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“Homemade Tonic Water”

Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Servings: 1 cup tonic syrup

Ingredients

  • 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

Instructions

  • 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.