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

Lime

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

Lemon

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

Grapefruit

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

Kaffir Lime

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

Allspice

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

Star Anise

This fragrant Chinese spice suffuses a tonic with a liquorice-like scent.Ingalls Photography
citric acid, tonic, cocktails, drinks

Citric Acid

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

Lemongrass

LemongrassIngalls Photography
cinchona bark, tonic, cocktails, drinks

Cinchona Bark

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

Orris Root

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

Grains of Paradise

A spice used in Bombay Sapphire gin, this can add floral pepperiness to tonic.Ingalls Photography

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