A New Trend in Coffee – The Cafe Tonic

Last Updated on July 17, 2024 by Leah Hall

An interesting combo of flavors in this coffee and tonic water combo!

When we first read about this combination of coffee and tonic on Tasting Table, we thought it sounded so crazy that we just had to try it, especially when we found out it is a trend that is sweeping the coffee houses in San Francisco. The combination of bubbly tonic and the bitter espresso combine to make a drink that is complex and surprisingly refreshing.

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What is a Coffee Tonic?

What Ingredients are Needed for the Cafe Tonic?

• espresso
• tonic water
• simple syrup (optional, more info below!)

What Other Ingredients can be Used in A Coffee Tonic?

• Garnishes: maraschino cherries or pomegranate arils, lemon slices or rosemary
• a dash of lemon juice can be added, or a splash of orange juice
• Make it spiked: feel free to add some booze in this if you like! Gin would be lovely (Gin & Tonic, duh) or a coffee liqueur to compliment the coffee flavors would be great!

What Tonic Should be used in the Coffee and Tonic?

Of course, it’s completely up to you, but we encourage you to use a higher quality tonic, such as Fever Tree. Feel free to play around with flavored tonics too, see what you like!

Making a Coffee Tonic at Home

• Use fruitier beans (like Ethiopian) if possible. They pair well with the citrusy taste of the tonic water. If you choose a Latin American blend that will mean a nuttier, more chocolate flavored coffee, which can be ok with tonic, but maybe less tonic.
• A cold brew concentrate may be easier to use than espresso or regular cold brew.If you are using regular cold brew, use less tonic and maybe more coffee.
• Always pour the tonic first for less mess, as it can bubble over!

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Other Tonic Water Cocktails

• Cranberry Lime Non-Alcoholic Gin and Tonic
• Pine Gin and Tonic
• Lavender Collins
• Fall Gin and Tonic

It makes a cool layered drink that is visually appealing! Try a warm coffee cocktail with our Nutty Irishman!

Cheers!

Like this recipe? Try these below, too!

Cold Brew Bourbon

Roast and Toast Cocktail

Other Coffee Cocktails

• Long Island Iced Coffee – Whitney Bond
• Boozy Iced Coffee – The Wanderlust Kitchen
• Affogato Coffee Dessert
• Mint Irish Iced Coffee Cocktail – Home Cooking Memories
• Irish Whiskey Coffee

Continue to Content

Yield: 1

The Coffee Tonic

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

A new trend in coffee - the cafe tonic is an interesting combination of espresso and tonic water.

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Ingredients

Coffee Tonic

• Simple Syrup to taste
• 2 ounces espresso
• 6 ounces tonic water

Instructions

Add ice cubes and tonic water into a glass. Slowly pour the espresso over the ice and tonic, allowing the tonic to mix the espresso and make a creamy bitter layer on top.

Gently stir to mix and if needed add a dash of simple syrup to make it a bit sweeter.

Notes

We recommend Fever Tree tonic water. You can also use a cold brew concentrate instead of espresso.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Libbey 10.5-ounce Irish Coffee Mug, 4-piece Set
• 
  Fever-Tree Premium Indian Tonic Water, 6.8 Ounce Glass Bottles

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

1

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 59Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 28mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 0gSugar: 15gProtein: 0g

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