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32 Drinks

Espresso Tonic

A summer drink built on tonic water over ice, with a fresh espresso shot poured on top: bitter, citrusy, and effervescent.

  • Ratio: 1 espresso : 4 to 6 oz tonic over ice
  • Availability: Specialty

The espresso tonic originated in Scandinavian specialty bars in the early 2010s and made it onto Brooklyn menus by the late teens. The build is straightforward: a tall glass of ice, 4 to 6 oz of cold tonic water, and a freshly pulled espresso poured slowly on top so it floats on the carbonation before mixing in. It works best with a fruit-forward, washed light-roast espresso whose acidity plays off the quinine bitterness.

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