Dante Carrillo
Tonic water has evolved from its origins as an anti-malarial medicine to a popular beverage, often enjoyed as a gin and tonic. While commercial tonic water is convenient, some people prefer to make their own at home, experimenting with different flavours and avoiding additives. Making diet tonic water at home typically involves creating a syrup by boiling ingredients such as cinchona bark, citrus zest, and sweeteners like citric acid or erythritol, before mixing it with carbonated water. This process allows customisation of flavours and sweetness, resulting in a unique beverage.
How to make diet tonic water
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Water, sugar, lime zest, lime juice, lemon grass, citric acid, cinchona bark, soda water |
| Preparation | Bring water and sugar to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat, add lime zest, lime juice, lemon grass, citric acid, and cinchona bark. Simmer for 30 minutes. Remove from heat and let the mixture cool. Strain through a colander or sieve. |
| Notes | Use carbonated water for the final mixture. Substitute agave nectar for sugar. Use cut bark instead of powder for easier filtering. |
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What You'll Learn
Use a DIY tonic kit
Using a DIY tonic kit is a great way to make diet tonic water at home. These kits provide all the necessary dry ingredients, allowing you to control the flavours and sweetness of your tonic water. Here is a step-by-step guide to making diet tonic water using a DIY tonic kit:
Ingredients and Preparation:
Firstly, gather the ingredients and prepare them as follows:
- Zest the limes, lemons, and grapefruit to obtain the citrus zest, which is essential for the tonic's flavour.
- Cut the fresh lemongrass into small pieces to release its strong lemon flavour.
- Prepare the gentian root, which adds the signature bitter flavour to your tonic water.
- Cut or powder the cinchona bark, which is the natural source of quinine and adds an earthy flavour.
- Measure out the required amount of citric acid, a natural preservative that enhances the overall flavour.
Boiling and Mixing:
- Place the zest of lemon and lime in a medium saucepan.
- Juice the lemon and lime, and add the juice to the saucepan, along with water.
- Add the prepared ingredients from the kit: cinchona bark, citric acid powder, lemongrass, and sugar (or a substitute like agave nectar).
- Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.
- Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and continue cooking for about 45 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the mixture steep for around 20 minutes.
Straining and Storing:
- Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth or a coffee filter to remove any solid particles.
- You can now use the strained syrup to make tonic water by mixing 1 part syrup with 4 parts carbonated water for each serving.
- Store the syrup in a sealed container in the refrigerator, where it will last for about a month.
Using a DIY tonic kit simplifies the process of making diet tonic water at home. Remember to follow the kit's instructions and adjust the ingredients to your taste preferences. Enjoy experimenting with different flavours and creating your own unique tonic water!
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Boil cinchona bark
To make diet tonic water, you'll need to prepare a tonic syrup using cinchona bark. Cinchona bark is derived from the bark of the cinchona tree and contains quinine, which is toxic and a controlled substance in the United States. Therefore, it is important to exercise caution when handling and consuming cinchona bark.
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients and Tools
- Start by acquiring some cinchona bark. You can purchase it online or from specialty stores. It is also known as Peruvian tree bark.
- You will also need other ingredients such as sugar, water, citric acid, and any desired flavourings like lime zest, lime juice, or lemon grass.
- Gather the necessary tools for the process, including a saucepan, a heat source, a stirring utensil, a colander or sieve, and filters (such as cheesecloth or coffee filters).
Step 2: Create the Syrup Base
- In a saucepan, combine water and sugar. Heat this mixture on a stovetop, stirring continuously, until the sugar has completely dissolved. Ensure that the mixture does not reach a full boil, as this may caramelize the sugar and alter the desired flavour profile.
- Once the sugar is dissolved, remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the syrup base to cool down. This step is important to prepare the syrup base before adding the cinchona bark.
Step 3: Infuse the Cinchona Bark
- After the syrup base has cooled, add the powdered or cut-up cinchona bark to the mixture. Stir well to ensure the bark is thoroughly combined with the syrup.
- Allow the mixture to simmer over low heat for approximately 30 minutes. This infusion time ensures that the cinchona bark's flavours and quinine are released into the syrup.
Step 4: Strain and Filter
- Once the infusion is complete, remove the saucepan from the heat and let the mixture cool for about 15 minutes.
- Set up your straining and filtering station. Place a colander or fine-mesh sieve over a bowl or container. Line the colander or sieve with cheesecloth or a coffee filter to catch the small particles of bark.
- Carefully pour the infused syrup through the prepared strainer to separate the liquid from the bark. This step may need to be repeated to ensure all solid particles are removed.
Step 5: Store and Use the Syrup
- Transfer the strained syrup to a clean, airtight container or bottle. Store it in the refrigerator, where it will keep for about a month.
- To make diet tonic water, combine the tonic syrup with chilled carbonated water. The general ratio is 1 part syrup to 4 or 6 parts water, depending on your taste preferences.
- Stir or shake the mixture to combine the syrup and water thoroughly. Your diet tonic water is now ready to serve!
Remember, it is important to exercise caution when handling and consuming cinchona bark due to the presence of quinine. Enjoy your homemade diet tonic water responsibly!
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Add citrus zest
To make diet tonic water, you can add citrus zest to the mix. Citrus zest is a great way to add a fresh, natural flavour to your tonic water without adding extra sugar or calories.
To start, carefully wash your chosen citrus fruits and lemongrass. You can use any citrus fruit you like, such as oranges, grapefruit, lemon, or lime. It is recommended to use organic or unsprayed citrus fruits since you will be using the peel. Zest the citrus fruit and place it in a medium saucepan. You can use a sharp vegetable peeler, or strips, or a citrus zester to remove the zest.
Next, you can add other ingredients to your saucepan. This might include the juice of your citrus fruits, lemongrass, citric acid, cinchona bark, allspice, cardamom, star anise, salt, and black peppercorns. You can experiment with different combinations of ingredients to find your preferred flavour.
Finally, bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce it to a simmer. Leave it covered, slightly askew, and let it gently simmer for about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let it cool to room temperature. Pour the mixture into a container and chill it in the refrigerator for a couple of days, gently shaking it a few times a day.
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Use a sugar substitute
To make diet tonic water, you can use a sugar substitute. This allows you to control the sweetness and modify the ingredients to your preference.
Firstly, you will need to create a tonic syrup. This can be done by combining the tonic syrup ingredients in a saucepan and boiling them. The syrup ingredients include:
- Zest from limes, lemons, and grapefruit
- Fresh lemongrass
- Gentian root
- Cinchona bark
- Citric acid
Citrus zest is critical for flavour, so be sure to use this rather than citrus juice, which will be too tart. You can also add flavour add-ins such as lavender buds, star anise, juniper berries, allspice berries, or cardamom.
Once the syrup ingredients have been combined and boiled, turn off the heat and leave the mixture to sit for 20 minutes. Then, strain the syrup through a colander and coffee filters or cheesecloth to remove any sandy bits of bark.
After the syrup is strained, you can add a sugar substitute. One option is to use a classic monk fruit sweetener. You can also use a no-calorie sweetener like Organic Erythritol, which has no aftertaste.
Finally, combine the syrup with carbonated water. The ratio is typically 1 part syrup to 4 parts water. It is important to combine the syrup and carbonated water for each individual use, rather than mixing a large batch.
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Carbonate your own water
Carbonating your own water at home is a great way to save money and cut down on plastic waste. There are a few different methods you can use, each with its own pros and cons. Here are some detailed instructions for each method:
Using a SodaStream
The first method is to use a SodaStream or similar countertop soda maker. This is a convenient and easy-to-use option, but it can be expensive. The machine uses CO2 cartridges to carbonate the water, and you can control the level of carbonation. You can also use a SodaStream to carbonate other beverages, like cocktails.
DIY Carbonation Rig
Another option is to build your own carbonation rig. This method requires some DIY skills and can be dangerous if not done properly. You'll need to purchase or assemble various parts, including a CO2 tank, regulator, hoses, and a carbonator cap. This method can be more cost-effective in the long run, but it requires a larger upfront investment. Always follow safety precautions when working with pressurised CO2.
Yeast Fermentation
A more natural method for carbonating water is to use yeast fermentation. Fill a gallon-sized bottle with warm water and add yeast. Champagne yeast is a good option as it doesn't change the taste. Cap the bottle and shake it well, then place it in a dark, warm place for a few days to ferment. Once it's ready, refrigerate the bottle to stop the fermentation process. Remember to pour carefully to avoid disturbing the yeast sediment at the bottom of the bottle.
Dry Ice
Dry ice, or solid carbon dioxide, can also be used to carbonate water. Simply cut a block of dry ice into small pieces and add them to a glass of water. Always follow dry ice safety instructions when handling dry ice. This method adds a dramatic smoking effect as the dry ice dissolves.
Seltzer Bottle
Seltzer bottles are another option for carbonating water. They typically have a tube, a main chamber, and a head with a dispensing lever. You fill the bottle with water, insert the tube, and screw on the head. Then, you insert a CO2 cartridge, which is pierced by a holder, allowing CO2 to flow into the water through the tube.
No matter which method you choose, always be cautious and follow safety instructions. Carbonating water at home can be a fun and rewarding project, but it's important to do it safely and correctly.
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