Drink

Tonic's World of Flavor

Tonic syrups and waters are flavored by a host of aromatic ingredients.

By Betsy Andrews

May 14, 2014

Tonic syrups and waters are flavored by a host of aromatic ingredients. This first appeared in our June/July 2014 issue with Camper English's story Miracle Cure.

limes, tonic, cocktails, drinks — The peel of gin and tonic's traditional garnish lends bright notes to tonic infusions.Ingalls Photography

lemons, tonic, cocktails, drinks — Tonics flavored with lemon juice and peel can balance sweeter gins and added liqueurs.Ingalls Photography

grapefruit, tonic, cocktails, drinks — With its bright, floral, and bitter notes, the peel adds complexity to tonic.Ingalls Photography

lime, tonic, cocktails, drinks, kaffir lime — The leaves of this Southeast Asian plant provide a strong flowery citrus bouquet.Ingalls Photography

allspice, tonic, cocktails, drinks — Historically added to tonics for its digestive benefits, the warm, sweet spice balances bitterness.Todd Coleman

star anise, tonic, cocktails, drinks — This fragrant Chinese spice suffuses a tonic with a liquorice-like scent.Ingalls Photography

citric acid, tonic, cocktails, drinks — Sold as a powder, this fruit-based acid boosts tonic's tang and acts as a preservative.Ingalls Photography

lemongrass, tonic, cocktails, drinks — LemongrassIngalls Photography

cinchona bark, tonic, cocktails, drinks — Sold as powder or in pieces, this quinineladen bark gives tonic its bitterness.Ingalls Photography

orris root, tonic, cocktails, drinks — The dried root of a type of iris, this powder smells of violets with a taste akin to raspberries.Ingalls Photography

grains of paradise, tonic, cocktails, drinks — A spice used in Bombay Sapphire gin, this can add floral pepperiness to tonic.Ingalls Photography

Harley-Davidson's 2 Electric Concept Bikes Are Ready And Riding

Harley-Davidson's 2 Electric Concept Bikes Are Ready And Riding

Latest

The Best Amazon Prime Day Deals on All the Kitchen Stuff You Love

8 Wedding Registry Gifts You’ll Actually Use in the Kitchen

The Formula for a Perfect Ceviche Verde

8 Essential Noodle Dishes from Laos

The Case for Eating More Haggis

Ceviche Verde with Homemade Tortilla Chips

Our Best Rib Recipes Are Tender and Juicy to the Bone

9 Ceviche Recipes for When It's Too Hot to Cook

Peruvian Street Cart Ceviche with Sweet Potato and Toasted Corn (Ceviche Carretillero)