This is the glorious result of my first ever attempt at making my own tonic syrup. It tastes delicious — better than nearly any other tonic I’ve had. The chinchona bark I started with is a bit more floral than I’d prefer, but I have a few other kinds on order to play with.
I followed Jeffrey Morgenthaler’s basic recipe, and it couldn’t have been easier. First, I pulverized the chinchona bark in a coffee mill. Then I added it to a sauce pan with water, citric acid, salt, allspice berries, and the zest and juice of a lemon, lime, and orange (I had no lemongrass, but will next time). Brought to a boil, simmered covered for 20 minutes, and then strained through cheese cloth and a french press.
Once strained, I reheated and incorporated the agave syrup. The taste is bitter, tart, sweet, and awesome. I don’t have any seltzer or sparkling water on hand, but that’s fine. My first goal was to recreate the fine Tonique Gin cocktail Ed made for me at Bar Tonique in New Orleans last year. Mission accomplished! I used 3/4 oz. tonic syrup, 1 1/2 oz. gin, stirred with ice. Delicious.
Was I ever wrong. I always felt ripped off when I bought tonic water since I was thinking it was a bit of bitter carbonated water. Instead of color, flavor, syrup etc… Next time I get some tonic water I will see the bargain it is.
Looks like it was a fun ride making your own!
Haha, that’s pretty much what I thought Alan. There are a couple of large brands who make low quality stuff with high fructose corn syrup in them, I don’t love those. Then there are specialty brands that are more natural and taste much better, such as Q Tonic and Fever Tree. But those don’t have as much flavor and tune-ability as this labor intensive process!