Bitters
selecting one of the beverage styles below. DOWNLOAD RECIPES
Spanish G&T
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.
Bitters | Brunch | Indian Tonic Water | Low-Proof | Rum | Spring & Summer
Jungle Bird Tonic
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.
And the Beet Goes On
An earthy and refreshing non-alcoholic spritz inspired by Montrio Bistro in Monterey, CA.
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.
Bitters | Brunch | Coffee | Non-Alcoholic | Spring & Summer
Pineapple Espresso & Tonic
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.
Jon East's Chai Highball
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.
White Port & Tonic
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.
Espresso & Tonic
The freshest, fizziest way to enjoy your favorite coffee!
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.
Americano
Rumored to be the Negroni's predecessor, the Americano has become a classic in its own right.
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.
Nick Kokonas’s Something & Tonic
The drink that launched dozens of Something & Tonic’s that would make their way into Nick Kokonas’s first book. Be sure to check out our Q&A with Nick, keep up with him on Instagram, and order a copy of Something & Tonic!
Nick Kokonas’s Something & Tonic Recipe:
1.5 oz Letherbee Gin
1 oz Ancho Reyes (or 3 dashes mole bitters + 1/2 oz simple syrup)
.5 oz lime juice
.5 oz rosemary simple syrup*
Top Note Classic Tonic Water, to top
Garnish: rosemary sprig
Add all ingredients except Tonic Water to a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a Collins glass with ice. Top with Tonic Water, lift ice with a bar spoon to incorporate, and garnish.
*Rosemary Simple Syrup
1 cup (250 grams) white sugar
1 cup (250 grams) water
3-4 (5 grams) fresh rosemary sprigs
Combine all of the ingredients into a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, remove it from the heat and let the rosemary steep for 15 minutes. Remove the rosemary and allow the syrup to come to room temperature before storing it in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Syrup can be stored for 2-3 weeks.
Spirit-Free Recipe:
2 slices jalapeno or favorite fresh chili
1 oz lime juice
1 oz rosemary simple syrup*
Top Note Classic Tonic Water, to top
Garnish: rosemary sprig, lime wheel
Add lime, rosemary syrup, and two slices of chili to a shaker with ice. Shake hard and strain into a Collins glass with ice. Top with tonic water, lift ice with a bar spoon to incorporate, and garnish.