Making an espresso tonic at home is very easy and a lot cheaper than getting it from a coffee shop. Cold, fizzy, sweet, earthy, and bold, it’s the perfect drink to enjoy any time of day!
This espresso tonic recipe includes a couple of extra ingredients – lemonade and mint. The lemonade infuses the drink with a sour citrus note, while the chopped mint leaves add a cool and refreshing taste. It makes the beverage even more interesting and fun to drink! I also love how the color fades from deep brown to burnt gold, then to clear bubbles.
No need for an espresso machine to make this recipe! Since I don’t own an espresso machine I make mine with either instant espresso powder or strong coffee. When I say ‘strong coffee’ I mean concentrated enough that it comes close to tasting like an espresso. The result is the same, you can even use caffeine-free coffee or flavored coffee if you want. The options are endless!
Table of contents
Lemonade Espresso Tonic Ingredients
- Coffee: I suggest using a light or medium roast to complement the sweetness and bitterness of tonic water. But feel free to use on that you like to drink.
- Tonic water: Tonic water has a sweet and bitter taste that pairs beautifully with coffee. My go-to brands for tonic water are Canada Dry or Wilkinson.
- Lemonade: If you can find fresh lemonade, use that. Otherwise I suggest a lemonade that’s not too sweet since tonic water already contains sugar. The sour and citrus taste of lemons is what we are going after.
- Fresh mint leaves: Freshly chopped mint leaves make this drink super refreshing and add a vibrant pop of green.
- Ice cubes: Plenty of ice cubes for an icy cold drink!
Can I Swap this Ingredient for that One?
No you cannot because they are very different beverages. Tonic water is made with water, quinine (alkaloid extracted from cinchona’s bark), and sugar, and has a sweet and bitter taste. Sparkling water is simply carbonated water that has no flavor.
Using pure lemon juice for this recipe is not recommended because it will make the drink very bitter and strong. Instead, you can make your own quick lemonade – 1 freshly squeezed lemon mixed with 3/4 cup of water and a little sugar.
How to Make Espresso Tonic
Scroll down to the recipe card for the full recipe.
- Grab a tall glass and add the mint leaves at the bottom. Then add enough ice cubes on top of the mint leaves to fill about 2/3 of the glass.
- Pour the tonic water first. Do it slowly to retain as many bubbles as possible.
- Add the lemonade. Slowly add the lemonade to the give the drink a nice golden hue.
- Finish with the espresso. Lastly, slowly pour the espresso so that it creates a nice color gradation. Serve.
Best Coffee to Use for Espresso Tonic
While you can technically use any type of coffee to make an espresso tonic (I always recommend using one you enjoy drinking without any milk or sugar), I suggest using a mild to medium roast because the beans are fruity and sweet, similar to tonic water.
Africans beans are known for their bright and fruity flavor profiles, so an Ethiopian blend or Kenyan blend would be a great choices for this recipe.
How to Serve Lemonade Espresso Tonic
With plenty of ice cubes is a must! I like to serve a lemonade espresso tonic in a tall glass because of the color gradation that happens when the espresso is added (so pretty!). It’s energizing for breakfast as a morning tonic and can also give you an energy boost it the afternoon.
Since this espresso tonic is made with fresh mint, decorating it with a sprig of mint would look appropriate. Or, go classy with a sprig of rosemary, or classic with a lemon slice or wedge.
The sweetness and fruitiness of an espresso tonic make it a great match for desserts. Just like you would enjoy a slice of cake or a cookie with a cup of coffee or tea, those same treats pair beautifully with this refreshing drink.
Some of my favorites are:
- Hotteok (Korean sweet pancakes)
- Castella cake
- Japanese cheesecake
- Vegan peanut butter cookies
- Banana bread
- Pumpkin oatmeal cookies
Other coffee based recipes you might like to try: Japanese coffee jelly, raw chocolate and coffee squares, espresso martini, coffee banana smoothie, chocolate espresso cookies.
Did you like this recipe? Are there changes you made that you would like to share? Share your tips and recommendations in the comments section below!
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Lemonade Espresso Tonic
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: N/A
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink
- Category: Drinks
- Method: None
- Cuisine: N/A
- Diet: Low Calorie
Description
Cold, fizzy, sweet, citrusy, and bold, this espresso tonic is the perfect drink to enjoy any time of day!
Ingredients
- 1 shot of espresso or 50ml strong coffee, room temperature or cold
- 120ml tonic water
- 50 ml lemonade
- 1 tablespoon shredded mint leaves
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Add the mint and ice cubes. Add the mint at the bottom of a tall glass and fill it with โ ice cubes.
- Slowly pour the tonic water over the ice cubes. Slowly is the key to keep the tonic carbonated!
- Add the lemonade. Add the lemonade but do not mix.
- Add the espresso and serve. Slowly pour the espresso over the tonic water. Doing it slowly helps to keep the tonic water and espresso separate. Stir before drinking and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 drink
- Calories: 53
- Sugar: 13.4g
- Sodium: 18mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13.4g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
