Leena Watts
Making diet tonic water at home is a straightforward process that requires a few key ingredients and some patience. The primary ingredient is quinine, derived from the cinchona tree, which provides the distinctive bitter flavour of tonic water. By creating a tonic concentrate infused with spices and citrus, and then mixing it with carbonated water, you can create a refreshing and low-calorie beverage. This concentrate can be adjusted to your taste preferences and is a versatile base for various drinks, from the classic gin and tonic to coffee tonic.
How to make diet tonic water
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Powdered cinchona bark, Everclear, Splenda, citric acid, spices, water |
| Equipment | Saucepan, strainer, airtight container, soda-stream machine |
| Time | 45 minutes, plus a couple of days to make the quinine tincture |
| Quantity | 28 oz |
| Storage | Refrigerate syrup in an airtight container for at least 3 weeks |
| Cost | $0.85 for 1 liter of diet tonic water |
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What You'll Learn
Making a quinine tincture
Tonic water gets its distinctive bitter taste from quinine, which is found naturally in the bark of the cinchona tree. To make a quinine tincture, you will need to source some powdered cinchona bark. This can be purchased online.
To make the tincture, mix the cinchona powder with a neutral spirit such as vodka or Everclear. Cover the mixture and leave it to sit overnight. The following day, strain the mixture through a paper towel in a strainer, being careful not to add any sediment. Discard the sediment and you are left with a quinine tincture.
The tincture can be added to a syrup made from water, lime zest and juice, spices, and a sweetener. This syrup is then mixed with soda water to make a homemade tonic water. The syrup and the tincture will both keep indefinitely in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
It is important to note that while quinine has medicinal properties, it can be dangerous in large doses. Always be cautious when handling it and follow recipes carefully.
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Preparing the tonic concentrate
To make the tonic concentrate, you will need:
- Limes
- Powdered cinchona bark
- Granulated citric acid
- Black peppercorns
- Coriander
- Fennel seed
- Nutmeg
- Cardamom pods
- Cloves
- Sugar or a sugar substitute (if you are making a low-carb version)
Zest the limes with a vegetable peeler and slice the peeled limes in half. Add the lime zest and fruit, along with the remaining ingredients, to a medium saucepan. Add 4 cups of water, stir, and bring everything to a simmer over medium heat. Once the mixture reaches a simmer, remove the saucepan from the heat, cover, and let the tonic mixture steep for 25 minutes.
Strain the tonic concentrate through a strainer to remove the large spices and lime rind. Once the concentrate is chilled, it is ready to use. You can add 1 tablespoon of the concentrate to 6 oz of soda water to make tonic water.
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Adding soda water
To make diet tonic water, you will need to add soda water to a tonic concentrate. The tonic concentrate is made by zesting and slicing limes, and adding the lime zest and fruit to a medium saucepan, along with cinchona bark, citric acid, and spices. You will then need to add 4 cups of water to the saucepan, bring the mixture to a simmer, and let it steep for 25 minutes. After straining the mixture to remove the large spices and lime rinds, you will be left with a tonic concentrate.
The next step is to add soda water to the concentrate. You can use either club soda or sparkling water, depending on your preference. For a standard tonic water recipe, you will need to add 1 tablespoon of tonic concentrate to 6 ounces of soda water. This will yield a refreshing tonic water with a subtle sweetness.
If you prefer a stronger tonic flavor, you can adjust the ratio by adding more tonic concentrate to the soda water. Simply increase the amount of concentrate gradually until you achieve your desired flavor intensity. This way, you can customize your diet tonic water to suit your taste preferences.
Additionally, you can enhance the flavor and create a more complex profile by incorporating additional ingredients. For instance, consider adding a squeeze of lime juice or a twist of lime zest to the final product. You can also experiment with other citrus fruits, such as lemon, to create unique variations.
When preparing your diet tonic water, it is essential to use chilled or cold soda water. This will ensure that your beverage is refreshing and crisp. If you have a soda stream machine, you can conveniently carbonate your own water to the desired level of fizziness, providing you with fresh and customizable soda water for your diet tonic water creation.
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Using a sugar substitute
If you want to make diet tonic water, you'll need to use a sugar substitute instead of regular sugar. One recipe suggests using Splenda, but you could also try stevia or another artificial sweetener of your choice.
To make the tonic water, you'll first need to make a tonic concentrate. This involves adding lime zest and flesh, cinchona bark, citric acid, and spices to a saucepan. Bring this mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 30 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool to room temperature. Remove the solids with a strainer, then strain the remaining liquid through a jelly strainer for up to 24 hours, until it turns an orange-ish clear colour.
Once you have your tonic concentrate, you can make the diet tonic water by mixing it with carbonated water. One recipe suggests using one tablespoon of tonic concentrate with six ounces of soda water or sparkling water. You can adjust the amount of concentrate to your taste.
If you want to get creative, you can also add additional botanicals like allspice and cloves to your tonic concentrate, or experiment with different types of carbonated water, such as seltzer or club soda. You can also use your diet tonic water as a mixer in cocktails or even try adding it to your coffee for a unique twist.
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Mixing with other drinks
Diet tonic water can be mixed with a variety of drinks to create refreshing and tasty beverages. Here are some ideas and recipes for mixing diet tonic water with other drinks:
Gin and Tonic
The classic gin and tonic is a popular choice for many. To make this drink, fill a glass with ice, add 1 tablespoon of tonic syrup, 2 ounces of gin, and 2 ounces of sparkling water. Stir the ingredients together. Serve the drink with a lime wedge, squeezing the lime into the beverage before dropping it in. This drink can be customised by using different types of gin or adding additional garnishes, such as a sprig of rosemary or a cucumber slice.
Vodka Tonic
For those who prefer vodka, a vodka tonic can be made by mixing 3/4 ounce of tonic syrup, 1 1/2 ounces of vodka, and 2 ounces of canned seltzer water. This variation provides a "clean" and "crisp" taste that complements the vodka.
Coffee Tonic
Mixing diet tonic water with coffee creates a unique beverage that balances bitterness and sweetness. Brew a strong cold coffee or use leftover coffee from the fridge. Combine it with diet tonic water in a glass filled with ice. Adjust the ratios to your taste. Adding a wedge of lemon can also complement this drink.
Sparkling Water Mix
Diet tonic water can be mixed with sparkling water to create a refreshing drink. Play around with different ratios, such as 1:1 or 2:3, to find your preferred balance of flavours. Adding a squeeze of lemon or lime can further enhance the taste. This is a cost-effective way to enjoy flavoured sparkling water without breaking the bank.
Additional Ideas
Diet tonic water can also be used in various other cocktails and mixed drinks. It can be paired with citrus juices, such as lemon or lime, to create a refreshing summer beverage. Herbs like rosemary or lavender can be added for a unique twist. When experimenting with tonic water, it's essential to consider the potential health concerns associated with sweeteners and sugar consumption.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need cinchona powder or bark, lime, citric acid, peppercorns, coriander seeds, fennel seeds, nutmeg, cardamom pods, water, and a sweetener such as sugar, Splenda, or another sugar substitute.
No, just a saucepan, a knife, a vegetable peeler, and a strainer.
It takes a couple of days to make the quinine tincture, but once that is done, it only takes about 45 minutes to an hour to make the tonic water.
First, make a quinine tincture by mixing cinchona powder with a spirit like Everclear and letting it sit overnight. Then, add the other ingredients except for the sweetener to a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Strain the mixture and let it cool before adding the sweetener.
This recipe makes about 28 ounces of diet tonic water, but you can adjust the amounts of each ingredient to make more or less.
