Espresso Tonic Recipe (Plus 6 Variations)
An espresso tonic is a double shot of espresso (2 ounces) poured slowly over about 4 ounces of cold tonic water and ice. Pour the tonic first and the espresso last so it floats on top, then stir before you drink. It takes 3 minutes, has no alcohol, and tastes bright and bittersweet, a little like coffee and grapefruit.
The drink is often traced to Koppi, a Swedish coffee roaster, around 2007, and it is now on menus at specialty coffee shops everywhere. Below is the basic espresso tonic recipe, how to make it without an espresso machine, and 6 variations, including an orange version and one for the holidays.
What You’ll Need
Premium tonic water – small bottles stay fizzy for one drink
Highball glasses – tall and narrow keeps the layers and the bubbles
Clear ice cube tray – bigger cubes melt slower
Bar spoon – for pouring the espresso gently on top
Stovetop moka pot – strong coffee if you do not have a machine
Instant espresso – the quickest no-machine option
Espresso Tonic Ingredients
- 2 ounces espresso (a double shot), cooled for 3 to 5 minutes
- 4 ounces tonic water, well chilled
- 1 cup ice
- 1 orange or lime wedge, optional
- 1 to 2 teaspoons simple syrup, optional
How to Make an Espresso Tonic
- Pull a double shot of espresso and let it cool for 3 to 5 minutes. Hot espresso makes the tonic foam over.
- Fill a tall glass with ice.
- Pour in the cold tonic water slowly so it keeps its fizz.
- Add any syrup or citrus now.
- Hold a bar spoon upside down just above the tonic and pour the espresso slowly over the back of it. The coffee will float in a dark layer on top.
- Serve right away and stir gently before drinking.
Espresso to Tonic Ratio
| Taste | Espresso | Tonic water |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee-forward | 2 ounces | 3 ounces |
| Balanced (start here) | 2 ounces | 4 ounces |
| Light and fizzy | 2 ounces | 6 ounces |
| Very light | 2 ounces | 8 ounces |
Specialty shops tend toward more tonic, around 4 parts tonic to 1 part espresso. If your first one tastes too bitter, add tonic or a teaspoon of syrup. If it tastes thin, use less tonic.
How to Make an Espresso Tonic Without an Espresso Machine
- Moka pot. Brew strong coffee in a moka pot, let it cool, and use 2 ounces. See the best stovetop espresso makers.
- Instant espresso. Dissolve 2 teaspoons of instant espresso in 2 ounces of hot water and cool it with an ice cube. More ideas are in our Nescafé Gold espresso recipes.
- Cold brew concentrate. Use 2 ounces of cold brew concentrate for a smoother “cold brew tonic.” No cooling needed. Make it with our guide on how to make cold brew coffee at home.
6 Espresso Tonic Variations
Orange Espresso Tonic
Add 1 tablespoon of fresh orange juice to the tonic before the espresso and garnish with an orange wheel. Orange softens the bitterness and is the most popular twist.
Rosemary Orange Espresso Tonic
Stir 2 teaspoons of orange simple syrup into the tonic and garnish with an orange wheel and a fresh rosemary sprig. To make the syrup, simmer equal parts sugar and water until dissolved, cool, and stir in an equal amount of fresh orange juice.
Cranberry Holiday Espresso Tonic
Add 1 ounce of cranberry juice to the tonic, then float the espresso on top and garnish with a few fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary. It looks like Christmas in a glass and has no alcohol, which makes it a good holiday party drink. For more seasonal drinks, see our Christmas coffee drinks.
Vanilla Espresso Tonic
Stir 1 to 2 teaspoons of vanilla syrup into the tonic. It rounds out the edges for people new to the drink. Use our coffee syrup recipe or a vanilla coffee syrup.
Elderflower Espresso Tonic
Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of elderflower syrup to the tonic for a floral version that pairs well with light, fruity coffees.
Espresso Soda
Swap tonic for plain sparkling water and add 2 teaspoons of simple syrup. It is less bitter and sweeter than an espresso tonic, and some people prefer it.
Which Coffee and Tonic to Use
Light and medium roasts with fruity or floral notes taste best here, because tonic brings out brightness. A very dark roast can taste harsh with tonic. For the tonic, a premium brand with less sugar lets the coffee come through, while a sweeter supermarket tonic works if you like it sweeter. Diet tonic works for a lower-sugar drink, though it tastes thinner. For beans, see our guide to the best coffee beans for espresso.
Espresso Tonic
Ingredients
Method
- Pull a double shot of espresso and let it cool for 3 to 5 minutes. Hot espresso makes the tonic foam over.
- Fill a tall glass with ice.
- Pour in the cold tonic water slowly so it keeps its fizz.
- Add any syrup or citrus now.
- Hold a bar spoon upside down just above the tonic and pour the espresso slowly over the back of it. The coffee will float in a dark layer on top.
- Serve right away and stir gently before drinking.
Marcus’s Pro Tips
- Chill everything. Keep the tonic in the fridge and cool the espresso first. Warm ingredients melt the ice and flatten the fizz.
- Tonic first, espresso last. Pouring espresso in first and tonic on top makes the drink foam up and spill.
- Use a fresh bottle. Small single bottles of tonic keep the bubbles that a half-used liter loses.
- Pour slowly. Use the back of a spoon to get the layered look for photos.
- Try a glass with a stem. A wine glass keeps hands off the drink and shows off the layers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an espresso tonic taste like?
Bright, fizzy and bittersweet, with the coffee’s fruit notes up front. Many people compare it to grapefruit soda with a coffee finish.
Does an espresso tonic have alcohol?
No. It is espresso and tonic water. It is not the same as a gin and tonic, though it is served the same way.
Why does my espresso tonic foam over?
The espresso was too hot or poured in too fast. Cool the shot for a few minutes and pour it slowly over the back of a spoon.
How much caffeine is in an espresso tonic?
About the same as a double shot of espresso, since tonic water has no caffeine. A double shot is commonly estimated at roughly 125 milligrams, but it varies with the coffee.
Can I make espresso tonic with regular coffee?
Yes, if it is strong. Use moka pot coffee, cold brew concentrate or instant espresso. Regular drip coffee is too weak and tastes watery with tonic.
Can I make it ahead for a party?
Brew and chill the espresso up to a day ahead, but assemble each drink to order so the tonic stays fizzy.
Try the basic espresso tonic first at 2 ounces of espresso to 4 ounces of tonic, then adjust and add citrus. For a cocktail with the same espresso, see our espresso martini recipe.
Marcus Webb writes about home coffee for BrewElevate. He researches and compares brewing gear, beans and recipes so home brewers can make a better cup without overspending. His rule: if he wouldn’t be comfortable buying it himself, it doesn’t make the list.
