Last Updated on January 26, 2024 by Karen
Try this Refreshing Iced Coffee and Lemon Tonic Drink Recipe for a tasty and interesting twist to your regular iced coffee, with a blend of smooth coffee, bitter tonic, and zesty lemon!
If you’re bored with regular coffee and want to try something different, Iced Coffee and Lemon Tonic Drink is the way to go! Have you seen it on cafe menu? Coffee Tonic is anything but the regular morning coffee. When you combine cold coffee, tonic water, and citrus, the end result is an interesting blend of flavors. It’s like a party in your mouth with coffee, bubbles, and a hint of lemon.
What is Coffee Tonic?
Known by different names like Espresso Tonic or Cold Brew Tonic, this beverage has become a popular choice among coffee lovers, finding its way into coffee shop menus and social media posts. Combining the rich, mellow flavor of cold brew coffee with the crispness of tonic water and a splash of citrus, it’s a simple drink but has such as interesting flavor profile! Once you have a first sip, you’ll either love it or hate it!
What is the origin of Coffee Tonic?
It was said that Coffee Tonic (or Kaffe Tonic) was first developed in 2007 in Oslo and soon after made its way onto a menu at Koppi Roasters in Helsingborg, Sweden. From there, the drink quickly spread through barista competitions (for good reason!) to large coffee-fanatic cities like San Francisco and New York.
What are the ingredients needed for this Refreshing Iced Coffee and Lemon Tonic Drink Recipe?
All you need are a few simple things:
Coffee: You can use strong cold brew coffee (here’s my favorite overnight cold brew recipe) or double shot of espresso (any basic espresso roast would work) made with your favorite coffee beans. Cold brew concentrate is also an excellent choice. Be sure to let it cool down completely, or if you’re in a hurry, pop it in the fridge.
Chilled tonic water: This is the fizzy stuff that makes your drink bubbly. Experiment with different tonic waters for unique botanical flavors.
Ice cubes: Ensure your serving glass is filled with enough ice cubes to keep the drink cool and refreshing.
Lemon: A hint of citrus note from fresh lemon slices or a little bit of lemon juice really brightens up this drink. Any slice of citrus would work–you can try orange slice or lime slice.
Optional extras: Add a little sweetness to your drink with a splash of simple syrup, maple syrup, agave syrup, or your preferred liquid sweetener.
How to make this Refreshing Iced Coffee and Lemon Tonic Drink, here are the easy steps: (see below for the full recipe)
- Make the espresso (in a moka pot or espresso machine) and chill the hot espresso either in the fridge or freezer. If you’re using cold brew coffee, then keep it chilled in the fridge until ready to use.
- Fill a serving glass with ice cubes. Pour in the chilled tonic water.
- Slowly pour in your cooled-down coffee. Pour it slow so it sits on top of the tonic water.
- Optional: Adjust sweetness to taste with the addition of simple syrup, maple syrup, agave syrup, or another liquid sweetener of choice. Note that if you want to use sugar, you’d need to add it to the coffee when it is still hot so it can dissolve properly.
- Add a slice of lemon to your drink or squeeze some lemon juice. Then enjoy!
What is tonic water?
Tonic water is a carbonated soft drink that’s a key ingredient in popular beverages like gin and tonic. It has a distinctive bitter flavor and is known for its effervescence. The bitterness usually comes from quinine, a compound derived from the bark of the cinchona tree. Nowadays, tonic water often contains sweeteners and flavorings, making it a refreshing non-alcoholic drink on its own or a mixer in various cocktails.
What brand of tonic water should I use?
Choosing a tonic water brand can depend on personal taste preferences and the specific flavors you’re looking for. Some popular ones are Fever Tree (my choice for this drink), Q Tonic, and Schweppes. Experiment with different tonic waters to discover unique botanical flavors that complement your coffee preference.
Can I substitute the tonic water with club soda or sparkling water?
Yes, you can substitute tonic water with club soda or sparkling water if you’re looking to create a different flavor profile. Note that tonic water has a distinct bitter and slightly sweet taste, and club soda and sparkling water are typically plain and carbonated. Substituting with club soda or sparkling water will lose the taste of the tonic water, resulting in a less bitter and more neutral flavor in your coffee tonic.
What’s the difference between cold brew concentrate and espresso? Which one should I use?
Cold brew is known for its smooth, mellow, and less acidic flavor. The slow steeping process extracts fewer bitter compounds from the coffee grounds, resulting in a different taste profile compared to hot brewing methods. On the other hand, espresso has a strong flavor–bold coffee flavor with a full bodied taste. The high pressure used in the brewing process extracts a higher concentration of soluble compounds, giving it a rich and intense flavor.
I use both kinds of coffee in my coffee tonic drink, depending on what I have on hand. Sometimes I’ll even make a quick coffee in my French press so that I can make this drink. Feel free to adjust the ratio of water and amount of ground coffee to come up with your perfect coffee base for this coffee tonic drink. Because of the acidity of the espresso, sometimes I will go easy on the lemon juice.
Is coffee tonic an alcoholic drink?
No, Coffee Tonic is typically a nonalcoholic drink. However, some variations may include alcoholic elements, such as adding a splash of a spirit like gin (with lime for citrusy notes), or coffee liqueurs like Kahlúa for an extra coffee kick. Experiment with your favorite spirit to create a coffee tonic cocktail.
Top tips for the perfect coffee tonic drink
Keep things cool: Make sure your coffee and tonic water are nice and cold. It makes your drink extra refreshing.
Feel free to experiment with different citrus notes: A splash of orange juice or lime juice/lime wedge are great options. Grapefruit and yuzu also add a nice citrusy note. Meyer lemon is also a favorite of mine– the floral flavors make this drink extra interesting!
Festive take: For a wonderful holiday coffee idea, add a sprig of rosemary for a woodsy herby finish, or garnish with cinnamon stick.
Layering effect: Slowly pour the chilled coffee over the tonic water for a beautiful layering effect.
Fresh tonic water: Keep the tonic water chilled and use it as soon as you open it. It’s bubblier that way.
Hope you like this Refreshing Iced Coffee and Lemon Tonic Drink! It’s a delightful blend of coffee goodness, effervescence, and citrusy zing that’s perfect for any occasion, whether on a hot summer day or a little afternoon pick me up, or even as a great quick morning beverage. Whether you’re a seasoned coffee enthusiast or just seeing this for the first time, this simple yet captivating beverage is worth a try. Cheers to your new favorite coffee creation!
If you’re a fan of coffee drink, here are some simple recipes you’ll love:
Best Starbucks Copycat Irish Cream Cold Brew Recipe
Starbucks Iced Hazelnut Oatmilk Shaken Espresso Recipe
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Refreshing Iced Coffee and Lemon Tonic Drink Recipe
Ingredients
- Cold brew coffee or espresso
- Tonic water
- Ice cubes
- 1-2 tbsps Simple syrup or liquid sweetener of choice adjust to taste
- Lemon slice or lemon juice to finish
Instructions
- Prepare cold brew coffee or espresso and let it cool.
- Fill a glass with ice cubes. Pour chilled tonic water over the ice cubes, leaving some space at the top.
- Slowly pour the cooled coffee or espresso over the tonic water
- Add simple syrup to taste. Add lemon juice and stir to mix well.
- Garnish with lemon slice and serve!
