Tonic

"The classic Champagne Cocktail (bitters, sugar, sparkling wine) is one of my favorite drinks. It's delicious, celebratory, and so easy. Often it's finished with an expression of lemon over the top, and I like mine with just a drop of absinthe on top as well. This highball uses the tonic water to achieve the sparkle and the light bitter-sweet flavor of a Champagne Cocktail, along with tonic's best friend gin, a lemon cordial to amplify the lemon accent, and a touch of absinthe (optional), my preferred finish to the drink." - Rachel Miller

Rachel Miller's Gin & Tonic Recipe:

1 oz gin

.5 oz lemon cordial*

4 oz Top Note Classic Tonic Water

2-3 drops absinthe

Garnish: expressed lemon peel

Stir gin, cordial and tonic together in an ice-filled highball glass, finish with absinthe, and garnish.

*Lemon Cordial: Zest two lemons and set the zest aside. Juice the lemons and heat the juice in a pan with an equal amount, by volume, of white sugar. Bring the lemon juice and sugar to a boil, then immediately remove from heat and pour over the zest. Allow to cool and steep at least ten minutes, then strain well. Yields ~4oz cordial (multiply the recipe as needed for more cordial). Stored in the fridge, it will last for weeks.

All aboard the matcha train!

If you’re new to matcha, this recipe is a great place to start! Think of it like a sparkling Arnold Palmer made with green tea instead of black.

If you’re already an avid matcha fan but haven’t tried it in a carbonated drink yet, prepare to be wowed!

Matcha Tonic Recipe:

1 tsp matcha powder

2 oz hot water

1 oz simple syrup

1 oz lemon juice

2 oz Top Note Indian Tonic

Garnish: fresh lemon slice

Whisk the matcha, simple syrup and hot water together until frothy. Set aside for a moment while you fill a glass with ice, lemon juice and Indian Tonic. Top with the matcha mixture, stir, and garnish.

Have you experimented with shrubs?

Shrubs are made from vinegar, fruits and sugar and can be sipped on their own or used in a variety of recipes. Their bright acidity and complex sweetness are perfect for mixing into unique and exciting zero-proof drinks.

Maple Hibiscus Spritz Recipe:

.75 oz lime juice

.5 oz simple syrup

1 oz Siren Shrub Co. Maple Ginger Shrub

4 oz Top Note Indian Tonic Water

Garnish: fresh or dehydrated citrus

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

Hibiscus Tea Ice Cubes: Brew a batch of hibiscus tea and let cool to room temperature. Pour the tea into an ice cube tray and place the tray in the freezer until fully frozen.

Spiced Vodka Tonic Recipe:

2 oz spiced vodka*

4 oz Top Note Classic Tonic

Optional: simple syrup, to taste

Garnish: fresh orange peel

Stir ingredients together in a glass with ice and garnish.

*Spiced Vodka: add 2 crushed cardamom pods and 2 tsp whole cloves to a jar and top with 8 oz vodka. Let steep for 2 days, then strain out the spices and enjoy.

Enter: the Gin Sonic. Nope, not a typo. It’s what you get when you mix Japanese Roku Gin with equal parts tonic water and club soda. We love the simple elegance and balance of this cocktail and we’re betting you will, too.

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.

Thanks to innovative companies like Seedlip, zero-proof brand are finding their rightful place among the world of craft spirits.

Seedlip's Garden & Tonic Recipe:

1.75 oz Seedlip Garden 108

4.25 oz Top Note Indian Tonic

Garnish: fresh cucumber, lemon peel, and rosemary

Stir ingredients together with ice and garnish.

If you're in the mood for a lighter and brighter after-dinner drink, try an Amaro Tonic. Popular in Venice where the heat and the close quarters of summer tourists can be overwhelming, we decided to name this one the Venetian Mask.

Venetian Mask Recipe:

1.75 oz amaro*

3-4 oz Top Note Indian Tonic

Stir ingredients together in a Collins glass or Copa de Balon and garnish.

*We especially like Cardamaro or Amaro Nonino, but any amaro will do! Take the opportunity to highlight the flavors of your chosen amaro with your garnish.

Pisco, a distilled grape brandy from South America, makes for an excellent match against the heat of summer.

Pisco & Tonic Recipe:

1.5 oz Catan Pisco

3 oz Top Note Indian Tonic

Garnish: fresh mint and red grapes

Stir ingredients together in an ice-filled wine or Collins glass 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

Garnish: seasonal fruits and/or herbs

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