocktail scholars point to one story, which is the most likely origin of the cocktail. In 1919 at a bar called Caffè Casoni in Florence, Italy, the bartender Fosco Scarselli created the drink at the request of Pascal Olivier Count de Negroni. The story tells that Count Negroni wanted the soda water in his Americano substituted with Gin; Scarselli complied while also adding orange garnish instead of lemon, and thus the Negroni was born. It was a perfect 3 part cocktail made from Gin, Sweet Vermouth, and Campari. (The Americano cockatil is Vermouth, Campari, and Soda Water.) Later, the Negroni family created a distillery (which is still open to this day!) and distributed a ready-made version of the drink called the Antico Negroni 1919.
The Negroni’s simplicity has lent it to constant experimentation; this has resulted in a massive number of variations to spring up over the years, with some of the most popular being:
The Boulevardier — This is a sweeter and warmer take on the Negroni with rye whiskey instead of Gin.
The Cardinale — This variation is dryer and spicier by substituting sweet vermouth for dry and Campari for Contratto.
The Ol’ Pal — This cocktail was invented in the prohibition era 1920s and substitutes rye whiskey for gin and dry vermouth instead of sweet vermouth.
Using Tonic Water instead of Campari or other bitter liqueur. Yes, the idea of swapping the primary spirit was never questioned in the Negroni, but the new era of tonic water and mixers means you can swap out the bitter component too. We recognize there are many options, but the best bar none for this cocktail is Top Note Tonic's Gentiana. It is made with the same bitters as Campari, and therefore makes a suitable substitute. But more importantly, the tonic water can help create a more mild (in alcohol) drink, and therefore lend itself to drinking as a pre-dinner or afternoon cocktail.
One of our favorite takes is the Mezcal Negroni. It is made by, as the name suggests, substituting the Gin for Mezcal; doing so creates an outstanding balance from the smokiness of the Mezcal complementing the bitterness of the Campari and the Sweetness of the Vermouth; it also makes the cocktail more palatable for general bargoers because it is less abrasive than the standard Negroni.
1 oz. Mezcal (we recommend Del Maguey Vida)
1 oz. Campari or 1.5 oz Top Note Gentiana Tonic
1 oz. Sweet Vermouth (We recommend Cocchi Storico)
1 Orange Twist for Garnish
Ice
Add Mezcal, Campari or Top Note, and Vermouth to a mixing glass with ice.
Stir well (this may take some time)
Strain into a glass with a single, large ice cube.
Add orange twist.
The Mezcal Negroni is a refreshing take on a classic cocktail, but some may find the taste to be a bit harsh, if that is the case we recommend adding a dash of our Top Note Tonic Club Soda; this adds a refreshing spritz to your cocktail while still maintaining the pronounced flavors. If you want to browse some of our top quality artisan mixers for your at home bar you can view our entire product catalog here.
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Gin Sonic Recipe:
1.5 oz Suntory Roku Gin
2.25 oz Top Note Club Soda No. 1
2.25 oz Top Note Classic Tonic
Garnish: expressed lemon twist
Stir all ingredients together in an ice-filled highball glass and garnish.
]]>Ingredients
3-5 Blueberries
3 Leaves Basil (try a Thai basil for extra spice)
1.5 oz Vodka
4 oz Ginger Beer
Directions
Muddle Blueberries, Basil and Vodka together in a shaker. Add 2 cubes ice. Shake for 20 seconds and strain liquid off into your mule cups. Add crushed ice and Ginger Beer.
Garish with Basil, Cucumber and Blueberries on a toothpick.
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Recipe:
The Vermouth Cassis is a simple cocktail to prepare; you only need a jigger, glass, and pairing knife.
Ingredients:
1.5 OZ of Dry Vermouth (We recommend Dolin Dry Vermouth)
0.5 OZ of Creme De La Cassis (We recommend Lejay Creme de Cassis)
Top Note Tonic Club Soda To Taste / To Top
1 Lemon Twist
(Optional but highly recommended) Skewered Blueberries or Mint for Garnish
*Note - We highly recommend using small, single-use, bottles of Vermouth when making cocktails; this is because once opened, Vermouth will begin to go bad and gain an off taste after about one month, two to three if stored in a refrigerator. This can lead to the cocktail being less than pleasant, so freshly opened Vermouth is a must for optimal taste and freshness!
Preparation:
Add ice, Vermouth, and the Creme de la Cassis to a glass, followed by the club soda. Gently stir, and add the lemon twist with blueberries or mint for garnish and enjoy!
]]>This simple sipper is perfect for when you crave the spice of a Whiskey Ginger and the warmth of an Old Fashioned.
Spooky Season Recipe:
2 oz Whiskey
.5 oz Top Note Ginger Beer Reduction*
3 dashes Aromatic Bitters
Garnish: dehydrated orange wheel
Stir all ingredients together with ice to chill, strain into a rocks glass with one big ice cube and garnish.
*Ginger Beer Reduction: Combine 1 bottle of Top Note Ginger Beer and ½ cup sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat and let simmer for 15 minutes or until reduced by half. Remove from heat and let cool. Keep refrigerated.
]]>A classic Prohibition-era cocktail, the Bees Knees is traditionally shaken and served up, but we also love adding a bit of carbonation to liven it up and lengthen it out from time to time. In this variation, we combine a smooth barrel-aged gin with our ultra bubbly Club Soda No. 1 for a sweet, smoky and effervescent refresher.
Barrel & Bumble Recipe:
2 oz Barrel-Aged Gin
.75 oz Lemon Juice
.5 oz Honey Simple Syrup
Top Note Club Soda No. 1, to top
Garnish: lemon wheel
Stir all ingredients together in an ice-filled Collins glass and garnish.
]]>Bolder than a Moscow Mule and with a bigger kick than a Whiskey Ginger, this simple cocktail holds nothing back in the flavor department.
Kentucky Mule Recipe:
2 oz Bourbon
.5 oz Lime Juice
4 oz Top Note Ginger Beer
Garnish: Lime Wedge, Fresh Mint
Stir all ingredients together in an ice-filled Mule mug or highball glass and garnish.
]]>This classic needs no introduction! We love Mules for their simplicity but the mug really makes the drink feel special.
Moscow Mule Recipe:
2 oz Vodka
.5 oz Lime Juice
4 oz Top Note Ginger Beer
Garnish: Lime Wheel
Stir all ingredients together in an ice-filled Mule mug or highball glass and garnish.
]]>Quench your thirst with this refreshing coffee-spiked Paloma. We recommend substituting part or all of the tequila with mezcal for a smoky spin!
Paloma Negra Recipe:
2 oz Tequila
1 oz Coffee Liqueur
1 oz Grapefruit Juice
3 oz Top Note Sparkling Grapefruit Soda
Garnish: Grapefruit Slice, Salt-Rimmed Glass (optional)
Rim a glass with lime or grapefruit and salt (optional) and fill with ice. Add all ingredients to your prepared glass, stir and garnish.
]]>Our Indian Tonic Water is the perfect match for both coffee and amaro, so why not combine them into one deliciously low-proof cocktail? Customize the recipe by using your favorite coffee and amaro - so many combinations to try! Here’s a few suggestions to get you started:
Dark Roast Espresso Blend & Amaro Montenegro: smoky, chocolatey, sweet vanilla
Medium Roast Cold Brew Blend & Amaro Nardini: minty, chocolatey, smooth
Light Roast Ethiopian Coffee & Zucca: fruity, floral, bright
Chicory Coffee & Averna: nutty, herbaceous, licorice
Coffee & Amaro Tonic Recipe:
2 oz Cold Brew Coffee or Espresso
1 oz Italian Amaro
3 oz Top Note Indian Tonic Water
Garnish: Orange Wedge
Add Tonic Water and Amaro to an ice-filled glass, then slowly pour in coffee. Garnish and enjoy.
]]>Our low-proof spin on the Shoeless Joe coffee cocktail is nothing short of a home run!
Shoeless Josephine Recipe:
2 oz Cold Brew Coffee or Espresso
1 oz Cherry Liqueur
4 oz Top Note Ginger Beer
Garnish: Cocktail Cherry
Stir all ingredients together in a glass with ice and garnish.
]]>Can’t decide between coffee or a cocktail? Now you can have both! Any spirit will work fabulously in this recipe: try clear spirits like blanco tequila, pisco, and white rum for a lighter, fruitier cocktail and dark spirits like reposado tequila, whiskey, and aged rum for a smooth and smoky cocktail.
Spiked Coffee Tonic Recipe:
2 oz Spirit of Choice
2 oz Cold Brew Coffee or Espresso
.5 oz Simple Syrup, optional
2 oz Top Note Indian Tonic Water
Add Tonic Water, syrup and spirit of choice to an ice-filled glass, then slowly pour in coffee. Garnish if desired.
]]>This warming whiskey-tonic cocktail is reminiscent of both the Boulevardier and Negroni. Bitter and spirit-forward with enough of a citrus backbone to keep it from feeling too heavy, the Pen Pal is one to sip year-round.
Pen Pal Recipe:
1.5 oz rye
1.5 oz dry vermouth
2 oz Top Note Gentiana Tonic Water
Garnish: lemon slice
Stir all ingredients together in an ice-filled rocks glass and garnish.
]]>Ever wonder what would happen if a Paloma got together with a Hemingway Daiquiri? The Disco Nap does not disappoint!
Disco Nap Recipe:
2 oz blanco tequila
.75 oz simple syrup
.5 oz lime juice
.5 oz grapefruit juice
3 oz Top Note Gentiana Tonic Water
Garnish: fresh rosemary, orange wheel and/or twist
Combine all ingredients except Tonic Water in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into an ice-filled glass. Top with Tonic Water, stir and garnish.
]]>Calling all Negroni lovers, this one's for you. Following an equal parts formula and adding a dash of absinthe for depth, this tonic cocktail is warming and bitter with hints of anise and citrus.
Birds Of A Feather Recipe:
1 oz London dry gin
1 oz sweet vermouth
1 dash absinthe
1 oz Top Note Gentiana Tonic Water
Garnish: orange peel
Stir all ingredients together in an ice-filled rocks glass and garnish.
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