Q: My dad is a lover of gin and tonics and he's obsessed with that fancy (and pricey!) Q Tonic. He loves it because it's not as sweet as the grocery store brands.
Being the crafty kind of girl that I am, I want to make my old man some homemade tonic for a holiday surprise. I've got a SodaStream, but I have no idea where to find quinine, and no idea what else goes into tonic water!
Does anyone out there have a tonic water recipe? Or any suggestions where to purchase quinine?
Sent by Julia
Editor: Readers, have you ever tried homemade tonic water? This is high on my own list of things to try too, so I'd love to hear any recommendations for recipes and sources.
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I found this on chow.com they even have a link to where to buy :http://www.chow.com/recipes/28699-spiced-tonic-water
Soda stream has a tonic water mix that you can purchase on their website. It would be a good base for making your own flavor.
Seriouseats.com just did a post on DIY tonic water: http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2011/11/diy-tonic-water-homemade-tonic-for-gin-recipe.html
I've used Jeffery Morganthaler's recipe a few times, experimenting each time with modifications:
http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/
As for the quinine, my local herb store (RIP, Limbo) carried it. You might have an easier time googling "cinchona bark" instead of "quinine".
I've also used the Jeffrey Morganthaler recipe. To mostly good effect. My recommendation, as far as his specs go, would be to lay off on the citric acid and beef up the citrus juices. It was a tad too biting for my taste. Also, get crazy with the flavoring agents. My best tonic, thus far, has been a ginger, cardamom, and lemongrass version. Killer with a nice London Dry gin.
For another approach, there are also those who make their tonic syrup/water a la minute. I have not attempted this, but some swear by it: http://www.alcademics.com/2008/09/homemade-tonic-actually-easy.html
So timely, I just made some gin.
http://imbibemagazine.com/Homemade-Tonic-Water-Recipe
this is kevin ludgwig's recipe and it's pretty darned good. recipe includes a link to where you can buy quinine.
I've been wanting to try making my own as well. Thanks! I've also been meaning to track this down to try before making my own: http://spirits.bittermens.com/product/classic-tonic-cordial/
My husband makes the Morganthaler recipe all the time, and we can't go back to "normal" tonic. This stuff is SO good. Mind you, this makes a tonic "syrup" and you have to add soda water (and gin, of course). Cinchona bark is hard to come by, but it is the natural source of quinine and I think it makes this particular tonic recipe special (you can order it online, though!).
Oh, and note about this tonic -- it will make your gin & tonic (or vodka) look a little bit "muddy" as opposed to the clear tonic everyone is used to. Fear not, this is how it is supposed to look. But, it tastes fabulous.
the recipe from franny's is a great starting point. it's in the winter 2008 issue of their newsletter:
http://www.frannysbrooklyn.com/newsletters.htm
I think you might be able to ask a pharmacist about Quinine, and where to get it, since it used to be a cure/preventative for Malaria...
Morgenthaler's recipe is the easiest and most reliable -- only problem is finding the cinchona bark for it, which you may have to mail order away for, as not all herbal stores carry it.