What is a coffee tonic? The recipe that has caused a sensation in summer
With the summer season just around the corner, it's time to start practicing some refreshing coffee recipes to calm the effects of hot days. But this time we will present you a drink that is causing a stir and it is not just any smoothie. We are talking about coffee tonic, a preparation that has pleased the most demanding palates.
We know what's going through your head right now: What has made it so popular? Turns out it's a drink refreshing, sweet, bubbly and fruity flavor. Enough qualities to awaken the curiosity of lovers of good coffee and who seek to experiment with it.
That is why we have decided to share those details, such as its flavor and preparation. And it will motivate you to prepare it at home for the summer or simply go to your nearest cafeteria and look for it on the menu.
What is a coffee tonic?
The drink also known as espresso tonic, perfectly combines the citrus of quinine (a sufficiently bitter compound, derived from the bark of the cinchona tree), the lemon slice, with the pleasant flavor of coffee. This mixture of ingredients creates an explosion of flavors on the palate that leaves more than one person wanting to order a couple more.
The coffee tonic, already leads the menus of the most Cosmopolitan restaurants and bars in New York City, Tokyo, Stockholm or Berlin. In fact, it recently arrived on Spanish lands ready to refresh and delight us.
Basically, coffee tonic is cold coffee combined with tonic (carbonated) water, citrus, sugar and quinine, thus providing a refreshing, carbonated drink. complex bitterness, which reminds us of lemon peel. The recreation of this drink can be made with espresso, coffee infusion over ice or cold brew. Whatever options you choose, the result will always exceed your expectations.
What is tonic water?
If you have never heard of tonic, allow us to explain that it is a mixture of water with citric acid, quinine sulfate, sweetener, and flavoring. In Latin America it is called aguaquina or agua quinada.
This contains the same levels of sugar as carbonated drinks, that is, between 9.5-10% depending on weight. Therefore, the only big difference between the tonic water and a lemon-lime soda is quinine, which is also used as a medicinal herb, for its analgesic and antipyretic properties and as a cure for malaria.
Another great feature of tonic water is its high carbonation content, which ranges between 8 and 9 g/l. Unlike other carbonated drinks that contain between 5-7 g/l, since usually used as a mixer.
Now, when tonic water comes into contact with alcohol it loses approximately 3 and 4 grams of carbonation.
For example, champagne has 11 g/l of carbonation, while a younger champagne has higher levels, to be exact 12.g g/l. That is why, when served, it loses around 5 grams of carbon dioxide. If the bottle is uncorked or opened incorrectly, you could lose much more.
Types of tonic waters
Tonic water, in addition to being one of the main ingredients of coffee tonic, is also one of other drinks such as Gin and tonic. A refreshing, bubbly, dry, subtly bitter, aromatic, somewhat acidic and transparent preparation.
In the market there are a lot of tonic options, which could provide that special touch. Some of the most popular are:
-Water Tonic: It owes its popularity to its natural citrus oils such as mandarin, lemon and quinine. It is a water manufactured in Patagonia, the quinine used was collected by hand at 1,724 meters above sea level in Peru.
As for its aroma, it is a refreshing citrus. Among its qualities, the balance of sweet-bitter, delicate and long-lasting bubbles stands out.
-Fever-Tree: This tonic water produced here, in Barcelona, has among its main ingredients cane sugar, citrus, elderflower extracts and the inevitable quinine from Rwanda. It is characterized by being a refreshing product, ideal for calming the effects of the summer season.
One of its plus points is that it is not at all cloying, however, it contains few bubbles and these are very small. Nor can we overlook its citrus aroma, its light sweetness that softens the ravages of quinine and an important presence of elderflower.
-The original Yuzu Ocha tonic: Highly sought after for its strong citrus aroma of Asian Yuzu, its hints of matcha green tea extracts. As for its bubbles, these are fine.
Regarding its flavor, it is very mild, with a touch of bitterness, leaving a pleasant sensation on the palate.
-Schweppes (pink pepper): It is one of the most famous brands on the market, due to its ingredients with vegetable extracts, quinine and pink pepper. This tonic is characterized by being vibrant, without leaving aside the essence of the classic touch of the Schweppes brand.
When we open it, we will be trapped with the aroma of pink pepper, as well as those citrus notes that go wonderfully with any preparation such as coffee tonic. The bubble levels are just right, and with a light flavor of quinine.
Coffee tonic at home
If you want to recreate this interesting preparation in the comfort of your home and surprise everyone who visits you, then you are in the right place. Here we show you how to prepare a coffee tonic, like an expert and not die trying.
That said, we invite you to take note of what you need. Remember that the measurements are only for reference, if you like you can modify them and give your personal touch to the recipe.
Ingredients
-100 ml of espresso coffee
-100 ml of tonic water (the one of your preference)
-Ice cubes
Preparation
Once you have all the ingredients, proceed to prepare a jug of cold coffee. In a 300ml glass add the ice cubes (the amount will depend on your tastes). Later, add the tonic water and we recommend using a spoon to make it easier.
Finally, you are going to add the cold coffee on top of the tonic gently so that that particular dark layer forms on top. Before stirring, we recommend that you try both the tonic and the coffee and check if everything is in order. Now, stir the drink to mix the ingredients very well and that's it! You will have your coffee tonic homemade.
There are those who add other ingredients such as gin, lemon peel, orange peel, rosemary and even dried cherry peel, to give a more exotic touch to the recipe. The trick to preparing a good coffee tonic, will be based on selecting the perfect tonic water.
In short, it is an interesting, delicious and refreshing preparation that you should make during the summer. Even if it's just once. Well, like coffee-lover You must dare to try new drinks where the main ingredient is coffee. Remember that, for this and other recipes to be a success, try to include freshly ground grains, this way you will not only have better quality, but you will also be helping to care for the planet.
Source
The 'tonic coffee' sweeps Instagram: What is it and how to prepare it?
