Spring & Summer

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

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.

Complex and herbaceous, this low-proof cocktail is perfect for spritz fans looking for a tropical-inspired twist.

Summer Crush Recipe:

1 oz Campari

.25 oz lime juice

2 oz Top Note Gentiana Tonic Water

Garnish: orange wheel

Fill a glass with crushed ice and add Tonic Water. Add Campari, lime juice and cubed ice to a cocktail shaker and shake until chilled. Strain into glass and garnish.

If you love Palomas as much as we do, you’re definitely going to want to try this simple spiced twist with Spice Note’s Cinnamon Tequila.

Be sure to check out our Q&A with Sheetal and keep up with them on Instagram.

Sheetal Bhagat’s Spice Note Sparkling Paloma Recipe:

1.5 oz Spice Note Cinnamon Tequila

1.5 oz fresh grapefruit juice

.5 oz fresh lime juice

.5 oz simple syrup

Top Note Sparkling Grapefruit Soda, to top

Garnish: lime wheel

Add all ingredients except Soda to a shaker with ice and shake well. Pour into a Collins glass filled with ice, top with Soda and garnish.

While the Sea Breeze might evoke images of spring break circa 1985, this lightened-up version is rooted firmly in the present day - and still just as perfect for beachside sipping!

Sea Breeze Spritz Recipe:

1.5 oz vodka

1.5 oz unsweetened cranberry juice

3 oz Top Note Sparkling Grapefruit Soda

Garnish: grapefruit wedges

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

In this spirit-free take on the classic Dark ‘n Stormy cocktail, espresso tags in for rum for a deep and spicy brew that’s sure to tickle your tropical itch.

Stormy Weather Recipe:

2 oz freshly brewed espresso or cold brew concentrate

5 oz Top Note Ginger Beer

Garnish: lime wedge

Add Ginger Beer to an ice-filled glass, then slowly pour in the coffee. Garnish.

This low-ABV spritz is an “easy, sessionable, lightly bitter, super refreshing drink,” says Wollersheim Distillery bar manager Matt Hiel.

Be sure to check out our Q&A with Matt and keep up with him on Instagram.

Matt Hiel’s Featherweight Recipe:

3 oz Wollersheim White Vermouth

2 oz Top Note Sparkling Grapefruit Soda

1 oz Top Note Club Soda No. 1

1 dash Rhubarb Bitters

Garnish: grapefruit slice

Add bitters, followed by Club Soda, Vermouth and lastly Grapefruit Soda to an oversized wine glass filled with ice. Briefly stir to combine and garnish.

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

This highball is earthy, tart and complex: the perfect year-round sipper!

Be sure to check out our Q&A with Bridgit and follow Dampfwerk Distilling on Instagram for the latest distillery news.

Image credit: Bridgit Loeffelholz

Bridgit Loeffelholz’s Grapefruit & Aquavit Highball Recipe:

1.5 oz Dampfwerk Aquavit

.75 oz dry vermouth

.75 oz grapefruit juice

.25 oz grapefruit oleo saccharum or simple syrup

2 drops saline, optional

1 drop lavender bitters, optional

Top Note Sparkling Grapefruit Soda, to top

Garnish: grapefruit slice and fresh thyme

Short shake all ingredients except Soda together with ice and strain into a highball glass. Top with Soda, stir, and garnish.

Add some flair to the classic gin & tonic with a splash of tropical citrus! Enjoy this lower-ABV refresher on the rocks or straight-up like Alyssa. She uses a small mason jar, but a coupe or champagne glass would work just as well.

Be sure to check out our Q&A with Alyssa and follow her on Instagram for the latest updates on her distilling adventures.

Image credit: Alyssa Hughes

Alyssa Hughes's Pineapple Gin & Tonic Recipe:

1.5 oz gin

1.5 oz pineapple juice

1 dash Orange Bitters

Top Note Classic Tonic, to top

Garnish: Manderin orange peel

Stir all ingredients together in a glass with ice (or skip the ice as per Alyssa’s preference!) and garnish.