Bitter Lemon Tonic Water

At Top Note, Non-Alcoholic cocktails are a trend we have long been a part of. As cocktail makers seek to add novelty and newness to their menus, mixers are often looked upon as a key differentiator because when it comes to making NA cocktails, it is almost a given that a better quality mixer or spirit-free liquid will be involved. Gone are the Shirley Temple days. Now we have a new generation of cocktail enthusiasts striving for viscosity, flavor, and depth in the NA drink. 

Here are a few trends to try this January.

1. Incorporate coffee or tea

Top Note has been sold in multiple coffee houses since 2019, and we see the trend of cocktailing in coffee houses on the rise. The opposite is also true, where coffee is being used as an ingredient in higher end NA drinks. the mash-up is a marvel. Coffee brings acidity, and bitterness to a drink. Our favorite recipes are the classic E&T, a Matcha tea dream, and a Pineapple beauty,

2. Keeping the sugar low

Sugary drinks are on the rise with non-alcoholic imbibing. We noticed this in our NA tastings with multiple vendors. Better bartenders are lowering sugar but keeping flavor, by using tricks like Monkfruit. It can be incorporated as a means to add a flavor boost, sweetness, and no calories. Our mid-calorie soft drinks make perfect enhancements to drinks without all the sugar for this reason. Other tricks include lower sugar coconut water, or using a fruit juice that has been concentrated. Check out our Ginger Beer and Coconut Water recipe here.

3. Use a shrub or smash your own

Shrubs have a ton of flavor density and real viscosity that adds body. We love a shrub tonic, but sometimes a little goes a long way. Instead, a simple smash or crush of savory ingredients can do the trick with a well made tonic like Top Note.

We were invited to make cocktails for Festa Italiana. We found a way to incorporate all the flavors we make into 5 unique drinks.

Check out this link!

This simple classic Portuguese apéritif is perfect for happy hour. No fancy bar tools necessary!

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.

The Spanish G&T is all about the garnish. The possibilities are endless, but the idea is to choose garnishes that complement both the gin and the tonic.

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.

Photo by @steph.achter

Make this mimosa riff at your next brunch gathering for a zero-proof companion to clear minds and clean plates.

Spiced Orange Spritz Recipe:

1.5 oz Royal Rose Cardamom Clove Syrup

1 oz lemon juice

2 oz orange juice

3 oz Top Note Bitter Lemon Tonic Water, chilled

Garnish: star anise, freshly-grated cinnamon

Stir all ingredients together in a chilled flute glass and garnish.

The zero-proof Shirley Temple has many variations, but ultimately it’s reputation as a cloyingly sweet pink drink made exclusively for kids prevails across each one.

In this recipe, we’ve updated the classic for kids AND kids at heart. We’ve eliminated the sugary soda, upped the acidity, and added a bitter element all while keeping the original flavor profile front and center.

Whatever you do, don’t skimp on the cherries!

Grown-Up Shirley Temple Recipe:

.75 oz grenadine

.5 oz lime juice

4.25 oz Top Note Club Soda No. 1

2.5 oz Top Note Bitter Lemon Tonic Water

1 tsp maraschino cherry juice

Garnish: maraschino cherries

Stir all ingredients together in a glass filled with ice and garnish.

A G&T with a bittersweet Spanish twist.

I'm Not Bitter, You're Bitter Recipe:

1.5 oz Spanish gin

.25 oz Spanish vermouth

4 oz Top Note Bitter Lemon Tonic Water

Garnish: seasonal fruits and/or herbs

Stir ingredients together in a Copa de Balon or other wine glass and garnish as desired.

This fall-forward recipe is spiced deeply enough for even the most diehard of PSL fans, yet refreshing and bright enough for those who tend to be turned off by all things pumpkin-flavored.

Fallin' For You Recipe:

1.5 oz Great Lakes Distillery Seasonal Pumpkin Spirit

.5 oz allspice dram

3 oz Top Note Bitter Lemon Tonic Water

Garnish: expressed lemon peel

Rum & Tonic may not be as well-known as some other classic highballs, but this underdog is surprisingly delicious and can be enjoyed in a multitude of combinations. See below for our suggestions, but you do you!

Rum & Tonic Recipe:

2 oz rum*

4 oz tonic*

Garnish: fresh citrus

Stir ingredients together in an ice-filled glass and garnish.

*Rum and Tonic Pairings:

• Dark Rum + Classic Tonic Water
• White Rum + Bitter Lemon Tonic Water
• Rhum Agricole + Indian Tonic Water