Espresso Tonic Recipe (The Most Refreshing Summer Sip)

This Espresso Tonic is a refreshing caffeinated sip that’s perfect for summer. Bitter, slightly sweet, and citrusy!

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Espresso Tonic: The Official Sip of Summer

This refreshingly bitter and bubbly sip has been deemed the official sip of summer by Food and Wine . I’m here for it, and you should be, too!

This effervescent and bitter beverage combines just two ingredients (three if you count the garnish!), and is remarkably light and delicious. Although the ingredients seem straightforward, there are a few things to know before pouring your own. Read on to learn more about this viral recipe!

An espresso tonic garnished with an orange twist

Where Did The Espresso Tonic Originate?

This drink has roots in Sweden: many sources state that Koppi Roasters Cafe in Helsingborg, Sweden was the original creator in 2007. As the years have passed, the popularity of the beverage has grown, garnering fans across the globe. 

And honestly, what’s not to like? It’s bitter, slightly sweet, and goes down smooth. It’s a delightful non-alcoholic drink option for a hot summer day.

How To Make An Espresso Tonic

While the combination of two ingredients doesn’t seem complicated, there is certainly a right and wrong way to make this drink. 

You first want to pour the tonic water over ice, and then top it with the shot of espresso. Doing this in the opposite order, pouring the tonic water over the espresso, you’ll get a curdled-looking mess!

Steps to follow to make this drink!

  1. Pour tonic water into an ice-filled glass.
  2. Pour the shot of espresso over the top. Adding the espresso first will not end well! Be sure to pour the espresso OVER the tonic.
  3. Garnish with an orange twist. Enjoy immediately!
An espresso tonic garnished with an orange twist on a wooden serving board

Does An Espresso Tonic Taste Good?

A question that I’ll admit I asked myself before making it myself. 

My take? Yes!

Tonic water is popularly combined with gin or vodka for another summer favorite, albeit alcoholic. It’s bitter, slightly citrusy, and a little sweet. 

Espresso, on the other hand, is rich, dark, and chocolatey. Adding an orange twist (or your favorite citrus!) brings out the citrus notes in both the tonic and espresso.

The combination of the two yields a light and bright beverage that’s very drinkable. 

An espresso tonic garnished with an orange twist on a wooden serving board

Tools To Make An Espresso Tonic

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Espresso Tonic

This Espresso Tonic is a refreshing caffeinated sip that's perfect for summer. Bitter, slightly sweet, and citrusy!
Prep Time5 minutes
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: Swedish
Keyword: Drinks, Espresso, Orange, Tonic
Servings: 1 serving

Ingredients

  • 1 oz brewed espresso
  • 4 oz tonic water
  • 1 orange twist

Instructions

  • Pour tonic water into an ice-filled glass.
  • Pour the shot of espresso over the top. Adding the espresso first will not end well! Be sure to pour the espresso OVER the tonic.
  • Garnish with an orange twist. Enjoy immediately!
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