Refreshing Espresso Tonic
If you’re looking for a coffee drink that’s refreshing, bold, and a little unexpected, it’s time to give the espresso tonic a try! It’s refreshing, slightly sweet, and has a touch of citrus for the perfect caffeinated summer beverage. This two-ingredient drink combines rich and classic espresso with crisp tonic for a refreshing pick-me-up like no other.
Add some citrusy flavor with a slice of lemon, orange, or lime and you’ll understand why this coffee drink has become so popular. The citrusy notes add so much to the espresso, don’t skip the fruit!
It’s an excellent choice for a little caffeine kick anytime of day and is sure to become a favorite summer beverage.
You’ll also want to try my brown sugar shaken espresso, sweet cream cold foam, and iced Americano.
What You’ll Love
- Cold and refreshing – So many iced coffees are made with milk, which can sometimes feel heavy, this one is light!
- Easy to make at home – Ready in minutes
- Simple ingredients – Made with just espresso and tonic
- Easy to customize – Change up the garnish or add some extra flavors (ideas below)
Ingredient Notes
- Espresso – I recommend a double shot of espresso (like all of my espresso drinks!), but you can also use a single shot if you prefer. You can use a basic nespresso, a real deal espresso machine (my favorite), Moka pot, or even use a cold brew coffee concentrate. Whatever type of machine you are using, be sure to use quality coffee beans.
- Tonic water – You can choose your favorite tonic water. Fever Tree tonic is my personal favorite and high-quality, and Q tonic is another popular brand. The flavor won’t quite be the same with club soda, but it’s always an option, too. Add a splash of simple syrup for some sweetness if you’re using club soda.
- Garnish – Coffee and orange is a classic pairing, but you could really use any citrus peel, lime or lemon would also be delicious. You can also grate some orange zest over the top of the drink if you prefer. It adds a lot to the drink, so don’t skip it!
Emily’s Tip
Use good coffee beans! With simple espresso drinks at home that rely on simple ingredients, it’s really important that you are using good quality beans. I prefer to find a local roaster, but you can also order beans online and many times they will be freshly roasted! Fika and Spyhouse are two of my favorite roasters here in Minnesota, and they both ship. (Go with the Espresso 61 from Fika, plus the Guatemala medium roast for pour overs and the Orion from Spyhouse!)
How You’ll Make an Espresso Tonic
This is an overview, the detailed instructions can be found below in the recipe card.
- Add your tonic to a tall glass over ice.
- Prep espresso and brew into an espresso cup so you can let it cool slighty.
- Garnish with some sort of citrus. Orange, lemon, or lime are all delicious but it does add a lot to the drink, don’t skip it!
FAQs
Yes, you can, but the flavor won’t be quite as bold.
There are also some other options for flavor and sweetness additions that will turn this basic drink into a drink with endless variations:
– Splash of orange juice, lemonade, or limeade
– Simple syrup – add according to taste preference
– Flavored syrup – try a citrus syrup
– Bitters – add a few drops of bitters to the tonic
– Garnish – sprig of rosemary if you aren’t using citrus
What to Serve with Iced Coffee
I’m not sure if it’s the addition of tonic, but I do think of this as more of an afternoon drink (even though I do not drink coffee in the afternoon!) so I’m going to give more brunch meal ideas to serve along with this drink:
- Toasts – Ricotta, avocado, hummus, whipped cottage cheese
- Salads – Black bean quinoa, Mediterranean quinoa, dense bean salad
Refreshing Espresso Tonic Recipe
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 2 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Category: Drink
Description
Try this refreshing espresso tonic recipe for a bold and bubbly coffee drink. Perfect for warm weather and coffee lovers looking for something new.
Ingredients
- 1–2 shots espresso
- 6–8 oz. tonic water
- orange slice garnish
Instructions
- Pour 6-8 ounces of tonic water into glass with ice.
- Prepare espresso and let cool slightly. Pour espresso over the ice and tonic.
- Top with orange slice.
Notes
- You can use any citrus – lemon and lime are also delicious and refreshing
- Nutrition facts do not include any added sweetener
About the Author
Emily Dingmann is a recipe developer, nutrition expert, and founder of My Everyday Table. She specializes in creating easy, healthy recipes that help busy parents feed their families well without the stress. With a degree in Nutrition and over 15 years of experience, Emily shares family-friendly meals that are practical, nourishing, and full of flavor. Learn more about Emily’s approach to everyday cooking and nutrition here.
Food styling and photography by Loren Runion.
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