A solid bundle is not always made of pairs that fit together at first sight. Who would have thought that espresso and tonic would get along?

WHEN ESPRESSO AND TONIC SAY "YES"

Their relationship is relatively young when you consider how old the couple were when they got married. According to sources, Tonic and Espresso first bonded at Koppi Roasters' cafe in Helsingborg, Sweden. They were introduced by the founder of the café, Anne Lunell. She and her partner Charles Nystrand first tasted tonic and coffee when a friend prepared this rather unusual combination for them as a "brew" after a party. They found the drink refreshing and interesting. So they decided to offer it in their café. It was 2007 and the espresso and tonic bundle was officially sealed.

Although Anne and Charles' cafe has been out of business for a few years now, their drink has managed to expand in the meantime and gain many fans around the world. If you want to join them, no problem. Espresso Tonic is easy to make at home.

Making espresso tonic coffee

  1. Add a few ice cubes to a glass of at least 350 ml and pour in the chilled tonic.
  2. Now make an espresso, and then carefully pour this over the tonic and ice.
  3. You can garnish the espresso tonic drink with a slice of lemon or lime. 

Tips for you:

  • To make espresso, use coffee with higher natural acidity, look for varieties grown in Kenya or Ethiopia.
  • Someone prefers to infuse tonic coffee with cold brew not hot espresso. The hot brew will create an interesting color gradient with a fine foam on the surface. If you use cold brew coffee, expect the ingredients to mix. The drink will be tasty but without the creamy foam.
  • You can read about making cold brew coffee in our other article. 

It is not for nothing that they say opposites attract. A bitter tonic and a coffee with just enough acidity manage to create a surprisingly harmonious, refreshing taste that will quickly overcome any initial distrust you may have of this unconventional bundle called Espresso Tonic.

Comparison of espresso tonic with other cold coffees:

Compare espresso tonic with three popular cold coffee drinks: frappé, cold brew and nitro coffee.

Frappé coffee is made with instant coffee, water and sugar. Its thick foam and sweet taste is very different from the refreshing taste of an espresso tonic.

Cold brew is much smoother and less bitter than espresso tonic, due to the long process of cold water extraction. It is ideal for those who prefer softer coffee flavours.

Nitro coffee, which is a cold brew variant, is a velvety smooth drink due to the nitrogen saturation. This process produces a rich foam on the surface, which is similar to an espresso tonic, but the taste of nitro coffee is generally milder.

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