Zesty and Bubbly, Espresso Tonic is the Perfect Summer Holiday Drink

If your plans have changed this Fourth of July, look no further than the sparkling coffee drink known as the Espresso Tonic: bubbly and citrusy, our new go-to summer drink is like fireworks for your taste buds. Also known as Espresso Fizz, this blend of tonic water and espresso is light, bubbly, and, thanks to a squeeze of lime or orange, deliciously tangy. Even better, the fizzing drink takes only three ingredients and can be whipped up with minimal effort, unlike many other popular coffee concoctions (we’re looking at you, Dalgona Coffee). If summer had a favorite drink, we think this would be it – read on to learn how to make one for yourself at home.

The Origin of Espresso Tonic

It’s generally thought that Koppi, a Swedish coffee roaster and café, created the original coffee tonic in 2007. Several years later, it made its way to the United States, picking up endless variations along the way. Some sippers prefer just espresso and tonic, others add a splash of citrus juice to the mix or incorporate syrups, and some use orange bitters for their creation. Still further variations include swapping out the type of citrus – orange, grapefruit, and lime are all popular – while some baristas use cold brew instead of espresso. However you choose to make it, though, the result is a light summer coffee that’s perfectly refreshing.

How to Make Espresso Tonic

With just three ingredients, there are few easier drinks for home baristas than the Espresso Tonic. Plus, even those drinkers who can’t take coffee without cream may enjoy it: the tonic water’s natural sweetness, coupled with the twist of tartness from the citrus, brightens up the espresso’s natural flavors.

For this drink, we used our Brazil Natural Dark Espresso Roast beans, which has a richer, chocolaty profile. Blends that already afford fruity flavors, like our Ethiopian Sidamo or Colombian Excelso would also be delicious. Homebrewers can also experiment with the ratio of tonic to coffee - while we enjoy a smaller glass for a more coffee-forward flavor, taller glasses can be used for a bubblier concoction.

Ingredients:

• 2 shots of espresso

• Tonic water

• Wedge of citrus (we used lime)

• Ice (optional)

Directions:

1. Pull a double shot of espresso and set aside.

2. Fill a glass with tonic water and ice, if desired.

3. Pour espresso slowly over tonic water.

4. Squeeze a lime over top. Enjoy!