Comments on: How to Make Your Own Tonic Water http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/ Jeffrey Morgenthaler writes about bartending and mixology from Portland, Oregon Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:30:51 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Suzy http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/comment-page-4/#comment-417178 Suzy Mon, 06 Feb 2012 02:49:39 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/#comment-417178 Deborah:I made this last summer and got the actual bark (aka Quina — Quina Peel) made by GroMex that I got at a Mexican grocery store. It was in a clear package and reminds me of cinnamon bark. I lucked into it in Morristown, NJ which has a Hispanic population. Maybe you can find it too. Ciaran: I didn't bother to grind it at all. In fact, I think having the whole bark makes it infinitely easier to strain. I just used a 'bag' of the bark which I think was about an ounce. No need to powder anything so it saves time and makes for a clearer syrup without so many filtering steps. As far as clarity, it isn't as cloudy but still an amber color, not the clear color of store-bought tonic. Deborah:I made this last summer and got the actual bark (aka Quina — Quina Peel) made by GroMex that I got at a Mexican grocery store. It was in a clear package and reminds me of cinnamon bark. I lucked into it in Morristown, NJ which has a Hispanic population. Maybe you can find it too.

Ciaran: I didn’t bother to grind it at all. In fact, I think having the whole bark makes it infinitely easier to strain. I just used a ‘bag’ of the bark which I think was about an ounce. No need to powder anything so it saves time and makes for a clearer syrup without so many filtering steps.

As far as clarity, it isn’t as cloudy but still an amber color, not the clear color of store-bought tonic.

]]> By: SR. TOCINO http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/comment-page-4/#comment-416973 SR. TOCINO Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:37:28 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/#comment-416973 New find. Cost plus has Melitta tea bags. I have used 4 bags for the cinchona bark and then steeped the teabags with the rest of the goodies. I will still have to strain the potion but the majority of the bark is in the bags. New find. Cost plus has Melitta tea bags. I have used 4 bags for the cinchona bark and then steeped the teabags with the rest of the goodies. I will still have to strain the potion but the majority of the bark is in the bags.

]]> By: Ciaran http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/comment-page-4/#comment-416258 Ciaran Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:02:25 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/#comment-416258 Just got around to trying this having bought a soda stream over xmas and discovered how bad soda stream's syrups are. Drinking it with 209 right now, not bad but I think I over sweetened it with the agave - the measurements got a bit approximate after the simmering. I got about 3 cups of liquid and added just over 2 cups of agave. Found cinchona bark at Duc Loi (18th & Mission in SF) but it wasn't powdered. Man that stuff is hard! I immediately gave up with the pestle, tried the coffee grinder but it jammed and ended up using the magimix. Even then I never got it all ground down and I think I have permanent gouges on the side of the bowl. (Anyone else shopping in the Mission you can get the citric acid at Rainbow, by the mason jars above the bulk peanut butter). As I was buying two bottles of gin at my neighbourhood liquor store to experiment with the owner said he was finally going to stock Fever Tree :-/ Just got around to trying this having bought a soda stream over xmas and discovered how bad soda stream’s syrups are.

Drinking it with 209 right now, not bad but I think I over sweetened it with the agave – the measurements got a bit approximate after the simmering. I got about 3 cups of liquid and added just over 2 cups of agave.

Found cinchona bark at Duc Loi (18th & Mission in SF) but it wasn’t powdered. Man that stuff is hard! I immediately gave up with the pestle, tried the coffee grinder but it jammed and ended up using the magimix. Even then I never got it all ground down and I think I have permanent gouges on the side of the bowl. (Anyone else shopping in the Mission you can get the citric acid at Rainbow, by the mason jars above the bulk peanut butter).

As I was buying two bottles of gin at my neighbourhood liquor store to experiment with the owner said he was finally going to stock Fever Tree :-/

]]> By: Deborah http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/comment-page-4/#comment-415944 Deborah Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:28:55 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/#comment-415944 Thanks for the jelly bag suggestion! I found them at the local Hardware store in the canning section. Would have used them anyway. 1st batch is cooling and can't wait for handsome boyfriend and wak-a-doodle dawg to get home and give this a shot. Dark in color, but intriguing! ps...no, Mr. Porter, the dog, does NOT get a G & T! Thanks for the jelly bag suggestion!

I found them at the local Hardware store in the canning section. Would have used them anyway.

1st batch is cooling and can’t wait for handsome boyfriend and wak-a-doodle dawg to get home and give this a shot.

Dark in color, but intriguing!

ps…no, Mr. Porter, the dog, does NOT get a G & T!

]]> By: SR. TOCINO http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/comment-page-4/#comment-415941 SR. TOCINO Tue, 17 Jan 2012 03:59:43 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/#comment-415941 I went to a great cooks store and purchased a jelly bag. This bag is used in clarify jellies. Using the jelly bags I get 3 cups of filtrate from the 4 cups of liquid used. Simply rinse the bag when used. I went to a great cooks store and purchased a jelly bag. This bag is used in clarify jellies. Using the jelly bags I get 3 cups of filtrate from the 4 cups of liquid used. Simply rinse the bag when used.

]]> By: Robbie http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/comment-page-4/#comment-415921 Robbie Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:15:40 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/#comment-415921 Anybody try using a Moka pot to steep and filter the bark powder simultaneously? I think I'll try this with my first batch. Steep and filter the bark alone as a first step and then boil/reduce with the other ingredients after. Anybody try using a Moka pot to steep and filter the bark powder simultaneously? I think I’ll try this with my first batch. Steep and filter the bark alone as a first step and then boil/reduce with the other ingredients after.

]]> By: Deborah http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/comment-page-4/#comment-415674 Deborah Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:12:40 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/#comment-415674 Having a bear of a time coming up with the chichona bark. Most retailers are out of stock. Tensing Momo Pike Place is the only source that I could find. Noted a Rueters article dated 12/13/11 that indicates the FDA has given retailers 60 days to stop selling it? Has anyone else heard this? Just ordered a pound. Should last a while! Having a bear of a time coming up with the chichona bark. Most retailers are out of stock. Tensing Momo Pike Place is the only source that I could find.

Noted a Rueters article dated 12/13/11 that indicates the FDA has given retailers 60 days to stop selling it?

Has anyone else heard this?

Just ordered a pound. Should last a while!

]]> By: Phil http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/comment-page-4/#comment-397078 Phil Sat, 26 Nov 2011 23:23:24 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/#comment-397078 Jeff, I have to say I love your site and all your posts I've used so many, including your ginger beer, and tonic water. My question is if there is a way to get your homemade tonic water any more clear? I love the way it tastes and with some Breuckelen gin makes the best G&T I've ever had. I've been to few places who have claimed to have homemade tonic water and it's clear as any store bought tonic I've seen. So is there a way to get it to that clarity using the same great ingredients? Jeff,

I have to say I love your site and all your posts I’ve used so many, including your ginger beer, and tonic water. My question is if there is a way to get your homemade tonic water any more clear? I love the way it tastes and with some Breuckelen gin makes the best G&T I’ve ever had. I’ve been to few places who have claimed to have homemade tonic water and it’s clear as any store bought tonic I’ve seen. So is there a way to get it to that clarity using the same great ingredients?

]]> By: Mark C. Chu-Carroll http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/comment-page-4/#comment-392901 Mark C. Chu-Carroll Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:37:59 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/#comment-392901 Andrew: Don't put the syrup in the siphon. Put the syrup in a glass, and just spritz the seltzer into it. Andrew:

Don’t put the syrup in the siphon. Put the syrup in a glass, and just spritz the seltzer into it.

]]> By: andrew http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/comment-page-4/#comment-392364 andrew Tue, 22 Nov 2011 01:06:58 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/#comment-392364 Jeff, I tried combining the sweetened syrup and water in my iSi Siphon and I get nothing but pure foam from it. Have you had this problem? Jeff,

I tried combining the sweetened syrup and water in my iSi Siphon and I get nothing but pure foam from it. Have you had this problem?

]]> By: Tyler http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/comment-page-4/#comment-384590 Tyler Sun, 13 Nov 2011 06:17:20 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/#comment-384590 I just did this recipe. But when I added the Agave syrup, the tonic is more liquidy than I imagined. In the recipe it says: "You now have a syrup that you can carbonate with seltzer water." Mines not syrupy. Am I not letting it reduce enough? or not letting it simmer long enough on the stove? Thanks! Tyler I just did this recipe. But when I added the Agave syrup, the tonic is more liquidy than I imagined. In the recipe it says: “You now have a syrup that you can carbonate with seltzer water.” Mines not syrupy. Am I not letting it reduce enough? or not letting it simmer long enough on the stove?

Thanks!

Tyler

]]> By: Kendyl http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/comment-page-4/#comment-380817 Kendyl Tue, 08 Nov 2011 22:34:08 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/#comment-380817 I used this lovely recipe as a launching point, but then made the following additions on my next batch: -made a lemongrass tincture first, then added it to the mix for a more concentrated (but subtle) flavor -doubled the lime zest -added microplaned apple peel and clove for a more autumn-y feel for my bar's fall cocktails. The additions made it less suited for a traditional gin and tonic, but has had numerous other applications! Thanks for all the inspiration, Jeff! I used this lovely recipe as a launching point, but then made the following additions on my next batch:

-made a lemongrass tincture first, then added it to the mix for a more concentrated (but subtle) flavor
-doubled the lime zest
-added microplaned apple peel and clove for a more autumn-y feel for my bar’s fall cocktails.

The additions made it less suited for a traditional gin and tonic, but has had numerous other applications!

Thanks for all the inspiration, Jeff!

]]> By: Beau http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/comment-page-4/#comment-380035 Beau Tue, 08 Nov 2011 03:46:35 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/#comment-380035 Didn't have time to read all the entries, but it seems folks are worried about getting a clear, or non opaque, extraction. Anyone try boiling some irish moss in the batch like one would to avoid a murky beer? The moss helps the solution coagulate, making the settling process much more effective. I'm going to try a batch, I'll post if it improves the clarity. Wine finings might work as well... Didn’t have time to read all the entries, but it seems folks are worried about getting a clear, or non opaque, extraction. Anyone try boiling some irish moss in the batch like one would to avoid a murky beer? The moss helps the solution coagulate, making the settling process much more effective. I’m going to try a batch, I’ll post if it improves the clarity. Wine finings might work as well…

]]> By: Roslyn http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/comment-page-4/#comment-373480 Roslyn Sat, 29 Oct 2011 23:26:51 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/#comment-373480 I zested & juiced 2 lemons, 2 oranges & 2 limes then tossed them all in with everything else & the 4 cups/water in my most recent batch. It makes a very citrusy tonic which my family loves, though probably not to everyone's taste. I put my recipe on my quilting blog & got some interested responders & sent them to this website. I just ordered the cinchona bark un- powdered so I am keen to make another batch & see if there will be enough bitterness and less particulate in the final product. I zested & juiced 2 lemons, 2 oranges & 2 limes then tossed them all in with everything else & the 4 cups/water in my most recent batch. It makes a very citrusy tonic which my family loves, though probably not to everyone’s taste. I put my recipe on my quilting blog & got some interested responders & sent them to this website. I just ordered the cinchona bark un- powdered so I am keen to make another batch & see if there will be enough bitterness and less particulate in the final product.

]]> By: noskos http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/comment-page-4/#comment-373414 noskos Sat, 29 Oct 2011 21:48:00 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/#comment-373414 Enjoying a gin and tonic now, the gin is No.3 and the tonic water is this recipe. Love it, so much better than the commercial stuff! Thanks a lot for sharing! Enjoying a gin and tonic now, the gin is No.3 and the tonic water is this recipe. Love it, so much better than the commercial stuff!
Thanks a lot for sharing!

]]> By: Will http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/comment-page-4/#comment-351057 Will Fri, 30 Sep 2011 11:50:02 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/#comment-351057 Thanks Jeff! Awesome Recipe. I'm trying to train my taste buds to like tonic water..(Store Bought) The recipe tastes a lot better than what you get at a bar or store. Cheers! Thanks Jeff! Awesome Recipe. I’m trying to train my taste buds to like tonic water..(Store Bought)

The recipe tastes a lot better than what you get at a bar or store.

Cheers!

]]> By: Spencer http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/comment-page-4/#comment-292270 Spencer Tue, 19 Jul 2011 20:34:59 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/#comment-292270 Hey Jeff, got any tips for us [underage] weirdos that like drinking tonic water without any gin in it? I don't want to impose my sacrilege on your holy drink combo, but the tips on what to beef up to match with what gin, those are a bit useless to me... Anyways, I love the site, and I'm going to have to try half this stuff... :D Hey Jeff, got any tips for us [underage] weirdos that like drinking tonic water without any gin in it? I don’t want to impose my sacrilege on your holy drink combo, but the tips on what to beef up to match with what gin, those are a bit useless to me… Anyways, I love the site, and I’m going to have to try half this stuff… :D

]]> By: ginny http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/comment-page-4/#comment-285938 ginny Mon, 11 Jul 2011 22:22:40 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/#comment-285938 thanks Jeff! recipe worked like a charm! thanks Jeff! recipe worked like a charm!

]]> By: Suzy http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/comment-page-4/#comment-283388 Suzy Fri, 08 Jul 2011 16:24:52 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/#comment-283388 I have the ingredients and I'm rarin' to go. I have the actual bark (aka Quina -- Quina Peel) made by GroMex that I got at a Mexican grocery store. I figured it would save the filtering steps. My question -- what is the equivalent amount to use of the bark form versus the powdered form? Thanks! I have the ingredients and I’m rarin’ to go. I have the actual bark (aka Quina — Quina Peel) made by GroMex that I got at a Mexican grocery store. I figured it would save the filtering steps.

My question — what is the equivalent amount to use of the bark form versus the powdered form?

Thanks!

]]> By: Michele http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/comment-page-4/#comment-281929 Michele Thu, 07 Jul 2011 20:16:23 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/#comment-281929 Ryan, We bottled some infused Vodka once and got some really cool glass bottles that had ceramic & rubber stoppers at Storeables. I'm sure you could order them on line if you don't have a store in your area. Ryan,
We bottled some infused Vodka once and got some really cool glass bottles that had ceramic & rubber stoppers at Storeables. I’m sure you could order them on line if you don’t have a store in your area.

]]> By: Ian http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/comment-page-4/#comment-281912 Ian Thu, 07 Jul 2011 20:10:03 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/#comment-281912 Ok, so I just realized that it's silly to assume that anybody reading this should be in Eugene—I'm sure Jeffrey's following is pretty widespread at this point (as it should be!). But I hope those tips prove useful for somebody; I like those stores :-) Ok, so I just realized that it’s silly to assume that anybody reading this should be in Eugene—I’m sure Jeffrey’s following is pretty widespread at this point (as it should be!). But I hope those tips prove useful for somebody; I like those stores :-)

]]> By: Ian http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/comment-page-4/#comment-281901 Ian Thu, 07 Jul 2011 20:03:07 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/#comment-281901 Ryan - If you're in Eugene, I recommend checking out the Down to Earth at 5th and Olive—they've got a great selection of fun bottles in all shapes and sizes. For something a bit more vintage, you might check out Oak Street Vintage (14th and Oak); I seem to remember them having a nice variety of funky bottles and decanters. Ryan – If you’re in Eugene, I recommend checking out the Down to Earth at 5th and Olive—they’ve got a great selection of fun bottles in all shapes and sizes. For something a bit more vintage, you might check out Oak Street Vintage (14th and Oak); I seem to remember them having a nice variety of funky bottles and decanters.

]]> By: Roslyn http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/comment-page-4/#comment-281897 Roslyn Thu, 07 Jul 2011 20:01:55 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/#comment-281897 Try eBay lots of vintage bottles & even some soda syphons. Try eBay lots of vintage bottles & even some soda syphons.

]]> By: Ryan Pedersen http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/comment-page-4/#comment-281630 Ryan Pedersen Thu, 07 Jul 2011 16:41:55 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/#comment-281630 I am planning on bottling this recipe for my friend's upcoming 30th birthday since he is a big time Gin and Tonic drinker. Any suggestions for me on where to find a bottle to put it in? Something vintage/unique would be awesome! Thanks I am planning on bottling this recipe for my friend’s upcoming 30th birthday since he is a big time Gin and Tonic drinker. Any suggestions for me on where to find a bottle to put it in? Something vintage/unique would be awesome!

Thanks

]]> By: Michele http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/comment-page-4/#comment-277883 Michele Tue, 05 Jul 2011 17:01:40 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/how-to-make-your-own-tonic-water/#comment-277883 I have wanted to try out your recepie for a year now and this summer I am finally going to do it! My reasons for wanting to make my own tonic are far different. I HATE how quicky tonic goes flat. I can't stand flat gin & tonics in bars either. My husband just bought me the ISI siphon so now I can stop waisting all my money on store bought tonic. I am such a bubbles snob. It goes flat immediately even in the small bottles. I can't wait to make my own. I go to Portland often from Seattle. I'd love to come to the bar. What is it called and where is it? I have wanted to try out your recepie for a year now and this summer I am finally going to do it! My reasons for wanting to make my own tonic are far different. I HATE how quicky tonic goes flat. I can’t stand flat gin & tonics in bars either. My husband just bought me the ISI siphon so now I can stop waisting all my money on store bought tonic. I am such a bubbles snob. It goes flat immediately even in the small bottles. I can’t wait to make my own. I go to Portland often from Seattle. I’d love to come to the bar. What is it called and where is it?

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