There’s something so refreshing about a crisp, bubbly drink on a warm day. Tonic water, with its characteristic effervescence and slightly bitter taste, is a versatile base that can be enjoyed on its own or used to enhance other beverages. In this recipe, we’ll explore how to make your own homemade tonic water, allowing you to customize the flavors and adjust the sweetness to suit your preferences.
Tonic Water
Ingredients:
– 4 cups water
– Zest of 2 small lemons
– Zest of 1 small orange
– 1 tablespoon citric acid
– 1 tablespoon lemongrass, chopped
– 1 tablespoon quinine powder
– 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
– 1 cup sugar
– Sparkling water, to serve
– Ice cubes
– Fresh lemon or orange slices, for garnish
Instructions:
1. In a saucepan, combine the water, lemon zest, orange zest, citric acid, lemongrass, quinine powder, and sea salt. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally.
2. Once simmering, cover the saucepan and let the ingredients infuse for about 20 minutes. This will allow the flavors to meld together and create a fragrant base for your tonic water.
3. After 20 minutes, strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean bowl. Discard the solids and return the liquid back to the saucepan.
4. Add sugar to the infused liquid and stir well until completely dissolved. Let the mixture cool to room temperature.
5. Once cooled, transfer the tonic syrup into a clean, sterilized glass bottle or jar. Store it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
6. To serve, fill a glass with ice cubes and pour 1 part tonic syrup over the ice. Top it off with 3 parts sparkling water and gently stir to combine.
7. Garnish with fresh lemon or orange slices for an extra burst of citrus flavor.
Enjoy your homemade tonic water on its own as a refreshing mocktail, or use it as a mixer for your favorite cocktails like G&Ts or vodka tonics. The beauty of making your own tonic water is that you can control the ingredients, customize the sweetness level, and experiment with different flavor variations to create a truly unique beverage tailored to your taste buds.
By crafting your tonic water at home, you can elevate your drinking experience and impress your guests with a special touch of homemade goodness. So, the next time you’re in the mood for a cool and bubbly drink, shake up a batch of this DIY tonic water and savor the satisfaction of creating something delightful from scratch. Cheers to enjoying the simple pleasures of life, one sip at a time!
