Cucina Archive · Caffè

Espresso Tonic

Tonic water over ice with a double poured through it. It separates into two layers and then it does not, and both are the point.

C20 · Partial record · yields One tall glass

A jar of espresso tonic held to the light, the dark coffee layer sitting over pale tonic and ice.
A jar of espresso tonic held to the light, the dark coffee layer sitting over pale tonic and ice.

Formula

The glassQuantities not recorded.
Icefilled
Tonic watercold
Double espresso45 gC10

Method

  1. Fill a tall glass with ice and pour the tonic over it.

  2. Pull a double and pour it slowly over the back of a spoon so it sits on top.

  3. Serve before it mixes, and stir when you want it to.

Notes

Tonic first, espresso after. Pour it the other way round and it mixes on the way in, and the layers never happen.

The tonic has to be properly cold and properly carbonated. Flat tonic makes this a bitter iced coffee and nothing more.