Brunch

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.

Photo by @steph.achter

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 jalapeño-infused tequila

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.

Photo by @steph.achter

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.

Give your coffee routine a European twist! This Espresso & Tonic variation combines two classic Italian libations - espresso and the Spritz cocktail. Perfect for summer sipping and fancy brunching.

Caffè Spritz Recipe:

2 oz freshly brewed espresso or cold brew concentrate

5 oz Top Note Bitter Lemon Tonic Water

Garnish: orange wedge

Add Tonic Water to an ice-filled glass (we like a wine glass for an authentic Italian Spritz experience, but any glass will do), then slowly pour in the coffee. Garnish.

Who says Mule mugs are reserved solely for vodka? Kick back with this simple, caffeinated twist on the classic!

Espresso Mule Recipe:

2 oz freshly-brewed espresso or cold brew concentrate

.5 oz lime juice

3 oz Top Note Ginger Beer

Garnish: lime wheel

Fill a copper Mule mug* with crushed or cubed ice. Add the juice and Ginger Beer, then slowly pour in the espresso or coffee. Garnish.

*If you don’t happen to have Mule mugs on hand, any other glass works just as well!

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.

 Photo @somethingandtonic