search instagram twitter facebook pinterest chevron-right chevron-left email menu cross
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to menu-404 navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Let's Eat Cake

Let's Eat Cake is the lifestyle site for Millennial women. We’re your source for lifestyle, entertainment, fashion, beauty, jokes, puns, food news, coffee trends, and baking recipes.

  • Lifestyle
  • Food + Drink
  • Funny
  • Recipes
  • Entertainment
  • Beauty
  • News
  • Sex + Relationships
  • Contact
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Advertise
© 2023 Let's Eat Cake
  • Food + Drink
  • Funny
  • Lifestyle
  • Recipes
Home » Food + Drink » Drinks

Haven’t Tried the Espresso Tonic Yet? Here’s What It’s All About

By Katie Schindelheim | April 29, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links that we collect a share of sales from. Click here for more details.
27 shares
Jump to Recipe
Espresso Tonic - drink on a table
Espresso Tonic - pouring espresso
Espresso Tonic
Espresso Tonic - Coffee Memes

Coffee and espresso lovers are always ready for the newest trend, whether that’s cold brew, mushroom coffee, or the arm workout that is Dalgona.

But, there’s one trend that has been slowly growing in popularity every summer: the espresso tonic. While the coffee drink hasn’t yet made it onto the menus of larger coffee shop chains, we’ve noticed it starting to pop up on a fair number of local, independently-owned shops all across the country.

Espresso Tonic

 

What Is An Espresso Tonic?

Espresso Tonic is made of two very unexpected ingredients: espresso and tonic water. We were surprised too. Almost as surprised as we were to find out the plot of Snakes on a Plane.

There’s one rumor that it originated at Sweden’s Koppi Roasters. Legend has it that the cafe owners came up with the mixture with leftovers from a company party. It was a smash hit and added to the menu at the cafe in short order.

But, according to Bon Appetit, Espresso Soda or Sparking Coffee has actually been around in America since the 1800s, and longer in Europe.

Either way, it started popping up around 2015 in local coffee shops all the United States including Stumptown Coffee, Dayglow, and, recently at Los Angeles’s Coffee Memes.

Espresso Tonic

Drinking espresso and fizzy water together might sound strange, but consider that in Italy, espresso bars traditionally serve a shot of espresso paired with a shot glass of carbonated water.

Curtis Park, the owner of Coffee Memes explains, “A traditional espresso and tonic beverage has just like tonic water, which has quinine. That gives it that distinctive taste and sparkle. It’s like a classic Italian coffee cocktail.”

Espresso Tonic - drink on a table

What Does the Espresso Tonic Taste Like?

In theory, the Espresso Tonic sounds like it shouldn’t work. But, it actually ends up tasting a bit like a coffee-flavored soda. Or, if there’s a fruit infusion like the one served at Coffee Memes, a non-alcoholic Negroni.

Tonic water is made of water, carbon dioxide, and natural alkaloid called quinine. Quinine has a naturally bitter flavor, which is why most tonic waters have added sugar in them to make them more palatable. Kind of like how politicians have dogs to make them seem more likable.

When mixed with espresso, the tonic counters the natural acidity that coffee has. The result is a citrusy, fresh, drink that has a slight fizz from the tonic water.

Park says his decision to add apricot essence to their espresso, matcha, and chai tonics was an homage to his roots. “I’m Korean and I was raised with this great apricot concentrate. My mom would feed it to me when I was little. Whenever I had an upset stomach. Or when I needed to rehydrate. I don’t think any of it is scientifically proven, but, you know, it’s always been passed on for generations.” (The traditional version of maesil-cha is made using Green Apricot Plums and sugar.)

Espresso Tonic - drink on a table
Photo Credit: sweet spot kaffee

 

How to Make a Good Espresso Tonic?

Espresso Tonic

3.86 from 7 votes
Print Recipe
Here's how to make the fizzy coffee drink at home.
Espresso Tonic
Prep Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 5 mins
Servings: 1 drink

Ingredients

  • 1 cup ice
  • ⅔ cup tonic water
  • 1 shot espresso
  • 1 tsp simple syrup (optional)
  • 1 maraschino cherry (or slice of orange peel, lemon, or lime (optional))

Instructions

  • Fill cup with ice.
  • Add tonic water.
  • Make espresso and pour on top of tonic.
  • Add simple syrup. (Optional.)
  • Add maraschino cherry, slice of orange peel, or slice of lemon or lime. (Optional.)

Notes

Calorie count does not include simple syrup.
Tips:
  • We prefer Fever Tree tonic water as it comes in eight different flavors, including rosemary and lemon thyme.
  • Unless you like bitter things, add the simple syrup.
Nutrition Facts
Espresso Tonic
Amount Per Serving (1 drink)
Calories 54
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: espresso tonic
Author: Katie Schindelheim
Did you make this recipe?Leave a review below, then take a photo and tag @letseatcakeblog on Instagram so we can see it!

Or just watch the video below.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Katie Schindelheim
Katie Schindelheim
Katie Schindelheim is a contributing writer for Let's Eat Cake, where she covers nail designs, seasonal trends and topics, food news (mostly sweet, but sometimes savory), fancy cocktails, and everything else you need to know about the best alcohol out there. She is also an actress, writer, and stand-up comedian who's appeared onstage at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles, Caroline's on Broadway in New York, and many other venues. 

Katie is a fierce competitor when it comes to trivia and can often be found at bar trivia/pub quiz nights around L.A. She hates losing. Just ask her ex-teammates and ex-friends.

Follow Katie on Instagram and Twitter.
Katie Schindelheim
Latest posts by Katie Schindelheim (see all)
  • These New Year’s Drinks Are The Best Way to Cheers In 2023 - December 26, 2022
  • Go Into 2023 In Style With These Stunning New Year’s Nail Designs For Every Occasion - December 22, 2022
  • 12 Great British Bake Off Cookbooks That Will Win You Star Baker - October 19, 2022
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links from Amazon and other sites that we collect a share of sales from.
27 shares

Read This Next

Here’s What Your Favorite Coffee Brewing Method Says About You

Here’s What Your Favorite Coffee Brewing Method Says About You

17 Ways to Enjoy Starbucks Cold Brew Now That It’s Warm Again

17 Ways to Enjoy Starbucks Cold Brew Now That It’s Warm Again

35 Coffee Memes To Read While You’re Waiting for Your Latte

35 Coffee Memes To Read While You’re Waiting for Your Latte

12 Coffee Subscription Boxes So You Can Make Fancy Coffee At Home

12 Coffee Subscription Boxes So You Can Make Fancy Coffee At Home

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.
Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Trending Now

  • Adult Jokes 50 Adult Jokes That We Laughed At Because We’re Very Mature
  • Adult Dirty Jokes 65 Dirty Adult Jokes You Should Text Your Partner
  • Starbucks Spring Cups Tumblers 2023 Here’s Your Look at Starbucks’ Spring Cups and Tumblers for 2023

Footer

  • Categories
  • Food + Drink
  • Funny
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Recipes
  • News
  • About
  • Contact
  • Press
  • Advertise
  • Web Stories
  • Editorial Policy
  • Newsletter
© 2016–2023 Let's Eat Cake
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
27 shares