“Homemade Tonic Water”
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Cook Time45 minutes mins
Total Time50 minutes mins
Servings: 1 cup tonic syrup
- 4 cups water
- 1 cup chopped lemon grass about 2 stalks
- 1 cup raw sugar evaporated cane juice, or white sugar
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 cup powdered cinchona bark (1/8 cup for a less "barky" flavor)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Zest of 1 lime
- 1 teaspoon allspice powder
- 1 bottle seltzer water
Combine all of the ingredients except the seltzer water in a pot and bring them to a boil. Reduce the heat and let the liquid simmer for about 45 minutes until reduced and slightly thickened.
Strain the liquid though a fine strainer and discard the solids. Then pass the liquid through some cheesecloth into a storage container.
To use the syrup mix it with the seltzer water in a ratio of 3:1. Then combine it with gin, vodka, or whatever you please in a ratio of about 4:1 or whatever suits your taste. Garnish with a lime and squeeze some of that juice in there to finish.