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4.73 from 18 votes

Homemade Tonic Water for the Ultimate Gin and Tonic

Note: Penn Herb Co. is a great, and economical, source of Cinchona Bark. For the other ingredients, look in the bulk spice area of your local grocery or health food store.
Note: Dry ingredients are listed by weight, liquid ingredients are listed by volume.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Drinks
Keyword: 4th of July
Servings: 96 servings
Author: Marissa Stevens

Ingredients

  • 3 cups water (675 ml)
  • ¼ cup chopped cinchona bark (1 ounce / 28 grams)
  • ¼ cup citric acid (2.2 ounces / 62 grams)
  • 3 limes peeled zests only (0.4 ounce / 11 grams)
  • 3 lemons peeled zests only (0.5 ounce / 14 grams)
  • 2 oranges peeled zests only (0.5 ounce / 14 grams)
  • 3 stalks lemongrass tops and bottoms trimmed and outer leaves removed then sliced into 1/8" to 1/4" rounds (2.5 ounces / 71 grams)
  • 4 whole allspice berries
  • 3 whole green cardamom pods
  • 1 tablespoon lavender
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

Rich Simple Syrup

  • 3 cups natural cane sugar (21 ounces / 600 grams)
  • 1 1/2 cups water (355 ml)

You'll also need:

  • Lime wedges
  • Sparkling water

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients except rich simple syrup in a sterilized, one-quart lidded glass jar. Shake to combine. Refrigerate 72 hours, shaking occasionally, at least once per day.
  • Make rich simple syrup: dissolve 3 cups sugar in 1 1/2 cups water over medium heat until sugar is completely dissolved. Allow to cool. Transfer to a container and refrigerate.
  • After 72 hours, strain tonic mixture into a large glass pitcher. Strain tonic a second time, using a coffee filter or very fine cheesecloth.
  • Whisk simple syrup into tonic until thoroughly combined.
  • Pour tonic syrup through a funnel into storage bottles and store in the refrigerator.

For the Ultimate Gin & Tonic

  • Fill a highball glass with ice. Add 1 tablespoon tonic syrup, 2 ounces gin, and 2 ounces sparkling water. Stir to combine. Serve with a lime wedge (about 1/6 of a fresh lime). To drink: squeeze the lime wedge into the drink, then drop it in. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

Carefully wash citrus fruits and lemongrass before zesting / chopping.

Nutrition

Calories: 26kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 7mg | Potassium: 17mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 10IU | Vitamin C: 3.9mg | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 0.1mg

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