Espresso Tonic Ingredients | Sur La Table

Start with coffee you enjoy as espresso, then consider how its flavor will pair with tonic’s bittersweet character. Fruity tasting notes can complement a cherry-inspired drink, while chocolate notes offer a different direction to explore. Choose coffee in a format compatible with your brewing setup. For the tonic component, distinguish between ready-to-pour tonic water and concentrated tonic syrup, which needs sparkling water to create a bubbly base. Follow the syrup’s mixing directions first, then adjust the balance of prepared tonic and espresso to suit your taste. More tonic makes a lighter, longer drink, while more espresso brings the coffee forward. Cherries in syrup offer a simple way to personalize an espresso tonic without changing its essential ingredients. Use a cherry as a garnish or stir a little of its syrup into the tonic base for fruit flavor and sweetness. Simple syrup is another option if you want extra sweetness without adding cherry flavor. Because tonic and cherries in syrup already contribute sweetness, taste before adding more. Change one ingredient at a time so you can find the balance you like, whether that means a subtle cherry accent or a more fruit-forward drink. Keep the tonic or sparkling water chilled and add ice just before serving.