Tonic Water
2010-07-23
Chris Shenton

We like a good Gin and Tonic in the hot steamy DC summers and are
really enjoying the delicate, aromatic Hendricks Gin from Scotland.

However, the commercial tonic waters are all too sweet and sticky, and
mask the good gin.  We did a blind taste test comparing Schwepps and
Seagrams tonic waters and Schweps won: the Seagrams was murky in
comparison.  Supermarket brand tonic was even worse, more sweet and
flavorless.

We've recently had G'n'T made with "Q" and "Fever Tree" tonic waters,
and they're excellent -- flavorfull with bright bitterness.
Unfortunately they come in precious little bottles and probably cost
more than high quality gin.

We should be able to make our own: it's basically like any other soda.
We could use a soda siphon, but we've got 5-gallon soda kegs, a
cylinder of CO2, a spare fridge.  

This site has good information, it's made just like other sodas (e.g.,
ginger beer):

http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/

4	cups	water
1	cup	chopped lemongrass (roughly one large stalk)
1/4	cup	powdered cinchona bark (1 ounce by weight)
		zest and juice of 1 orange
		zest and juice of 1 lemon
		zest and juice of 1 lime
1	tsp	whole allspice berries
1/4	cup	citric acid
1/4	tsp	Kosher salt


He boils this, strains, adds Agave syrup. Then uses this syrup to with
Gin and Seltzer water.  Many many comments in the posting, including
some suggesting substituting Honey for the Agave.

Herbal Advantage seems to have the best prices on Cinchona
($14/pound), assuming you need less than
25Kg. http://www.herbaladvantage.com but they don't tell you the
shipping cost before -- or *after* -- ordering.