Brew guide · Recipe · Updated 2026-09-03
Espresso & Tonic: The Café Drink Guide
The simplest café drink to make at home — espresso plus tonic water. Here's the ratio, the glass, and the variations that make it work.
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Step by step
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What is espresso and tonic?(Concept)
A drink that became a UK café staple in 2018-2022. Espresso (30ml, 1:2 ratio) poured over cold tonic water. The bitterness of coffee cuts the sweetness of tonic. Served over ice with a lime wedge. Simple, refreshing, 60 calories per serving.
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The basic recipe(Recipe)
1. Pull 30ml espresso (18g in, 36g out, 25-30 seconds) into a small glass or tulip. 2. Add 90ml cold tonic water (Fever-Tree, 1724, or supermarket premium). 3. Stir gently — the crema will mix and create a layered effect. 4. Add ice. 5. Garnish with lime wedge. Total time: 90 seconds.
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The ratio matters(Technique)
1:3 (espresso:tonic) is the standard. Too much tonic = weak coffee taste. Too little = undrinkable bitterness. For a stronger drink: 1:2 (40ml espresso : 80ml tonic). For a lighter drink: 1:4. Adjust to your taste and your espresso's strength.
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Glassware — why it matters(Equipment)
A tall, narrow glass (tulip or highball, 200-250ml) keeps the carbonation longer. A wide bowl lets CO2 escape faster. The classic is a stemmed tulip — it looks like a pint of Guinness with crema on top. Any tall glass works; presentation is the only difference.
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Tonic water choice(Ingredients)
Fever-Tree Mediterranean (£1.80/bottle) — best balance, real botanicals. 1724 (£1.20) — less bitter, more sweet. Supermarket premium (£0.80) — works, less complexity. Avoid cheap tonic (£0.40) — it's mostly sugar and artificial flavour. The tonic is 50% of the drink.
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Coffee choice(Ingredients)
Use a bright, fruity espresso — not a dark chocolate roast. Ethiopian, Kenyan, or a light-roast blend. The fruitiness complements the tonic's botanicals. A dark roast (Lavazza Super Crema) makes it taste like coffee-flavoured soda. Light roast wins.
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Variations(Recipe)
Americano & Tonic: use 60ml espresso + 180ml tonic (double the coffee). Cold Brew & Tonic: use 60ml cold brew concentrate + 120ml tonic (smoother, less bitter). Gin & Tonic with coffee: 30ml espresso + 30ml gin + 90ml tonic (a brunch cocktail). Orange & Tonic: add 30ml orange juice for a breakfast twist.
Barista tips
- Use bright, fruity espresso — not a dark roast.
- Fever-Tree Mediterranean tonic is the gold standard.
- Tall, narrow glass preserves carbonation.
- Pull a fresh shot — stale espresso in tonic water is undrinkable.
- 1:3 ratio is the starting point. Adjust to your taste.
Gear for this brew
The best espresso machine under £300 — slim, fast and shockingly capable once you add a decent grinder.
The pour-over benchmark. Cheap, beautiful and brutally honest about your technique.
Frequently asked questions
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